Open call for applications: WARP Artist Village 2015

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from e-flux

August 10-16, 2015

Deadline: May 1, 2015

WARP Artist Village
Pakhuizencomplex
Komvest 45
8000 Bruges
Belgium

www.warp-art.be

What are your fellow artists creating in another part of the world? How do you get in contact with professionals from abroad? What about the insight in your own artistic practice? Are you convinced that you might benefit from encounters with other devoted artists and professionals from the international art scene? If so, it would be wise to apply for the fourth edition of Warp's International Artist Village.

During one week (August 10–16) a group of maximum 25 artists until the age of 35 will be given the opportunity to join the Artist Village taking place in Bruges (Belgium) within the context of the Art and Architecture Triennial. Warp Artist Village provides an ideal environment where artists can immerse in a weeklong open investigation of their work. Participants attend six daily individual conversations with curators, established artists, gallerists, architects, psychoanalists, and art critics. The conversations are held on the basis of your portfolio and focus primarily on content and the contextualisation of it. The atmosphere of being away from routine allows for in-depth discussions and a platform for open debate. Even at more advanced stages of one's career, it is important to have mentorship and support in a professional capacity. The range of discussions and feedback can provide you with a whole set of ideas and ways for further developing your practice.

The feedback, discussions and support from professionals are an intense and great combination that push the participants to continuously engage about their art practice. After several editions we have experienced this nomadic community leads to long-term relations between artists, commentators and institutes, creating an autonomous and alternative mental space in the contemporary art scene. Networks no longer stay virtual or ephemeral but become a profound, stimulating relationships.

"I just realized that I met so many new people and exciting artists in one week, as probably over the past two years in total"
– Katalin Tesch, participant from the 2012 Edition in Genk (BE) during Manifesta.

The Artist Village takes place during the Contemporary Art and Architecture Triennial of Bruges. The Triennial examines the different aspects of global urbanization together with internationally renowned artists, architects, scientists, curators and the general public. In stark contrast to the relentless dynamic of the never completed mega-city stands the timeless, unchangeable character of the old city of Bruges. The Triennial fuses both images in the unique historic centre, resulting in fascinating artistic encounters and confrontations.

Warp Contemporary Art Platform is a non-profit organisation based in Sint-Niklaas (BE) with an international horizon in mind. Warp has a program of exhibitions and lectures, but an important question has always been: How to inspire and support artists? For this reason we initiated portfolio days and the extended version of it, the Artist Village. Selected artists of previous editions have become the creative reservoir for our exhibitions.

Artists under the age of 35 can submit their portfolio until May 1.

Participation requires a fee of 300 euro per participant, which includes week-long lodging at site, all meals, professional encounters and other scheduled activities, such as lectures, concerts and visits. Only travel costs have to be covered by the participants.

For further information and technical specifications on how to apply, please visit our website.