The STUDIOTOPIA residency programme is an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between the arts and sciences to promote sustainable development. This year it focuses specifically on the concept of the Symbiocene, a term coined by the Australian philosopher and environmentalist Glenn Albrecht that proposes a future in which different species (human and non-human) relate to each other through mutually beneficial collaborations.
The call for residencies at LABoral Centro de Arte is aimed at an emerging artist or collective of artists who submit a proposal to work on the challenge designed by LABoral Centro de Arte’s Local Challenge Committee (LCC), formed by the scientist Felipe Lombó, the artist María Castellanos and GRIGRI collective, experts in disciplines related to the framework.
The artist will work together with the scientist Felipe Lombó to tackle the challenge posed, translating the collaboration into an artistic project.
Challenge description
The human body is a complex ecosystem made up of a multitude of species. Our health depends on the balance between all these co-inhabitants which, in many cases, are protagonists in the processes of elaboration of the food that nourishes us.
Asturias offers numerous examples of biodiversity of species to improve the health of our ecosystem, such as fungi, microorganisms and bacteria. Moreover, Asturias is the EU territory with the greatest diversity of fermented dairy products linked to a great wealth of species and artisanal processes.
At a time in human history when the price and distribution of food is affected by geopolitical issues, obesity rates are rising in Europe and we need to redesign the way we produce and consume food, we are interested in addressing this issue from the perspective of health and food sustainability.
This residency invites an artist or collective of artists to explore, through this diversity, the different collaborations that exist between these species, their role in food production and the different aspects of human health, with the aim of searching for a healthy diet.
Participants must investigate these processes in the Asturian context and its biodiversity.
Characteristics of the residence
The artistic residency will run from April to November 2025 and is aimed at artists interested in microbiology, food and health.
LABoral will provide accommodation, a studio and access to fabLAB, LABoratorio de sonido, audiovisual equipment and production support from a team with experience in more than 300 artistic and creative residencies. The selected artist will be part of LABoral’s creative community and the synergies generated among all the participants.
The Committee of Experts will provide advice, guidance and contacts with organisations and agents relevant to the research.
As part of Studiotopia, LABoral will carry out an artistic and scientific education programme in which the artist-in-residence is expected to take part, with the development of a workshop for primary school children. The final artwork will be presented in an exhibition to be inaugurated in early December.
LABoral is collaborating in this residency with the research group BIONUC (Biotechnology of Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Compounds) of the University of Oviedo.
Fees: 4000 euros
Travel allowance: maximum 1000
Production budget: 7.500 euros
These amounts are gross and subject to the relevant deductions.
Requirements
To be eligible for the residency, proposals must be submitted by an artist active in ‘visual arts’ and/or ‘performing arts’, including disciplines such as new media, video and digital art, sculpture, performing arts, drawing, dance, theatre and interdisciplinary approaches.
The artist must have produced less than 5 solo exhibitions and/or less than 15 group exhibitions.
The nationality of the applicant must not coincide with the nationality of the established scientist, in this case Felipe Lombó (Spanish).
The applicant must have produced sufficient documented work to allow the evaluation of the artistic portfolio. Must show a minimum of artworks, artistic research practices and/or group or solo exhibitions.
Willingness to travel abroad.
The deadline for submitting the call will remain open until 7 November 2024
The STUDIOTOPIA residency programme is an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between the arts and sciences to promote sustainable development. This year it focuses specifically on the concept of the Symbiocene, a term coined by the Australian philosopher and environmentalist Glenn Albrecht that proposes a future in which different species (human and non-human) relate to each other through mutually beneficial collaborations.
The call for residencies at LABoral Centro de Arte is aimed at an emerging artist or collective of artists who submit a proposal to work on the challenge designed by LABoral Centro de Arte’s Local Challenge Committee (LCC), formed by the scientist Felipe Lombó, the artist María Castellanos and GRIGRI collective, experts in disciplines related to the framework.
The artist will work together with the scientist Felipe Lombó to tackle the challenge posed, translating the collaboration into an artistic project.
