Residency Programme

The main focus of Platform has been to present and produce contemporary art in Vaasa with emphasis on site specific art, community art, or art projects that have some local connection. Since an important part of Platform's activities are creating local interaction it gradually made sense to emphasize the residency program. It turned out that the projects and exhibitions made on site by artists who stayed a longer period in Vaasa seemed to work better – in the sense that they got more local attention and usually also were more interesting to us.

Previously the residency has been divided into two different programs, an international and a Nordic. For the International Program the selection was based on invitation conducted as a co-operation between similar art spaces or initiatives around Europe – and sometimes also inviting previous artists in residence to suggest coming artists. Co-operation partners have been Vector (Iasi, Rumänien), Skuc (Ljubljana), Space (Bratislava), Via (Dublin), Platform Garanti (Istanbul) and 1:1 (Rome). The selection is now based on an open call, as the Nordic always was.

We offer the artist a stay in Vaasa for a minimum of 6 weeks up to a maximum of 4 months. However, the regular period is 2 months. A studio space, accommodation, travel expenses (cheapest possible covered), and living expenses are provided. We also offer a small production budget, which the artist may reimburse by presenting original receipts of purchases, specifically connected to the current project.

The studio is located in an old military barrack in central Vaasa. It is a large space shared with the office of Platform, and is divided by a wall. The building hosts also local artists. The accommodation is a big loft located in an old soap factory, a 10-minute bike ride from the city centre. In addition, there is a bike, a set of tools and equipment available for the artist. There is wireless broadband access in the studio.

The artist has a contact person who is in charge of necessary arrangements, but note that this is voluntary work so if any additional assistance is needed it has to be agreed upon well in advance.

We ask the artist to realize a project, which can be presented either during the residency or at a later stage. After the project is finished the artist should submit documentation of it, as well as press release text etc. The artist is also expected to give a public talk about his/her work, which is normally done in the beginning of the stay, in order to get to know people.

We expect the artist to be able to communicate in English, Swedish or Finnish.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS / ARTIST IN RESIDENCY 2012

RESPONSE – RESPONSIBILITY

The root of the word responsibility is response, the first known use of the word meant ‘answerable’ to another for something.  The word is a social one, based on a question or call. If we are not in dialogue, if there is no discussion or dialogue between us, if we are not demanding and demanded of, the concept of responsibility falls away.

We are in a time of increasing instability -- social, political, economic, environmental -- these instabilities do not stop neatly at the boundaries between individuals, families, cities or countries.  They point to our interconnectedness, our interdependence.

In the face of these instabilities, some of which may bring catastrophic changes, what, if anything is being asked of us; what are we asking of others? Can we ask/demand something of others we wouldn’t be prepared to ask of ourselves?  What are the ramifications of doing this?

The word responsibility often carries the implication of guilt, culpability or an onerous chore one would like to avoid.  Can we recast this word, that links us to each other, in a more positive, social, desiring and pleasurable way?

Artists typically place themselves in the position of outsider, commentator or instigator.  Can artists enter into this dialogue at the same level as others, as opposed to the safer/more strategic positions of outsider, commentator or educator?

The above questions, calling for a response, are linguistically driven, the projects need not be.

This open call can be seen as an invitation, a possibility or a challenge.

Residencies can be applied for during the period of March 2012 until end of March 2013.

Deadline August 31st. Applications are accepted only during the month of August, 1–31.8.2011.

Please follow these instructions closely. Applications not following these aquierments will not be considered.

We require the artist to send a digital application to info[a]platform.fi with the subject RESIDENCY APPLICATION.

The application should be only one document, a pdf (or word document) that consists of the following. Please do not paste any relevant information in the email:

1. an informal project plan or motivation letter, max one page. The aim of the letter should be describing the kind of project you imagine doing in Vaasa and your motivation to apply for this residency. It should also include your preferred period of time, as well as what time isn't suitable at all.
2. description/images of 5 projects. For videos, please add direct links to websites, also included in the pdf.
3. a cv of max one page, including your contacts: name, address and email address.
4. please compress images and document to 72dpi. The application shall occupy no more than 2 MB.
   
   All submitted material should be Macintosh compatible.
   
   The selection will be made by the board of Platform. All applicants will recieve a notification about the selection during October. Please note that the board is under no obligation to justify its decisions.
   
   Please note that we are a voluntary community and respond to emails every week, but not necessarily every day, especially during summer.