Talleres Telecom: William Contreras-Alfonso on Bogotá's Artist-Run Space and Colombia's Shifting Art Scene
In the interview series «Otras infraestructuras» by esferapública, William Contreras-Alfonso talks about Talleres Telecom, a project led by artists in Bogotá, developed alongside Linda Pongutá and others. Their engagement with the old Telecom building started in 2014, culminating in the exhibition Telecom, which Contreras-Alfonso curated in 2018. In 2024, they introduced NULL, featuring more than twenty site-specific artworks, backed by Apexart. After NULL, the space transformed into Talleres Telecom, where artists conduct events, performances, and exhibitions. Contreras-Alfonso observes a trend towards increased professionalization and diversity in the artist-run landscape. Talleres Telecom works with over 50 artists, including María Leguizamo and Andrea Mendoza, and has the support of the building's owner, located at Cra 13a # 22-54, Bogotá.
Key facts
- esferapública published the second installment of its «Otras infraestructuras» interview series, featuring William Contreras-Alfonso on Talleres Telecom.
- Linda Pongutá began entering the former Telecom building in Bogotá in 2014 and developed a sculptural and conceptual investigation on one of its floors.
- That investigation was exhibited in the same building in 2018 as Telecom, curated by William Contreras-Alfonso.
- In 2024, Pongutá and Contreras-Alfonso proposed NULL, with more than twenty artists creating site-specific work supported by Apexart of New York.
- After NULL, artists began using several floors as workshops and adopted the name Talleres Telecom, hosting events, performances, residencies and exhibitions.
- Talleres Telecom comprises more than 50 artists; its most active operations group includes María Leguizamo, Linda Pongutá, Andrea Mendoza, Juan Betancourt, Matilde Guerrero and David Medina.
- Contreras-Alfonso cited «miles de veces», Rosa (gallery of Adriana Martínez and Bobby Cruz, from Nuevo Miami, now at ARTBO) and Espacio Odeón as examples of diversified artist-run proposals.
- The space is located at Cra 13a # 22-54, Bogotá, and relies on the building owner's generosity and modest rent.
Entities
Artists
- William Contreras-Alfonso
- Linda Pongutá
- María Leguizamo
- Andrea Mendoza
- Juan Betancourt
- Matilde Guerrero
- David Medina
- Adriana Martínez
- Bobby Cruz
Institutions
- esferapública
- Talleres Telecom
- Telecom
- Apexart
- miles de veces
- Rosa
- Nuevo Miami
- ARTBO
- Espacio Odeón
- Ministerio de Cultura
- JUNTXS
- Escuela Itinerante
- 46 Salón Nacional de Artistas
- Kauka
Locations
- Bogotá
- Colombia
- Nueva York
- New York
- United States