Call for artists: Audio and Visual Workshop in Italy

24 to 30 July in Spessa, Pavia, Italy

An opportunity for sound art, audio, and video artists to come together for an explorative 5-day residential workshop in Spessa, Pavia, Italy working collaboratively with new technology to create a new form of participatory interplay for live performance.

We welcome artists from Italy, Portugal and across the globe to apply for this unique workshop opportunity to create new technologies with the aim to encourage and increase meeting points, exchange and interaction between people. Through this workshop, we want to implement a system with digital technologies that can be accessible and sustainable for artistic productions both large and small scale, in a wide range of settings and with independence.

The workshop will be facilitated by artist Mauro Buttafava of Artemista and produced in partnership with Claire Sivier, Raizvanguarda & Elisa Pifferi, Artemista.

This workshop is one part of the project Local, Meet International, a partnership project by Artemista (Italy) and Raizvanguarda (Portugal) who are supported by Tandem Europe. The work aims to produce a system which will be piloted in the rural village of Arganil, Portugal during the summer of 2018 involving participation from members of the local community and sharing stories of those who reside in rural spaces.

There is a wide range of new digital technologies surrounding us; computers, tablets, smartphones are just the beginning – all using controllers and sensors, an interaction with multimedia content (audio and video), streaming, automation in electronic, mechanical and lighting.

These tools are now even more common in live shows, especially for strengthening control, technical possibility and increase the impact and accessibility of live shows. Equally, these types of tools, once just linked only to big artistic productions, are now accessible to large numbers of people. Through these tools there is now the possibility to develop unique live experiences offering new forms of interaction with artists, increasing the dimensions and meeting points with the audience, but also between people structured inside the events themselves.

The opportunity for experimentation we propose has the potential to be a very exciting experience for the audience. They are a core part of the theatre event/experience designed with game dynamics which encourage audiences to be actively involved and interact with content, performers and other participants in the audience.

Through this workshop programme, we would like to explore the above with you and together create new technologies with the aim to encourage and increase meeting, exchange and interaction between people. We want to implement a system with digital technologies that can be accessible and sustainable even for artistic productions working on both a large and small scale and without the need for too much equipment and in independence.

Who can apply?
We are looking for 6 artists with expertise in one or more of the following
technologies:
– audio/midi
– video
– use of sensors
– streaming
– lighting or programming

Note: Up to 4 places will be reserved for Portuguese and Italian artists

Desirable skills in using at least one software for automation and interaction in live shows: Qlab, Ableton Live, MaxMSP, OSC, Arduino, or other. Experience of developing work for participatory projects using music and theatre are desirable and an openness to collaborate are essential.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old – there is no upper age limit for the program. A sufficient level of English is required.

Application Process:
Please send you application: associazioneartemista@gmail.com
Applicants must complete the attached application form which should be accompanied by a portfolio and resume.

Deadline for applications: 5pm (CET), Monday 28 May. It is possible we may request Skype Interviews with shortlisted applicants for more information about their work and practice.

Workshop purpose: sharing artistic practice and experience, skills, knowledge, and challenges. Developing pilot project to use new technologies for audience interaction inside live show; planning, design and implementation of a prototype of technological interplay.

Day 1/2 Exchange of skills, knowledge experience
Day 3 Begin the process of designing the new tech and model
Day 4/5 Testing and experimenting with new design and refining

Workshop Dates:
Wednesday 25 – Sunday 29 July 2018. Italy, Spessa (PV)
Arrival Day: Tuesday 24 July | Departure Day: Monday 30 July

Accommodation & Subsistence:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided during each workshop day. Dinner is provided on the arrival day, and breakfast provided on the day of departure.
Accommodation will be in shared living quarters within the Artemista Hostel.

Travel Cost Contributions:
International applicants: Up to 200 euros is offered to contribute towards travel costs

Applicants resident in Italy: Up to 75 euro are offered to contribute towards costs of travel to the workshop

Note: Travel costs will be paid by bank transfer on receipt of boarding passes, booking confirmation and original receipts