Living together in precarious times: the role of artist residencies
Rather than acting just as cv embellishers and feel-good providers, artist residencies can be places where care and sustainability is applied in practice.
CeRCCa artist residency outside of Barcelona, Spain Courtesy of CeRCCa
The second article of three, during my research traineeship at DutchCulture | TransArtists. Here, inspired by Rolan Barthes' lectures on 'How to live together', I examine how artist residencies can foster moments of collectivity against the much advertised individualistic approach of the art market, and can act as more than just ''badges'' for the next opportunity in an artist's career. In fact, it seems that the stakes are always higher for the artists, who have to face a sector that is still lacking in frameworks and professionalization, that would ensure stability, as well as give a window of time and space for research and experimentation. Furthermore, struck by the covid-19 pandemic, environmental disasters, and the recent war in Ukraine, it should be made clear that not only should the professional terms be re-negotiated, but also care and sustainability to their lives and careers should become of primary importance.
This is the second article of a series of three that I wrote for DutchCulture, during my research traineeship with them. Check it all out on their website!