Founded in 2009 by Paulo Reis, Carpe Diem Art and Research (CDAP) in Lisbon, Portugal is an artist's residency based in the Pombal Palace, a sixteenth-century building. The centre hosts an eclectic exhibition program consisting of national and international artists as well as conferences, masterclasses, talks with artists, an educational programme and workshops.
One of the most interesting and unique parts of CDAP is its location. The Pombal Palace, beautiful in its some-what diminishing state, provides the perfect inspiration for the residencies artists. It's architecture, ambience and marks of previous use are clearly a never ending source of creativity. Naturally, site-specific works play a major role in this centre's practice, the results of which can be seen here on Collectionair.
Whilst thriving in its contemporary practice, the residency also preserves the Pombal Palace's heritage, albeit in a new light. As a non-profit organization CDAP relies on its network of collaborators, volunteers and Cultural Patronage from the Secretary of State for Culture.