OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
@WATER TOWER ART RESIDENCY – DECENTRALIZED EDITION # 6
BURGAS – 10 – 20.08.2022
VELIKO TURNOVO 1 – 10.09.2022
@WATER TOWER ART RESIDENCY – DECENTRALIZED EDITION # 6
BURGAS – 10 – 20.08.2022
VELIKO TURNOVO 1 – 10.09.2022
The long-awaited edition of our next decentralized residence is already a fact.
In our mentoring program, with the participation of 5 international artists, we offer exchange of experience and immersion in the local environment for creative interpretations of various topics.
Who is the residence for? For artists, without restrictions on age, young – debuting or established artists.
The creative residency will consist of two new destinations (new for us), with new partnerships and friendships, new joint ideas and research on various topics, provoked by the places of interaction through creative intervention.
This year’s locations are – Burgas, Salt Lakes in partnership with Symbiotic – Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Veliko Turnovo in partnership with VT Events
By default, the creative residence offers a platform for communication and exchange of ideas in the field of art and culture. New culture and new relationships between people, nature, heritage, technology and progressive ideas leading us to all to coexistence, both inside and outside us, in a spirit of continuity and development of ideas for possible future. Everyone is welcome to participate in our program, interested and working in the arts, thus including but not limited to visual arts, digital or sound art as well as architecture, participatory arts and performance arts
Past editions here: https://watertowerartfest.com/
Curatorial text
Why do we do it? One of the leading notions that drives us to go to abandoned or underused places and explore their potential, is to reconnect and invest into a possible future, where there is lack of sense of abandonment and the very discouraging atmosphere of forgetfulness and sadness.
This self-motivated, initiated decentralized event, across the country will allow us to further explore the margins of what we know from the physical world, there is waiting the feeling of total comfortability of the unknown.
Same goes within ourselves! We explore hidden parts of our consciousness, as well as actual spaces and befriend them. We find and look for a link that remind us of ourselves and we react to it, dance with it and make our own in company of others.
The point of departure for us in this edition is an international showcase of progressive ideas and the sharing of artistic practices, touching the pulse of ethereality, by focusing on function of the arts.
New social and artistic policies based on various expertise’s offered by the especially invited mentors such as link between science and the arts, digital art, ecology and preservation of symbiosis of man and nature, social inclusion on themes of non-discrimination and tolerance
Nia Pushkarova’2022
*WTAR 6 is supported by USA embassy Sofia -small grant scheme and French Cultural Institute
In our mentoring program, with the participation of 5 international artists, we offer exchange of experience and immersion in the local environment for creative interpretations of various topics.
Who is the residence for? For artists, without restrictions on age, young – debuting or established artists.
The creative residency will consist of two new destinations (new for us), with new partnerships and friendships, new joint ideas and research on various topics, provoked by the places of interaction through creative intervention.
This year’s locations are – Burgas, Salt Lakes in partnership with Symbiotic – Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Veliko Turnovo in partnership with VT Events
By default, the creative residence offers a platform for communication and exchange of ideas in the field of art and culture. New culture and new relationships between people, nature, heritage, technology and progressive ideas leading us to all to coexistence, both inside and outside us, in a spirit of continuity and development of ideas for possible future. Everyone is welcome to participate in our program, interested and working in the arts, thus including but not limited to visual arts, digital or sound art as well as architecture, participatory arts and performance arts
Past editions here: https://watertowerartfest.com/
Curatorial text
Why do we do it? One of the leading notions that drives us to go to abandoned or underused places and explore their potential, is to reconnect and invest into a possible future, where there is lack of sense of abandonment and the very discouraging atmosphere of forgetfulness and sadness.
This self-motivated, initiated decentralized event, across the country will allow us to further explore the margins of what we know from the physical world, there is waiting the feeling of total comfortability of the unknown.
Same goes within ourselves! We explore hidden parts of our consciousness, as well as actual spaces and befriend them. We find and look for a link that remind us of ourselves and we react to it, dance with it and make our own in company of others.
The point of departure for us in this edition is an international showcase of progressive ideas and the sharing of artistic practices, touching the pulse of ethereality, by focusing on function of the arts.
New social and artistic policies based on various expertise’s offered by the especially invited mentors such as link between science and the arts, digital art, ecology and preservation of symbiosis of man and nature, social inclusion on themes of non-discrimination and tolerance
Nia Pushkarova’2022
*WTAR 6 is supported by USA embassy Sofia -small grant scheme and French Cultural Institute
WTAR #6
Burgas, Atanasovo Salt Lakes 10 – 20.08.2022
Exploring the surroundings of of Atanasovo Salt Lakes and the rich unique bio diverse eco system and atmosphere of the natural habitat is in the basis of this year residency. We encourage projects on themes connected to the link between ecology and arts- all medias welcome – performance, installation, visual arts, etc. that foster maintaining the human-lake symbiosis through artistic research-based interactions at the salt lakes. To be able to maintain the fragile equilibrium between man and nature we need creative ideas for preserving natural habitat without disturbing its integrity. The exploration of link between nature and man can take the scientific turn and ecological data, but when approached from artistic point it has the potential of transcending the usually distant and inapprehensible to many, only by approaching it from emotional side.
“The approaches artists use to visualize environmental change problems range from realistic (e.g., photography, film, videos, TV) to abstract, often aiming to elicit human tensions (beauty, ugliness; risk, security); for instance, by means of the toxic sublime. A widely recognized challenge in the arts is that subjectivity both in the artistic expression and the viewers’ emotional perception and reactions can lead to a decontextualization and a false understanding of patterns of order in nature. As a result, viewers may perceive sustainability problems as distant and unlinked to personal experience and exposure.
Abstraction and artificiality in scientific visualizations, while representing the order of nature and environmental change problems objectively, can also remove the viewer from context. Similar to the artistic approach, scientific visualizations of environmental problems can lead to a disconnect between people’s emotions to and experiences from nature.” (source https://springerplus.springeropen.com/…/s40064-016-2831-z)
In this respect we aim to portray the link of man and nature in a more profoundly comprehensible way for all, by initiating talks and workshops as well as installations and visualization of research-based approach to artistic intervention at the Salt lakes of Atanasovo during our residency.
Partners
@Лагуната на живота / The Lagoon of Life– Bio diversity organization
https://lagoon.biodiversity.bg/the-lagoon
What we offer?
• Accommodation nearby the salt lakes in village of Sarafovo or Burgas/or opportunity for camping nearby the Simbiotichno base at salt lakes
• Transport from Burgas to Atanasovo Salt Lakes/and opportunity to hire a bike
• Mentorship program defined by each of the mentor incl., workshops, artists talk, exchange and possibility to collaborate together
• Place to work and present the results from residency
• Technical and logistic help, production costs (outlined and discussed preliminary with us)
• Full media coverage of presentational results and social media
Who are the mentors?
Mariko Hori – Japan/The Netherlands
Juan Valencia – Spain/Canary Islands
Working language – English, Spanish
*During the residency there may be issues regarding safety zones and other requirements by the reserve authorities, outside our control. It is not allowed to leave anything in the salt lakes and we kindly ask you to confine with these regulations as it is an ecological reserve with rich bio diversity, we will try to settle any occurring questions and ideas accordingly, but we ask for your patience and understanding
**To apply, please send a CV and motivation letter to: [email protected] stating the dates of availability and interest in residency place for 2022, by 24th of July
Burgas, Atanasovo Salt Lakes 10 – 20.08.2022
Exploring the surroundings of of Atanasovo Salt Lakes and the rich unique bio diverse eco system and atmosphere of the natural habitat is in the basis of this year residency. We encourage projects on themes connected to the link between ecology and arts- all medias welcome – performance, installation, visual arts, etc. that foster maintaining the human-lake symbiosis through artistic research-based interactions at the salt lakes. To be able to maintain the fragile equilibrium between man and nature we need creative ideas for preserving natural habitat without disturbing its integrity. The exploration of link between nature and man can take the scientific turn and ecological data, but when approached from artistic point it has the potential of transcending the usually distant and inapprehensible to many, only by approaching it from emotional side.
“The approaches artists use to visualize environmental change problems range from realistic (e.g., photography, film, videos, TV) to abstract, often aiming to elicit human tensions (beauty, ugliness; risk, security); for instance, by means of the toxic sublime. A widely recognized challenge in the arts is that subjectivity both in the artistic expression and the viewers’ emotional perception and reactions can lead to a decontextualization and a false understanding of patterns of order in nature. As a result, viewers may perceive sustainability problems as distant and unlinked to personal experience and exposure.
Abstraction and artificiality in scientific visualizations, while representing the order of nature and environmental change problems objectively, can also remove the viewer from context. Similar to the artistic approach, scientific visualizations of environmental problems can lead to a disconnect between people’s emotions to and experiences from nature.” (source https://springerplus.springeropen.com/…/s40064-016-2831-z)
In this respect we aim to portray the link of man and nature in a more profoundly comprehensible way for all, by initiating talks and workshops as well as installations and visualization of research-based approach to artistic intervention at the Salt lakes of Atanasovo during our residency.
Partners
@Лагуната на живота / The Lagoon of Life– Bio diversity organization
https://lagoon.biodiversity.bg/the-lagoon
What we offer?
• Accommodation nearby the salt lakes in village of Sarafovo or Burgas/or opportunity for camping nearby the Simbiotichno base at salt lakes
• Transport from Burgas to Atanasovo Salt Lakes/and opportunity to hire a bike
• Mentorship program defined by each of the mentor incl., workshops, artists talk, exchange and possibility to collaborate together
• Place to work and present the results from residency
• Technical and logistic help, production costs (outlined and discussed preliminary with us)
• Full media coverage of presentational results and social media
Who are the mentors?
Mariko Hori – Japan/The Netherlands
Juan Valencia – Spain/Canary Islands
Working language – English, Spanish
*During the residency there may be issues regarding safety zones and other requirements by the reserve authorities, outside our control. It is not allowed to leave anything in the salt lakes and we kindly ask you to confine with these regulations as it is an ecological reserve with rich bio diversity, we will try to settle any occurring questions and ideas accordingly, but we ask for your patience and understanding
**To apply, please send a CV and motivation letter to: [email protected] stating the dates of availability and interest in residency place for 2022, by 24th of July
WTAR #6 ½
Veliko Turnovo 1-10.09.2022
Rich on history and culture is VT. as it is in the center of Bulgaria, metaphorically and for real
What are we going to do there? Meet, talk, eat together, investigate places, learn from and for each other, befriend, empower, transcend, work individually or in groups in developing and showing a piece of art/thought as a final outcome of the residency!
Deadline of open call? When does it start – 1st of September! When does it end – 10th of September!
A more detailed Program and Timeframe will follow concerning mentor’s workshops, Artist tour and talks, Group visits.
Final event/showcase – 10th of September
Working language – English
What we offer?
• Accommodation in Veliko Turnovo for the whole period of residency
• Mentorship program defined by each of the mentor incl., workshops, artists talk, exchange and possibility to collaborate together
• Organized Art tours and visits to nearby villages and sites
• Place to work and present the results from residency
• Technical and logistic help, production costs (outlined and discussed preliminary with us)
• Full media coverage of presentational results and social media
Partners
@VTEvents – TAM, @TAMVELIKOTARNOVO Dupini art group
Radomir Dankov – architect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FrtZNlaWg0
Mentors:
Antonin Bouchy (Antonin Strantsouzin) – France/Bulgaria
Sandra Zanetti- USA
Ana Bacheva- Bulgaria / France
Veliko Turnovo 1-10.09.2022
Rich on history and culture is VT. as it is in the center of Bulgaria, metaphorically and for real
What are we going to do there? Meet, talk, eat together, investigate places, learn from and for each other, befriend, empower, transcend, work individually or in groups in developing and showing a piece of art/thought as a final outcome of the residency!
Deadline of open call? When does it start – 1st of September! When does it end – 10th of September!
A more detailed Program and Timeframe will follow concerning mentor’s workshops, Artist tour and talks, Group visits.
Final event/showcase – 10th of September
Working language – English
What we offer?
• Accommodation in Veliko Turnovo for the whole period of residency
• Mentorship program defined by each of the mentor incl., workshops, artists talk, exchange and possibility to collaborate together
• Organized Art tours and visits to nearby villages and sites
• Place to work and present the results from residency
• Technical and logistic help, production costs (outlined and discussed preliminary with us)
• Full media coverage of presentational results and social media
Partners
@VTEvents – TAM, @TAMVELIKOTARNOVO Dupini art group
Radomir Dankov – architect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FrtZNlaWg0
Mentors:
Antonin Bouchy (Antonin Strantsouzin) – France/Bulgaria
Sandra Zanetti- USA
Ana Bacheva- Bulgaria / France
Aiming to explore abandoned and underused sites in industrial or rural areas and in the outskirts of city centers, Water Tower Art Residency-Decentralized Edition #6 will have the city of Veliko Turnovo as its anchor and meeting point.
On the occasion of workshops and explorations, various satellite locations can be visited.
(list of places: Vishovgrad, Brestnitsa more tbc)
In order to maintain a fluid rhythm and ease of movement, participants will be able to divide into small autonomous groups, according to their interests and affinities, to carry out expeditions in VT and its region.
The mentors, in addition to proposing workshops, will be present to connect residents and local cultural actors, as well as to organize travel outside VT.
The VT base will be the space for living, sharing and pooling the various experiences accumulated, as well as the place for creating and preparing the final event.
Plan of indicative program:
Day 1-2 : meeting in VT, installing, explanations….
Day 3 to 7 : workshops, exploration, trip to the satellites… with possibilities to stay overnight
Day 8 to 10 : preparation for the final event
*To apply, please send a CV and motivation letter to: [email protected] stating the dates of availability and interest in residency place for 2022, by 24th of July
On the occasion of workshops and explorations, various satellite locations can be visited.
(list of places: Vishovgrad, Brestnitsa more tbc)
In order to maintain a fluid rhythm and ease of movement, participants will be able to divide into small autonomous groups, according to their interests and affinities, to carry out expeditions in VT and its region.
The mentors, in addition to proposing workshops, will be present to connect residents and local cultural actors, as well as to organize travel outside VT.
The VT base will be the space for living, sharing and pooling the various experiences accumulated, as well as the place for creating and preparing the final event.
Plan of indicative program:
Day 1-2 : meeting in VT, installing, explanations….
Day 3 to 7 : workshops, exploration, trip to the satellites… with possibilities to stay overnight
Day 8 to 10 : preparation for the final event
*To apply, please send a CV and motivation letter to: [email protected] stating the dates of availability and interest in residency place for 2022, by 24th of July
Fees & Tickets
Free
$0.00