residencies
As we move into the post-COVID 19 world we find that things have changed. The future, once certain and clear, is now unknown. The crisis of the last few months has impacted all of us and has especially created uncertainty for artists. Mobility has always been a key part of our practice, but now the specifics of travel will probably change. Cheap flights may become a thing of the past. Higher insurance, immunity passports, more difficulty in physically moving across borders; things previously unimagined, may become the new norm. How will this affect artists and the art community? We conceived our independent art space, Bloom, just before the lockdown hit, and the question has naturally preoccupied us as we try and reimagine our ideas to fit the current realities.
Residencies have always been an integral part of artistic life. They enrich, inform, they inspire. So, it is important that they continue in this unknown future. Our vision for residencies has three strands. Firstly, traditional residencies where the artist works in our studio space culminating in an exhibition and a workshop/talk. They live and work in Valencia, become part of it, and get involved in its cultural and artistic life. Secondly, virtual residencies where the artist is based in their home studio, but their work is shown digitally at events at Bloom. These could involve one or several artists and spaces, and a range of events, such as a digital installation show, a livestream artist talk, a multi-space, multi-local performance. They offer the opportunity for artists to show in different places without the financial burden of physically moving. Thirdly, we want to partner with rural residencies near Valencia and offer an urban exhibition space for their artists to broaden their residency experience.
All of these allow a flexibility which allows artists to continue to experience residencies, to network, to evolve their practice, but adaptable enough to fit individual needs and constraints. We believe that art will adapt creatively to the new normal, transforming the existing options for artistic cooperation and connectivity to new levels. Instead of seeing the future as bleak and frightening, we should embrace it as a chance to experiment and change. Art has always thrived under adversity and it will continue to thrive under these new challenges, ushering in new ways of working together which will allow more opportunities that were once perhaps not available to all.
Residencies have always been an integral part of artistic life. They enrich, inform, they inspire. So, it is important that they continue in this unknown future. Our vision for residencies has three strands. Firstly, traditional residencies where the artist works in our studio space culminating in an exhibition and a workshop/talk. They live and work in Valencia, become part of it, and get involved in its cultural and artistic life. Secondly, virtual residencies where the artist is based in their home studio, but their work is shown digitally at events at Bloom. These could involve one or several artists and spaces, and a range of events, such as a digital installation show, a livestream artist talk, a multi-space, multi-local performance. They offer the opportunity for artists to show in different places without the financial burden of physically moving. Thirdly, we want to partner with rural residencies near Valencia and offer an urban exhibition space for their artists to broaden their residency experience.
All of these allow a flexibility which allows artists to continue to experience residencies, to network, to evolve their practice, but adaptable enough to fit individual needs and constraints. We believe that art will adapt creatively to the new normal, transforming the existing options for artistic cooperation and connectivity to new levels. Instead of seeing the future as bleak and frightening, we should embrace it as a chance to experiment and change. Art has always thrived under adversity and it will continue to thrive under these new challenges, ushering in new ways of working together which will allow more opportunities that were once perhaps not available to all.
2022 Artist-in-residence: Amr FahedSyrian digital artist, Amr Fahed, will be Bloom's first artist-in-residence this autumn.
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