Art Explora Foundation develops its international programme of artists’ and researchers’ residencies with the launch of Tirana Art Residency—Vila 31 x Art Explora, a new programme in Albania whose first call for applications is open until June 5th.
Located at Vila 31, the former domicile of dictator Enver Hoxha, Tirana Art Residency—Vila 31 x Art Explora aims to extend the local dynamic of reopening and reappropriation by the public of this historical venue. The architectural project chosen to renovate Vila 31 is run by the NeM architecture agency, which wants to maintain a balance between the duty of preservation of the site and its problematic history and the necessity of introducing neutral spaces to rewrite new (hi)stories.
Three residency sessions will welcome up to thirty artists and researchers per year:
Session 1: December 2024–February 2025
Session 2: April 2025–June 2025
Session 3: August 2025–October 2025
Two three-month programmes are proposed:
— Solo programme for artists from Albania and Balkans (50%) and international artists
— Collective programme for a collective or a duo of artists researchers, scientists and/or curators
Each resident benefits from:
— A fully equipped and furnished studio-apartment in Vila 31, Tirana
— A living grant of 600 euros per month
— A production grant of 1500 euros
— A round trip to Tirana
— Access to production studios
— Access and use of an exhibition space
The selection committee is composed of international leading figures specialized in contemporary art, including specialists in the Balkans:
— Pierre Bal-Blanc (France): Independent curator and essayist
— Sam Bardaouil & Till Fellrath (Germany): Curators and co-directors of Hamburger Banhof: Museum of Contemporary Art, Berlin
— Adela Demetja (Albania) : Independent curator, author and director of the Tirana Art Lab, Albania
— Katerina Gregos (Greece): Curator, lecturer, writer and Director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens
— Alicia Knock (France): Curator in the Contemporary Creation and Prospective Department of the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris
— Hans Ulrich Obrist (UK & Switzerland): Art historian, contemporary art critic, curator and artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries, London
Find out more information on the Art Explora website.
