S+T+ARTS AIR Residencies Programme

 The AIR concept

• Air extends beyond the invisible substance they breathe. It encompasses both visible and invisible elements, complementing the senses and connecting them to the surroundings. It acts as a warning system, heightening the perception of danger and evoking deep emotions through scent. Air enables the existence of sound and has a tactile connection to the body, particularly the hair and skin.
• Air played a vital role in verbal communication, language development, and logical thinking, laying the groundwork for scientific and technological progress. This dynamic has allowed humans to translate intricate processes into symbolic representations, making the unseen visible. Through the integration of science, technology, and art, they aim to create challenges that bridge these realms of knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse realities and concepts intertwined with the air.
• They invite creative and experienced artists to participate in the S+T+ARTS AIR Residencies, which deepen the multifaceted nature of AIR and its profound significance in the lives.
• For artists interested in joining AIR as a resident artist, the project consortium offers access to the technologies and know-how of two of Europe’s leading supercomputing centers (HLRS in Stuttgart and BSC in Barcelona), SONY Computer Science Laboratories in Rome, HEKA lab & KUBER in Koper, Slovenia, and the artistic expert organizations Fundación ÉPICA La Fura dels Baus from Badalona, Media Solutions Center (MSC) from Stuttgart, In4Art from Rotterdam and RCR Architects from Barcelona.
• In this way, AIR is born from the will of 8 organizations from 5 different countries belonging to different fields of knowledge – technology, research, industry, and culture – to establish new methodologies, processes, indicators and seeks artists to collaborate with them.

AIR will support and host 10 artists through the S+T+ARTS residencies between December 2023 and September 2024, distributing a total amount of 400.000 eur.

• The S+T+ARTS AIR Residencies aim to have a lasting impact on the artistic community, as well as the broader public. Artists will be encouraged to actively participate in workshops, exhibitions, and public events, sharing their creative processes and engaging with diverse audiences.
• AIR is looking for Artists willing to collaborate on the intersections of art-science-technology and innovation, with a strong motivation to do so and an artistically and technically sound reflection on the topic(s) relevant to this call.
• The main objective of this call is to identify 20 artists who are convincing in their profile, motivation and reflection on the topics at hand. This call does not expect artists to submit full project proposals.
• The pre-selected artists will enter a proposal development matchmaking process (Stage 2) with scientists and core experts from the consortium to ensure a fit between the artistic interests, the scientific interests and the real-world challenges faced by society. The 20 pre-selected artists will conclude Stage 2 with the presentation of their proposal in front of the selection committee jury.

Type of Artist they search for?

• They are seeking artists with a passion for exploring the perception of air through the uses of the senses and in co-existence with other species and organisms. They question and promote a deeper understanding of the fields that surround them and the profound influence of these invisible waves. This entails exploring the boundaries of existing technical tools and pushing for novel ways and perspectives to look at AIR.
  • Ideal candidates will be curious and open-minded, willing to dive into the complexities of the ecosystems. They should possess a strong interest in information and computer technologies and how they can be used to elevate the senses.
  • Resulting on expanding perspectives and embracing interdisciplinary approaches, artists can imagine new insights related to the impact of human actions and digital activities on different ecosystems. The ability to think critically, push boundaries, and communicate complex ideas through artistic means will be essential for this residency.
  • Utilizing high performance computing power is crucial for these artists, as they will be expected to propose experimental maps or models and will closely collaborate with the scientists.
  • The ideal candidate will show a deep interest in collaborating with the consortium partners and being part of a core-team that will jointly work and embody the co-producing of the prototypes.
  • Artists will be expected to employ a selection of artistic elements such as light, color, smell, sound, and/or motion towards creating tangible outcomes/ prototypes.
  • Artists interested in a joint presentation/ installation that captivates and inspires viewers.

What do they offer?

• AIR will select up to 10 applications that will take part in a 10 month support programme where they will be working towards defining, experimenting, and prototyping in collaboration with a dedicated core team from the consortium.
• AIR will offer the beneficiaries the following:
  • Up to 40 000 EUR as a lump sum grant per Artist.
  • Guidance and support by their hosting hubs from the consortium (the hosting hub will be defined during the second stage of the selection process) and the mentoring/ innovation  partners.
  • Mentorship and collaboration throughout the residency  on the following areas:
    • Conceptual mentoring by RCR
    • Artistic production, experience design, participatory experiences and transmedia storytelling mentoring by EPICA & MSC
    • Art-driven innovation mentoring by In4Art.
  • Access to scientific knowledge and facilities, provided by the scientific and local partners and consisting of available knowledge, programs, solutions, and equipment to support the development of the project: with an explanation of facilities per HUB.
  • Access to the European S+T+ARTS network.

Direction & Challenges

• Direction 1: Resilient interspecies urban ecosystems
  • Challenge nº1: What could be the role of sound in modeling future cities?
  • Challenge nº2: Can virtual replicas of cities trigger urban regeneration?
  • Challenge nº3: How can they transform urban ecosystems through the senses?
• Direction 2: Human-AI Ecosystems
  • Challenge nº1: How will the digital twin of the respiration system change them?
  • Challenge nº2: Can they create a Human-AI ecology?
  • Challenge nº3: How could they redraw the boundaries of perception?

Eligibility Criteria

• This call is a great opportunity for Artists who seek to collaborate with centers for high performance computing & computer science on experiments where art, science and innovation come together.
• They are seeking artists with a passion for exploring the perception of air through the uses of the senses and in co-existence with other species and organisms. They question and promote a deeper understanding of the fields that surround them and the profound influence of these invisible waves. This entails exploring the boundaries of existing technical tools and pushing for novel ways and perspectives to look at AIR.
• The AIR S+T+ARTS residency has to be proposed by one Artist (natural person) or Artistic company or association (legal person).
• An Artist refers to: a self‐employed individual (freelancer) or (co)owner of an artistic company or association that undertakes artistic activities as a profession/job occupation. The artist must have produced enough artworks to assess their artistic quality and experience. The Artist must share evidence for each artwork reference as part of their portfolio. Previous experience with art-tech experimentation projects will be valued but does not represent a condition for participation.
• The natural persons who act as Artists have to be citizens or permanent residents in any of the eligible countries listed:
  • The Member States of the European Union and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) or
  • Associated Countries to Horizon Europe.
• The AIR consortium partners or their affiliates or employees or permanent collaborators are not eligible for funding within this open call.

For more information, visit S+T+ARTS AIR Residencies Programme.