OPEN CALL FOR ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
ΒΥ: http://www.wooloo.org/open-call/entry/239499
THE DAY OF THE DEAD As practiced by the indigenous communities of Mexico, el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) commemorates the transitory return to Earth of deceased relatives and loved ones.

The festivities take place each year at the end of October to the beginning of November. This period also marks the completion of the annual cycle of cultivation of maize, the country’s predominant food crop. Families facilitate the return of the souls to Earth by laying flower petals, candles and offerings along the path leading from the cemetery to their homes. The deceased’s favourite dishes are prepared and placed around the home shrine and the tomb alongside flowers and typical handicrafts, such as paper cut-outs. Great care is taken with all aspects of the preparations, for it is believed that the dead are capable of bringing prosperity (e.g. an abundant maize harvest) or misfortune (e.g. illness, accidents, financial difficulties) upon their families depending on how satisfactorily the rituals are executed. The dead are divided into several categories according to cause of death, age, sex and, in some cases, profession. A specific day of worship, determined by these categories, is designated for each deceased person. This encounter between the living and the dead affirms the role of the individual within society and contributes to reinforcing the political and social status of Mexico’s indigenous communities.

Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed by UNESCO in 2003).


ARQUETOPIA'S ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM

Arquetopia’s programs promote development and social transformation through contemporary art with a non-traditional, culturally diverse & multidisciplinary approach. Arquetopia is located in Puebla, known as the City of Angels. Puebla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies 136 km (84 mi) from Mexico City and has approximately 5,000 colonial buildings. Puebla is famous for a deep cultural identity and traditions rooted in the 16th-century Baroque and enriched by a blend of pre-Hispanic, Arabic, Jewish, French and Spanish influences.

Our Artist-in-Residence Program offers important professional opportunities for emerging & mid-career national and international contemporary artists. Our programs are oriented to promote social consciousness, and artists are strongly encouraged to address social themes as part of their artistic goals for their residency project. As Arquetopia’s mission is to promote social transformation, understanding Mexico’s context, and specifically Puebla’s cultural complexity, is key for a successful cultural exchange; therefore the residency opportunities revolve around techniques that are unique or specific to Mexico or Puebla. Since our approach is contemporary, we welcome artists from diverse disciplines (painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, performance & time based work, etc.) who are interested in creating work with elements, techniques or processes that are specific to Mexico and/or unique to Puebla.

Some of the techniques included but not limited to are:
• Ceramics (Talavera, loza vidriada, barro bruñido, barro de Oaxaca, etc.)
• Ephemeral (including food and other perishable materials)
• Glass (vidrio verde)
• Natural pigments (grana cochinilla and other pigments) • Paper (papel amate)
• Stone (onix, piedra de Santo Tomás, etc.)
• Textiles (telar de cintura, embroidery, etc.)


All proposals are welcome. Projects addressing social issues involving the community in the process of creating cutting-edge work with a nontraditional approach on traditional techniques will be given priority. In cases where a specific technique and/or materials are not available for a proposed project, our foundation will work with the artist on alternatives that will suit the work.

RESIDENCIES AND TERMS
The duration of residency varies from 3 to 16 weeks long, from January through June and from August through December; and 2 to 4 weeks long from July through August. The dates for residency are fixed by mutual agreement between the artist and Arquetopia’s staff. Artists may apply for residency in one of two categories:

EMERGING ARTISTS
Open to artists 18 years of age & up, residencies in this category are designed for artists in the early stages of their career, interested in exploring new techniques and devoting 3 to 4 weeks focusing on a new body of work. Application is especially open to those who have recently completed BFA or MFA programs. Although there are no specific requirements for residencies in this category, artists are encouraged to set goals in terms of the international experience and their work.

MID-CAREER & ESTABLISHED ARTISTS
Open to artists over the age of 25, residencies in this category are designed for artists with an established career. Artists applying for participation in this category shall have already had major exhibitions and their work included in important collections in their home country and/or abroad. The duration of residency varies from 6 to 16 weeks and is geared toward the creation of a permanent piece. A minimum of five years of professional experience is required for participation in residencies from this category.

RESIDENCY APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete and submit together all of the following:

1. The 2011 Arquetopia Artist-in-Residence Program Application
2. Resume or curriculum vitae
3. Your proposed course curriculum
4. Samples of your work
5. Two professional references
6. Non-refundable application fee of USD $35.00 Via PAYPAL to account address: “fguevara@arquetopia.org” or INTERNATIONAL BANK MONEY ORDER addressed to ARQUETOPIA A.C.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

• Selection decisions are based on artistic work. Candidates at all stages of their careers (emerging and established) must display a demonstrated sense of potential. The residency is for artists who want to advance their work. A statement of purpose is requested from each applicant.
• An independent jury comprised of curators and practicing artists of merit makes the final selections. The jury may have multi-year terms and are given specific selection guidelines. The jury is selected and invited by Arquetopia’s Executive Director.
• The residency pool should be diverse in all aspects.
• The residency program is an opportunity for artists to pursue their own work, free from daily pressures; however, there is an optional structure of critical study during the residency, such as studio visits, visiting artists, etc. The residents should work with the visiting artist/critic program.
• The residency is an opportunity for artists to produce work that in their particular circumstances would normally be difficult to produce. The fee charged to resident is USD $400 per week, which covers lodging, three meals per day, studio space, access to special facilities, tools, materials and supplies. Since Arquetopia’s mission is to promote diversity we especially encourage artists from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Once accepted residents are asked to remit a $150 security deposit. Total payment of tuition is required by 60 days prior to the applicant’s scheduled arrival at Arquetopia.
• The residencies should embody the interdisciplinary and diverse nature of Arquetopia.
• Residents are provided the use of Arquetopia’s well-equipped residency space including individual or shared dorms (please specify), library, computer room with wireless Internet, lounge area with TV/DVD, kitchen, dining room, bathroom with hydro-massage tub and shower, art studio and terrace. They also have access to special facilities depending on the chosen technique.
• The creation of a community during the residency period is important.
• Arquetopia makes its artistic and technical staff available to the residents. Up to five residents may be selected for each term. Residents can be either emerging or established artists. We prefer to have a 50/50 split between emerging and established artists in each term.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Each applicant shall indicate which category (emerging or established) s/he would like to be identified and specify their primary artistic technique of interest. Each applicant shall select the time period for which they wish to be considered in the fall, spring or summer term. Each applicant shall submit a “statement of purpose” – what they would like to accomplish during the residency (no more than one page); five digital images or up to three minutes of time based work.

Work submitted for consideration should be representative of the applicant’s experience in that particular field. Each applicant shall submit a resume or CV along with names, addresses and phone numbers of two professional references who would be able to asses applicant’s personal integrity, cooperation and reliability. All applicants are charged a modest non-refundable application fee. To apply for more than one area of concentration, separate applications, fees, and supporting documentation must be filed.

Applications are processed and organized by Arquetopia’s staff.
• Preliminary review: International Programs Director reviews applications within their respective areas to determine if Arquetopia can adequately serve the prospective residents.
• Final review: Final independent jury comprised of three curators and/or practicing artists who reflect independence, knowledge of Arquetopia, diversity of artistic fields, gender, race, etc. meets for in-person panel review and selection.

To request application email us at info@arquetopia.org

Δημοσιεύτηκε: 15-12-2011
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