Wilderness as Archive
Description
A two-week-long workshop/lecture series, led by curator/researcher and founder of the Wilderness Archive Carlo Rizzo (wildernessarchive.org https://tsoeg.org/associates/carlo-rizzo/), Artistic Director and co-founder of Tbilisi Photo Festival and Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum Nestan Nijaradze (www.tbilisiphotofestival.com https://tpmm.ge/en/) and artist and founder of the Temporal School of Experimental Geography Luce Choules (https://lucechoules.com/workshops/ https://tsoeg.org). The residency includes special sessions dedicated to field recording. All workshops, lectures and sessions are held in English.
Content
Over the course of the residency, participants will be introduced to contemporary archival practices rooted in fieldwork, as well as historical and recent perspectives on the visual culture of Tusheti. Participants will be invited to bring their own research practices to the space and engage with the changing patterns of the late spring season and the rituals and cultural traditions of the people of Tusheti at this particular time of the year.
Workshop Program
Week 1, 23 to 29 May 2022 (arrival expected on 22 May 2022)
Day 1
• Morning session. Opening remarks, workshop leaders and participant brief introductions.
• Afternoon session. The Ethics of Exploration – a reflection on historical and institutional practices of exploration and engagement with wilderness. Hosted by Carlo Rizzo
Day 2
• Morning session: Participants current research/projects individual presentations (round 1). Group discussion
• Afternoon session: [optional] darkroom induction offered by Elene Kobidze, from Aqtushetii’s team
Day 3
• Morning session: Immaterial Fields – a durational performance workshop exploring gravity, motion and stillness. Hosted by Luce Choules
• Afternoon session: Participants current research/projects individual presentations (round 2). Group discussion
Day 4
• Morning session: Wilderness as Methodology: an introduction/invitation to the Wilderness Archive initiative and research methods in contemporary archival practices
• Afternoon session: Participants current research/projects individual presentations (round 3). Group discussion
Day 5
• Morning session: [optional] Field recording workshop, theory session
Day 6
• All-day, times vary: [optional] Field recording workshop, practice session
Week 2, 29 May to 5 June 2022 (departure expected on 5 June 2022)
Day 1
• Morning session: Immaterial Fields – a collective writing session exploring language, structure and form. Hosted by Luce Choules
Day 2
• Morning session: Immaterial Fields – a collective performance session exploring locality, accumulation and arrangement. Hosted by Luce Choules
• Afternoon session: A moderated debate for all participants on topics emerging from the residency. Moderated by Carlo Rizzo
Day 3 and 4
Days dedicated entirely to participants’ own research and work, with moderated evening discussions on emerging common topics and research strands. Participants are encouraged to work collaboratively and host evening discussions.
Day 4
• Evening session: Photo Archives are Sleeping Beauties: Tusheti in Shalva Alkhanaidze’s photography. Hosted by Nestan Nijaradze
Day 5 and 6
• Final presentations
Duration of residency
15 Days
Accommodation
The residents will be accommodated at our site, which offers single beds in male or female dormitories (private double rooms with private bathrooms also available for an extra charge of 140 euros for 14 nights), showers, studios, a dining area and several terraces. This open call is limited to 15 participants.
Disciplines, work equipment and assistance
The residency is open to practitioners from multiple disciplines and working in different media, such as but not limited to
photography, text, performance, film, fine art, installation, land art. Scientists and science communicators with knowledge of Tushetian ecosystems are also encouraged to apply.
The residency will provide technical assistance, working tools and a limited range of locally sourced materials.
Studio / Workspace
Four (shared) art studio spaces, outdoor (undercover) working spaces, photographic darkroom, pottery wheel, raku kiln, wood-fired kiln, outdoor stage, professional sound system, 2 projectors, gallery space, sound recording studio [inc. microphones, Genelec monitors, sound card, electric piano, acoustic drum kit, mixer, organ, Georgian folk instruments, various percussion], the vinyl library of Georgian music, cassette dubbing deck, CDR burner and printer
Fees and support
Each participant is expected to contribute or independently fundraise 600 Euros to cover the costs associated with accommodation and meals. Aqtushetii is happy to support grant applications with a formal letter of invitation.
The cost estimate includes:
– transport Tbilisi-Omalo-Tbilisi
– 14 nights accommodation (in dormitories)
– 15 days of catering: a light breakfast and two large meals per day
– access to studios, equipment and technical assistance.Please note workshop leaders are not remunerated and are themselves undertaking their own research in Tusheti.
Expectations towards the artist
During their stay, each resident should make a presentation/exhibition/workshop on what they are researching/working on. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the permanent collection/archive of the residency with their work if and when possible.
Application information
The applicants should send the following information to aqtushetii@gmail.com
Their portfolio and/or link to their work;
A short description of what they are planning to do while in Omalo;
The dates they wish to stay at the residency;
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries about our residency and its programs.