Elisabete Finger about Sua Cia
Where do they meet?
I'm talking about “Sua Cia” (“your company”), composed of Clara Trigo, Thais Bandeira, Nathalia Valério and Eduardo Pinheiro. They met in Salvador Bahia, and nowadays they work in a studio and have an office lent by some kind of institution (or something like this). They also have a virtual space where they share information with other groups or people who are interested in contemporary art.
Who is the leader, and does everyone share his/her vision?
There is no leader, each one is acting according to his or her special and specific ability. I feel Clara and Nathalia are really dedicated to communication activities, while Thais and Eduardo are more engaged in artistic production. They all have a strong common artistic and political vision focused on producing art in collaboration, organizing artistic meetings and doing what they call “creative connections”. There is a remarkable change in the history of this group that is reflected in its name. Some years ago they called themselves “sua cia de dança” (“your dance company”), and nowadays the word “dance” has disappeared. They explain that finally they are interested in art in a larger sense, and they are proposing their “creative connections” in a very open way.
Where does their money come from?
They have different money sources … like all independent artists in Brazil, they have to deal with huge financial instability. I think that they mainly get money from government funds or from awards given by private institutions for specific projects. I don't know if they have any regular support for daily activities of the group. Some of them are also teaching (dance, pilates, etc.).
Do they do what they say that they do?
I think they do even more than they say that they do. They are really devoted to building a creative context around them. They produce artworks and propose many events which are strengthening the relations between art (and artists) and the social field in which they are acting. Recently they managed to produce some videos proposing discussions around contemporary art with both artists and non-artists interviewed on the streets. These videos have been shown on a popular channel in Brazilian television. They also work for Red Sudamericana de Danza (http://www.movimiento.org/), to unite different artists from South America.
How do they differ from a group therapy?
They are almost like a family (Eduardo and Clara are married and have a child). It's not hard to realize that the group's relation is based on affection, respect and love, and for me it is obviously the basis of their work's strength. But much more than feeling good as friends they manage to change their environment through art, and this again benefits others.
The name of the emerging artists' initiative you were talking about?
I'm talking about “Sua Cia” – www.suacia.blogspot.com.
And the one you are part of?
And I'm part of Cauliflower Mini Wordwide Artistic Community (www.couve-flor.org) and Inconsumivel.
