Abstract
This article introduces the Ph.D. studies of its authors, who put into question the bridge between utopia and the reality experienced at the Mindelo_International School of Art (Mindelo_Escola Internacional de Arte – M_EIA), legally known as the University Institute of Art, Technology, and Culture [Instituto Universitário de Arte, Tecnologia e Cultura], the first Higher Education space in the areas of arts and design in Cape Verde, constituting a singular, irreverent, project in the struggle for art education practices informed by decolonized policies. Created in 2004, this utopian project sent its anchors out to the practices, promoting the country’s culture and development, by means of a relationship with the Atelier Mar’s local development projects, consolidating a long experience in the art education area. Tensions arise between expectations about the experimental and local nature of the M_EIA and its regulation and (non-)conformity with hegemonic knowledge in art education or development models foreign to the Cape Verdean reality.
Highlights
The authors of this article have pursued their Ph.D. studies at the Mindelo_International School of Art (Mindelo_Escola Internacional de Arte – M_EIA), legally known as the University Institute of Art, Technology, and Culture [Instituto Universitário de Arte, Tecnologia e Cultura], an art school created by Atelier Mar, a Cape Verdean non-governmental organization (NGO)
In close contact with Cape Verdean identity and reality, the M_EIA does not reject ‘Western’ knowledge, but this is addressed in projects along with local practices, appreciating the human and material resources available to seek better and fairer ways of living
The proposal of this article is presenting our Ph.D. studies in art education, which put into question the bridge between utopia and the reality experienced at the M_EIA, in order to understand how utopia influences everyday practices
Summary
Atelier Mar emerged at a historical moment defined by a one-party regime installed after the end of Portuguese colonization (Cape Verde gained independence in 1975). The mission of this NGO was clearly identified with the idea of reconstructing the country, as well as tackling the effects of the post-independence regime – African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (Partido Africano para a Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde – PAIGC). In close contact with Cape Verdean identity and reality, the M_EIA does not reject ‘Western’ knowledge, but this is addressed in projects along with local practices, appreciating the human and material resources available to seek better and fairer ways of living
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