Villa Albertine Launches New Nature-Inspired Writing Residency
Set in the scenic landscape of the Djerassi Ranch, this residency gives writers, researchers, and intellectuals the opportunity to develop and deepen their reflections on the central question of life. Nestled in the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, stretching across vast plains, with breathtaking views of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Djerassi is the ideal space for inspiring creativity.
The presence of other artists in residence fosters fruitful interdisciplinary dialogue. Djerassi’s proximity to a thriving academic ecosystem, including Stanford, San José, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz Universities, additionally encourages a blend of focused writing time with stimulating intellectual exchanges. The backdrop of Silicon Valley further enriches perspectives, inviting participants to explore the intersection of ecological and technological challenges.
Within this inspiring setting, residents are encouraged to explore environmental issues from their chosen perspective, adopting either a scientific or creative approach, with the goal of using their reflections to produce a written work intended for a broad audience.
With the support of the Engie Foundation, this initiative aligns with Villa Albertine’s ambition to enhance creative work on “vast natural landscapes” and the preservation of life. It complements an already extensive residency program, spanning from the Texan desert to the outskirts of Alaska, and including immersive experiences, such as artists traveling aboard a container ship connecting mainland France with French territories in the Pacific via the United States.
“For the Engie Foundation, supporting Villa Albertine perfectly reflects our commitment to working with stakeholders dedicated to environmental protection, the conservation of biodiversity, and finding solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. Enabling researchers and thinkers to continue and enrich their work while reviving the concept of immersive and exploratory residencies is an ambitious and exciting project, fully aligned with the core mission of our foundation.”
Jean-Christophe Cavallin, The Inaugural Laureate, Delves Into Ecopoetics
The first resident selected to launch this program is Jean-Christophe Cavallin, a researcher, author, and the creator of the “Ecopoetics and Creation” Master’s program at Aix-Marseille University.
During his month-long residency at the Djerassi Ranch in November 2024, Jean-Christophe Cavallin will explore the growing disconnect between the real world and the virtual landscape, focusing on how we perceive climate and environmental challenges. Through a dialogue with the works of Gregory Bateson, Bruno Latour, and Ernesto De Martino, Cavallin aims to restore the sanctity of nature —essential for understanding the reality of ecological upheavals.