Following the signing of the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between THE MINISTRY OF CULTURES, ARTS, AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGES OF COLOMBIA & BERLIN ART INSTITUTE to join efforts to develop cultural and artistic cooperation ties and to promote intercultural dialogue, artist Mónica Naranjo Uribe was selected for the residency in Block 01: 01/05 – 01/30/2026 & Block 02: 02/02 – 02/27/2026 of the BAI Studio Program.
After the Open Call Colombia en el Mundo: Portafolio Cultural Internacional, THE MINISTRY OF CULTURES provided a shortlist of finalists from which Mónica was selected after a review and interview process.
“The residencies at the Berlin Art Institute were an extraordinary experience for the talented Colombian artists who took part and a powerful example of what international cultural cooperation can achieve. Through the partnership between the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Traditional Knowledge and the Berlin Art Institute, the artists were able to develop their work within one of Europe’s most dynamic contemporary art ecosystems, strengthening intercultural dialogue and opening new pathways for Colombian art to connect with international artistic networks.” (Carolina Ethel Martínez, Head of Cooperation and International Affairs, Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Traditional Knowledge of Colombia)
More information on THE MINISTRY OF CULTURES, ARTS, AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGES OF COLOMBIA Website.
About the artist
Monica Naranjo Uribe (Berlin, 1980) lives and works in Medellin, Colombia.
Mónica Naranjo Uribe’s artistic practice focuses on exploring the mineral world, combining different perspectives of knowledge and thought within her research and enriching this process through direct experiences in diverse territories and contexts. She began by studying rocks, then moved to caves and underground formations, and more recently has concentrated on crystals.
Her portfolio and selected works can be found at: www.monicanaranjou.info.
Studio Program Art Residency project focus at BAI
Project title: TRUST A MINERAL WHEN IT SPEAKS ABOUT TIME (Confía en un mineral cuando te hable del tiempo)
This project began with a review of the technology behind precision timekeeping, which relies on quartz crystals, and revisits time measured through quartz from a poetic perspective, reflecting on humanity’s obsession with measuring time and the relationship between human time and mineral (geological) time.
During the residency, the project’s research approach included visits to mineral collections and specialized libraries, exploration of quartz specimens in university collections and Berlin’s Natural History Museum, and conversations with local experts. The project also proposed the development of an audiovisual piece, using photographic/audiovisual material and expanding it through urban elements and studio experimentation.
“During my two-month residency at the Berlin Art Institute Studio Program, I was able to focus on my project while allowing the new environment and Berlin’s winter influence my creative process. Being immersed in such a culturally stimulating city as Berlin also helped me better situate my artistic practice and professional interests. Among the parallel activities organized by the Institute, I especially appreciated the visiting artist critiques, visits to local art spaces (including presentations by their owners), and the opportunity to learn about the different creative processes of the other international artists part of the Studio Program. Thanks to the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Traditional Knowledges of Colombia for making this great opportunity possible.” (Mónica Naranjo Uribe, artist, Medellín, Colombia)
After the residency: co-responsibility activity in Colombia
To share the experience and creative process developed during her residency at BAI, Mónica proposed a participatory conversation with invited local scientists (geology, physics, chemistry), open to the public, local artists, and students, combined with a hands-on workshop using simple experiments to explore the properties of crystals and encourage dialogue between art and science in Medellín.
As strategic partners for this event, she proposed collaboration with Parque Explora Science Museum, Colombian Geological Society – Antioquia, and the Museum of Modern Art Medellín (Education Department) (as stated in her proposal).
