Associated Artists Marileni Vourtsi [AA 24-25] and Otis Thaïs Martin [AA 23-24] took part in an international residency at Nau Ivanow in Barcelona from 4 to 25 May 2026.

During these three weeks, they lived and worked together at Nau Ivanow, developing their respective projects while immersing themselves in the venue and Barcelona’s social and cultural context. In particular, they were able to visit several cultural institutions and venues, attend shows, and meet other artists and people from the region.

Thaïs Otis Martin is a trapeze artist and clown. Born close to a circus school in Geneva, he specialised in fixed trapeze, then went on to join the professional training programme at the Lyon Circus School. At the same time, she learnt clowning with Alexandre Bordier, Eric Blouet and Sky de Sela, and discovered aerial suspension while working with the June Cie. Thaïs has worked with Cie Le Bestiaire à Pampilles, Sale Bête Prod, Cirque des Petites Natures and La Grue, as well as with Super Collectif, which he co-founded in 2021. He also draws when his hands aren't busy hanging, and is a certified hypnotherapist. After several years working for other companies, she is currently starting research for a solo that will combine trapeze, clown and floor movement.

During this residency, he was able to experiment in two different spaces: a rehearsal room, where he mainly worked on the floor, and the theatre, where a trapeze had been set up. This arrangement allowed him to alternate between floor work and exploring the trapeze.

Marileni Vourtsi is an artist and designer working at the intersection of installation and video. With a Master’s in Space and Communication Design from HEAD and a Bachelor’s in Interior Architecture from Athens, her work is inspired by her experience in the artistic direction of short films and performances. She is currently researching the concept of the "fake" to create visual narratives in space. By creating sculptures or stage props that are sometimes displayed as archives and then filming them, she explores falsification as a way to transcend imposed norms. She is the recipient of the 2024 FCAC Grant for her project False Lab. She is now developing her vision of public spatial installation with her collective NoMatter.

During the residency, she continued her research in connection with exhibitions and screenings she attended outside the residency. In particular, she explored themes related to image theory and searched for a visual language that would allow her to establish links between images, text and performance. She also explored the concept of expanded cinema.

The artists were able to share their work with the general public during l’Observatori en Viu, an experience they found particularly enriching.
This residency provided them with the time, space and support necessary to develop their creative process, while also creating opportunities for meeting and dialogue around their artistic practices.