Land Art with Kees
Go on a personal adventure with your own "self" and intuition to become aware that we are all part of "nature." Learn to create Land Art with a well-known painter, sculptor, and Land Art artist, overlooking a lake and 30 minutes from a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1300
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $780
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $450
- Additional guest(s)
- USD $375
Meet the Artist
Kees is a painter, stone sculptor, and Land Art artist whose works have been exhibited worldwide. His partner, Carmen, is a well-known Mexican abstract painter and ceramist native to Morelia. Together they've built their studio in front of a beautiful lake in Umécuaro, making it the ideal green and creative environment to live and work.
Before moving to Mexico, Kees studied Landscape Architecture in the Netherlands, followed by 35 years in Japan, learning about Japanese art and abstract gardens. As a result, he developed expertise in creating abstract spaces and has been involved in Land Art for many years. His Land interventions evolve from various artistic disciplines, including stone sculpture, installation art, painting, and photography.
For Kees, art allows for freedom. He believes that we are all born with basic primitive and intuitive senses, which, for various reasons, keep slumbering inside many of us. Returning to nature and being in direct contact with the natural environment can awaken and sharpen these innate senses. The experience of creating Land Art will be a personal encounter with your own "self" and intuition to become aware that we are all part of "nature."
Before moving to Mexico, Kees studied Landscape Architecture in the Netherlands, followed by 35 years in Japan, learning about Japanese art and abstract gardens. As a result, he developed expertise in creating abstract spaces and has been involved in Land Art for many years. His Land interventions evolve from various artistic disciplines, including stone sculpture, installation art, painting, and photography.
For Kees, art allows for freedom. He believes that we are all born with basic primitive and intuitive senses, which, for various reasons, keep slumbering inside many of us. Returning to nature and being in direct contact with the natural environment can awaken and sharpen these innate senses. The experience of creating Land Art will be a personal encounter with your own "self" and intuition to become aware that we are all part of "nature."
VAWAA Includes:
- Immersing in nature and creating your own land art.
- Renewing the five senses and awareness that we are all part of “nature”.
- Exploring natural surroundings to select a site.
- Sketching ideas and securing natural materials to create such as earth and clay, branches and plant materials, stones, sisal ropes etc.
- Working with various materials, construction and fastening techniques to secure a safe and stable outcome.
- Transporting and placing the Land Art on pre-selected public site where they will be documented and left to deteriorate over time.
- Visiting the Paricutin Volcano church ruins, the remains of a Mexican village destroyed by a volcano.
- Option to visit a historic pyramid site, a village known for its copper craftsmanship or a magical pueblo nearby.
Stay at Kees's
Stay in Kees and Carmen's guest cabin above the studio. It includes 4 individual beds, a comfortable and roomy main living space, dining area, small kitchen with appliances, and private bathroom. The cabin is accessible by stairs outside the ceramic studio and has a roof terrace with a splendid view. All meals are included (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as well as snacks, coffee, and tea. Plus, they have a cat and dog. If you're looking for a calming space surrounded with nature and by a lake, this is for you!
Explore Umécuaro
Umécuaro is a small, rural village 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level, located among gorgeous mountains, where cows, chickens, and other animals walk around freely. It is 30 minutes away from the capital city of Morelia, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial architecture and layout of the historic center. During your stay, be sure to visit the beautiful pueblos nearby, like Patzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan, and Santa Clara del Cobre, which are full of color, tradition, and local crafts. Kees's studio is surrounded by nature, just in front of a lake. He finds this rural setting necessary for the creation of his artworks.
Additional Details
A good time to visit Mexico is during the Day of the Dead (October 30th - November 2nd). The hottest month of the year tends to be May, while July is rainy with cool nights. It's best to avoid the Easter holidays as many businesses close.
This VAWAA is available for a longer duration, up to 14 days. Please ask when you submit your booking request.
You’ll be around a friendly dog and cat. If you are allergic to these animals, please bring suitable medication before you arrive.
Kees speaks English, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
This VAWAA is available for a longer duration, up to 14 days. Please ask when you submit your booking request.
You’ll be around a friendly dog and cat. If you are allergic to these animals, please bring suitable medication before you arrive.
Kees speaks English, Dutch, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Guest Reviews
Cin B., United States
I went to Morelia to learn about Land (Earth) Art from a world renowned artist. I came home with so much more. Every day was an inspiring, hands on experience that deepened my understanding of life in general. Kees has a beautiful style of leading with questions that guide you to a level that you weren't aware that you could achieve. Kees was open to any suggestions for experiencing local culture, Read more
Leonardo M., United States
Everything I was hoping for. Working while immersed in beautiful landscapes, modest and comfortable lodging, home cooked meals, and positive exposure to some of the sociopolitical background of the land we were working on. Kees does a fantastic job of guiding the development of ideas without imposing his own influences, demonstrating the possibilities of the materials around, and helping with cons Read more
