Memories II – the roots of CASAdelDRAGON in Castellon, Spain

casadeldragon - memories - the view of the dragon - facing the north north east - as part of a sculpture on top of the artist residence
casadeldragon – memories – the view of the dragon – facing the north north east – as part of a sculpture on top of the artist residence

It is and has always been a challenge to keep the artist residency CASAdelDRAGON open for guests and activities. Decoupled from public funding, every action, no matter how small, is a big task. On the other hand, what has been and is being achieved under these circumstances is a success story and sustainable, since it is not dependent on political sensitivities or depends on the monetary drip of lobbyists.

casadeldragon - memories - the artist residence and think tank of social art in Castellon
casadeldragon – memories – the artist residence and think tank of social art in Castellon

The artist residence and think tank in early spring at 12 o’clock.

The dragon’s house is a gallery and workroom and offers 17 beds. It is inhabited by people who come together to participate in a social sculpture. Art is one reason to come, another is health, education, politics or economics. At the beginning of 2020, the house also became a place of refuge, rest and meeting of people who had left in very compact Echo Chambers. CASAdelDRAGON as a place to meet, to build bridges and to approach, a place to experiment, with the option of failing and starting again.

casadeldragon - memories - the German artist Jo Pellenz in his second visit of the artist residence
casadeldragon – memories – the German artist Jo Pellenz in his second visit of the artist residence

Jo Pellenz is certainly one of the most important contemporary artists from the cathedral city of Cologne. He has visited the artists’ residence several times and left clear traces in the art and culture of the village of Cervera del Maestre. His magnificent installation in the Ermita Sant Sebastian with over 650 unique paper figures remains unforgotten.

casadeldragon - memories - a detial of the Casa Pacha Mama in Cervera del Maestre - a second destination of art in the beautiful village in Castellon
casadeldragon – memories – a detial of the Casa Pacha Mama in Cervera del Maestre – a second destination of art in the beautiful village in Castellon

The second building in the mountain village of Cervera del Maestre, which is dedicated to art, is called CASA PACHA MAMA. Inconspicuous in a small street in the middle of the village, it shows a facade with mosaic and sculpture. You have to be almost exactly in front of it to see this facade. It was inaugurated in the vuelta del Arte in 2009 with an installation by the Mexican artist Rosana Velasquez.

casadeldragon - memories - detail of the first exhibition in the dragon house gallery in Cervera del Maestre Castellon Spain
casadeldragon – memories – detail of the first exhibition in the dragon house gallery in Cervera del Maestre Castellon Spain

The CASAdelDRAGON is dedicated to social art. At the opening of the first exhibition, the artist Juan Petry asked his guests to write down words that they wanted to give the place as “good wishes” along the way.

casadeldragon - memories - Neigungsgruppe Strom - core team of the helpers to open the first time the gallery of the artist residence
casadeldragon – memories – Neigungsgruppe Strom – core team of the helpers to open the first time the gallery of the artist residence

More than 150 people from all over the world helped to rebuild the house. In over 20 years they have rebuilt a 750 year old stone house and filled it with life. In the preparations for the first exhibition after 20 years of construction, these two friends in the “Electronics inclination group” helped assemble the installation for the professional lighting system. The material (ERCO – rails and lights) comes from a former department store in Isalohn (Germany) and was only purchased 6 weeks before the opening of the exhibition.

casadeldragon - memories - David Sales - friend and construction worker in final steps to finish the gallery space
casadeldragon – memories – David Sales – friend and construction worker in final steps to finish the gallery space

It was always the declared goal to bring the activities of CASAdelDRAGON together with the people of the region. The builder David Sales, friend, companion of the Casa and specialist in old building materials, helped to prepare the rooms of the gallery.

casadeldragon - memories - Heide Schultz - friend and core helper and supporter of the artist residence working on a 750 year old wall in the gallery
casadeldragon – memories – Heide Schultz – friend and core helper and supporter of the artist residence working on a 750 year old wall in the gallery

Heide Schultz should be named as one of many helpers and should be remembered. She has supported the activities of the casa for years and of course also helped in the preparation of the first exhibition.

casadeldragon - memories - Margret - friend and core helper of the artist residence working for the finish of the gallery space
casadeldragon – memories – Margret – friend and core helper of the artist residence working for the finish of the gallery space

The floors of the natural bulges of the back walls are laid with river stones from the RAMBLA CERVERA. Margret had helped collect these stones and contributed a lot to the fact that we were able to open the first exhibition on time, three and a half years after we announced this vernissage!

casadeldragon - memories - installation detail of the gallery space - thanks to Björn working without any errors since more than 15 years
casadeldragon – memories – installation detail of the gallery space – thanks to Björn working without any errors since more than 15 years

This is a detail from the construction period. The cable harnesses all lead to a junction box that brings together all the house electrics. Thanks to Björn, a Cologne street artist and electrician, this installation is still working today without any failures.

casadeldragon - memories - living room of the artist residence - waiting for floor and finish - donated wooden beams from WESTERWALD
casadeldragon – memories – living room of the artist residence – waiting for floor and finish – donated wooden beams from WESTERWALD

The photo shows today’s living room of the CASAdelDRAGON, today a meeting place. Since then, more than 2000 (!!) visitors have entered this room, students, pupils, artists, creative people from all over the world.

casadeldragon - memories - peter buch and jo pellenz in dialog
casadeldragon – memories – peter buch and jo pellenz in dialog

CASAdelDRAGON is also networked with other important art venues in the region. A friend and mentor in the field of sculpture is Peter Buch (left). His “Jardi de Peter” is an impressive destination for the region’s contemporary art.

All these photos – and another 100 – were shown together for the first time in an installation in the rocket club in Cologne’s southern part. This was a social art event, a personal celebration and a music and theater event with Dj Joachim (DREAMS Koblenz) and many guests.

These photos will also be published as part of the Artsurprise art project and as part of an installation in Colorgarden, the CASAdelDRAGON campus.