Residencies Detail

Residency of Thomas Ott

hosted by Waking Life
Participating countries:
  • Belgium
  • Finland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Architecture
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
© Rubén Salgado Escudero

Period

  • From 01-02-2024 to 31-05-2024
Generation #2

Address

Flor de Rosa
Portugal

Project summary

The Land Art residency explores the possibility of creating spatial design installations that seamlessly blend into the landscape. The artist is invited to immerse themselves into the different elements of the festival site (sounds, flora and fauna, wind, sun…), exchange with local inhabitants and learn about the history of the land where they will develop the project. In this creation process, locally sourced materials and traditional building techniques will be applied. The residency will involve mentorship from experts in natural building, sound research, and agroforestry to guide the artist-in-residence in developing conscious landscape designs with a focus on regeneration and well-being practices.
© Rubén Salgado Escudero

Artist

Thomas Ott

Biography: Ott builds natural sculptures as a form of self-healing, contemplation, connection and creative compulsion through giant, detailed pieces. He builds natural shelters, cocoons and nests with a focus on weaving dried Eucalyptus bark, reeds, and clay.
His main works reside in Waking Life but are also found in Berlin, Brussels, Ghent, and Porto. At age six he collected flora, built natural playgrounds and hyper-focused on advanced technical LEGOs.
His art contrasts geometrical NYC and Milan his homes for six years highlighting his focus: A reconnection to nature in times of hyper-materialism. He is inspired by bohemia and music in Ghent, while studying sound engineering. After years struggling with depression alongside a neurodivergent brain he is able to express his inner world through art.
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  1. DSCF3867.jpeg
    EFFEA Story: Thomas Ott

    Residency of Thomas Ott, hosted by Waking Life in partnership with Horst, Solstice Festival & Roots