Memories and Encounters

• Valentina Vetturi (IT)
  January - February 2012
  
  

VIR Viafarini-in-residence is a residency program open to artists, critics and curators interested in spending a period of research and work in Milan. Since 2008 VIR, located in the organization's former premises in via Farini 35, aims to show, document and compare different artistic experiences and curatorial approaches, promoting them to the Italian public. International and talian artists and curators live and work sharing the same framework and tracing the perimeter of their own experimentations, both through a dialog during the studio visits, as well as of the Open Studio. final exhibition.

The residence venue consists of four fully-equipped apartments and a space of 240 square mt. where artists work side by side. Each apartment consists of a two-room-apartment of 40 square meters, with a kitchen room and a study room with an elevated bed area.

Artists and curators are selected taking into account both applications submitted directly by artists and curators, as well as nominations by international residency programs as well as by artists and critics with whom Viafarini worked in the last 20 years:
_ International residency programs: CCA Centrum Sztuki Wspolczesnej (Warsaw), Futura (Prague), HIAP (Helsinki), Gasworks (London), Jerusalem Center for Visual Art (Jerusalem), Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin), Pist (Istanbul), Rijksakademie (Amsterdam), Townhouse (El Cairo)
_ Artists: Marina Abramovic, Maurizio Cattelan, Martin Creed, Jimmy Durham, Katharina Fritsch, Hans Op de Beeck, Tobias Rehberger, Runa Islam, Katharina Grosse
_ Critics: Dennis Cooper, Chuz Martinez, Nirith Nelson, Rita Pinto, Marina Wallace

VIR Viafarini-in-residence has the contribution of PaBAAC, General Direction of the Ministry for Culture Heritage and Activities, Fondazione Cariplo, Gemmo spa Viafarini’s institutional partner, and the contribution of individuals who decided to support the artists: ACACIA - Associazione Amici Arte Contemporanea and Fiorucci Art Trust.

HOW TO APPLY

TIMELINE
The length of stay vary between 1 up to 3 months according to the particular interests of each applicant. Applicants must clearly indicate in their documentation their preferred length of stay and residency dates. VIR reserves the right to present a counterproposal regarding alternative dates.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Each applicant must fill in and submit the application form, together with the following list of documents as attachments to viafarini@viafarini.org under “VIR Application” in the subject line, or by mail to Viafarini DOCVA, via Procaccini 4, 20154:
_ Curriculum Vitae. Maximum 3 pages (.doc or .pdf format)
_ Letter of Intent, briefly detailing motivation for participation in the program, the ideas to be developed during the stay and desired dates. Maximum 600 words (.doc or .pdf format)
_ Artists: portfolio of selected works, comprising images and descriptions (.pdf format)
_ Curators and critics: maximum of 5 texts assembled in one document (.pdf format)

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTATION
_ A maximum of 3 links to online resources (include in body of e-mail).
_ A maximum of 3 reviews of exhibitions, or cover letters from non profit institutions (.pdf format).

ELIGIBILITY
There are no restrictions of nationality or age. Due to space limitations, applications from groups or collectives will not be accepted.

GENERAL ASPECTS
VIR offers a fully equipped flat, with private bathroom, kitchen, living, loft double bed. Shared use of the studio, wireless internet 24/7 and access to all other Viafarini facilities, including DOCVA Documentation Center for Visual Arts. VIR can assist from the curatorial point of view, as well as facilitation in finding available options to satisfy specific project needs and preparation of the final Open Atelier. VIR can invite selected artists to take part in talks, lectures, round tables, classes.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The costs of VIR residency is set on 3.000 euros per month, for the following services:
_ use of a 40 sq.mt fully equipped apartment, 24 hours use of the 240 sq mt. studio located in the same building on the ground floor, in addition lighting, heating, garbage disposal, maintenance, wi-fi internet connection, concierge service;
_ curatorial assistance;
_ professional facilitation in researches about Italian artistic and cultural scenario, taking also use of DOCVA documentation center facilities, assistance in making appointments with art professionals, in researches for specific technical needs related to artist's work;
_ professional preparation and set up service and technical help related to the final Open Studio event;
_ communication of the final open studio event to an extensive mailing list;
_ minor production expenses (related to availability of the limited technical equipment at disposal of our organization).
According to a specific agreement with Viafarini, the fee can be payed by the resident through the donation of an artwork to Viafarini. Each resident will be financially responsible for travel costs as well as for living expenses, local transportation, production costs and any additional materials. If necessary, VIR can extend invitation letters to assist selected residents to apply for additional funding. However in some cases and according to the assessment of the curatorial board, VIR can offer a specific grant.

INSTRUCTIONS
All selected residents will be responsible for their own entry visas and additional immigration procedures. Residents are responsible for their own full-coverage health insurance while in residency at our facilities. VIR is not responsible for any kind of medical expense the residents may incur in during their stay. VIR reserves the right to resolve any unforeseeable situations that may arise during the length of the resident’s stay in the manner it deems fit in order to ensure optimum performance of the program and/or space. Only small, well trained pet is allowed at the residency.

ARTISTS MOBILITY
Viafarini's commitment for artists' mobility has deep roots, linked with the foundation of the ArtBox database, on line since 1997, that still represents a primary source of information for Italian artists and art professionals. From 1996 until 2010 Viafarini set up an agreement with the Australia Council for the Arts. Between 2009 and 2011 Viafarini organized at VIR Memories and Encounters program also thanks to the support of Fondazione Cariplo.

The submitted material will become part of the Viafarini Portfolio Archive and will therefore not be returned if not on demand and on the applicant’s expenses.

For further information and for making a studio visit: viafarini@viafarini.org | +39 02 66804473