Since 2018, Awasi has hosted visiting artists at our three Relais & Chateaux luxury lodges to showcase the stunning natural beauty of the surroundings and inspire creativity and artistry within.

Located in some of South America’s most iconic landscapes, inspiration from the natural world flows freely; whether it is the thick, lush Atlantic Rainforests of northern Argentina, the epic expanses of Chilean Patagonia, or the parched beauty of the Atacama Desert, an awakening of the mind beckons.

For example, the jewellery designer, Alexandra Khouri, created a bespoke Awasi collection after spending her honeymoon at the 14 villa Awasi Patagonia, built on to a hillside overlooking the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine towers. 

Awasi Patagonia is situated on a private reserve overlooking the iconic Torres del Paine

In 2021 Awasi decided to formalise these collaborations into artist residencies, known as Awasi Artist Immersions.

Different artists are invited to stay at an Awasi property to immerse and envelope themselves in the natural world. The stay is designed to stimulate and inspire creative works with a sense of place; the founding principle of the programme is that art and nature are two elements indispensable for the subsistence of the human spirit.

Our first formal Awasi Artist Immersion was with dancer and choreographer Teresa Marcaida, who created a performance inspired by – and featuring – the waters of the Iguazú Falls.

Teresa Marcaida, one of the first artists in residence, performing a dance she choreographed

Many of the artists’ creations reflect the beauty, and the vulnerability, of the unique landscapes in which the hotels are situated, and often even make use of materials foraged on site; an ever-present expression of the sights, textures and essence of the land from which they are born.

The striking red earth of Misiones, which has inspired so many of our visiting artists

Matías de Cristóbal, Director General of Awasi, summarises the ethos that led to the creation of the Awasi Artist Immersion: “In the most pristine places, it can be a humbling experience to realise that we, as human beings, are a part of nature and do not just coexist alongside it.”

“It’s when we connect more deeply with nature that we may also discover a missing part of ourselves. This type of travel exposes us to new cultures, landscapes, and realities… often forging lifelong memories that shape the way we think.”

The program is an opportunity for artists to truly get to know their location, and to give them time for the sense of place to infuse and permeate before emerging in a new creation.

The forest surrounding the Awasi Iguazú is as a much a part of the building as its foundations

Artists invited on the Awasi Artist Immersion stay for five days at one of the Awasi properties. Every assistance is provided to allow them to discover, explore and fully connect with the local wilderness, through education and excursions.

Before the artist begins their week-long immersion, a series of private talks are organised. Our expert guides teach the artists about the location, its history, and the surrounding natural world, whether that is the Atlantic Rainforest, Southern Patagonia, or the Atacama Desert.

The talks are tailored to the artist’s interests as they begin to develop a preliminary plan to make the most of their stay. 

As with all guests, Artist Immersion stays are fully personalised. Each visitor – artist or not – is allocated their own private guide with a 4WD vehicle so that excursions are crafted around the needs, preferences and tempo of each guest, and fully tailored to the individual.

All stays are fully inclusive, so accommodation, all meals from the Relais & Châteaux restaurant and private excursions are covered as part of a visit.

Getting lost under the big sky of the Atacama Desert is an important part of the process

Making fieldnotes

The five-night stay at an Awasi property allows a profound sense of immersion in the local environment to stimulate creativity.

Artists are encouraged to document their adventures, discoveries, and anything that captivates their attention in a way that most inspires them. This could be done through sketches, drawings, paintings, or by taking notes, videos and photographs.

Artists’ materials are specific and personal, so Awasi does not provide them, but the guiding team are on hand if assistance is needed – to help collect materials, for example, lead artists to hidden spots, or even help film and document the artistry itself.

Many of the artists are inspired by local artisans and traditional handicrafts

The projects, writings and collections of works produced by these stays are deeply varied, but one thing they have in common is a firm grounding in the local environment.

Artists often leave behind art pieces at the hotels, allowing guests to discover how the journey they are undertaking has inspired others. These become features in the lounges, dining rooms and villas, adding to the richness of experience for future visitors.

Josefina Stagnaro’s delicate sculptures perched in the rainforest that inspired them

The Awasi Artist Immersion was founded upon the principle of using art to promote and protect the natural world.

Awasi is deeply committed to environmental conservation, celebrating the local area’s cultural heritage, and seeking opportunities to allow for societal empowerment.

Awasi encourages its artists to get to know others that have participated in the Awasi Artist Immersion; our aim is to build a strong and supportive community.

With that endeavour in mind, we recently organised Awasi Art Week by LabVerde, in which various artists came together for a stay at Awasi Iguazú. It was a resounding success, inspiring the artists to collaborate and produce even more creations; art, begets art, begets art.