AiR in Nurri, Sardinia

IVYnode is joining forces with Terra Vivente organizing the 2nd Art Residency Program with the theme “Su Bixinau”, the neighbourhood, in Nurri, a small village in the center of Sardinia. Thanks to the precious collaboration with Fondazione Sciola, Municipality of Nurri,  Proloco di Nurri and Archeogeo this 2nd Art Residency in Nurri will include an Exhibition in the Monastery of Santa Rosa in Nurri, a Symposium during the Festival Sant’Arte in San Sperate, and a 2nd Exhibition in San Sperate curated by Fondazione Sciola.

The theme of the Art Residency is ‘Su Bixinau’, Sardinian for ‘the neighbourhood’. The Bixinau has always been an important point of aggregation and socialization: women used to sit and talk to their neighbors, entertaining themselves in manual work such as sewing, knitting, etc. ; the streets pullulate of the voices of children playing, while the men held conversations among themselves. Not even 60 years ago every neighborhood was composed of more than 20 large families with even up to 10 children. The Bixinau, the street, was a strong meeting point in which people socialize. Today, where youth have left to study and work in urban centres, many houses are empty, but each day, the elderly sit on benches to visit and chat. The character of the Residency is transdisciplinary and it is open to artists, researchers, writers or everyone who wish to be integrated in an unique place where is still possible to appreciate authentic aspects, questioning themself about the Genius Loci, a Latin term used to describe the particular essence or spirit of a place (which is also an investigation in the work of IVYnode).

If your art practice embraces community interaction or collaboration in some way, temporary public art or site specific installation, sustainability or other models of art as social practice, this is the residency for you. The artists participating in the Art Residency in Nurri will have a unique opportunity to be part of the Symposium “Su Bixinau” during the Festival Sant’Arte, guests for 3 days of the Fondazione Sciola, to exhibit their work first in the Monastery of Santa Rosa in Nurri and then in San Sperate during a 2nd exhibiticion cureted by Fondazione Sciola.

During the residency the artists will live in private houses in the village of Nurri. Each house is independent and provide bathroom and a kitchen. The houses are located inside the village of Nurri and it would be easier to live in contact with the habitants and feeling the authenticity of the place getting the chance to know as well artisans who still preserve an ancient knowledge of old techniques that are risking to disappear.

The program includes:

• 3 days in San Sperate during Sant’Arte Festival and accommodation in shared dormitory at Scuola degli Scalpellini, guests of the Fondazione Sciola
• Symposium “Su Bixinau” during Sant’Arte Festival
• 3 weeks in Nurri, accommodation in shared rooms in private houses
• Exhibition in the Monastery of Santa Rosa in Nurri
• Second exhibition in San Sperate end of June or July (to be decided yet)

The organization does its best to support projects, providing guidance in acquiring materials, seeking information, making connections within the community. IVYnode is a non-profit network and tries to keep the fee and expenses of the participants at the minimum. The fee is 850€ and covers the cost of accommodation and the use of the studio. Artists must cover the cost of their own art supplies, food and transportation and to contribute to gas costs if they need to go somewhere by car. Cooking and cleaning are also the responsibilities of the artists. At the moment the organizers are not able to provide any funding but they will be happy to assist you by writing official letters of invitation or any appropriate documentation.

The program has a transdisciplinary approach. Emerging and established artists working in 2 and 3D media, performance, video, photography, sustainable materials, food, but also researchers and writers who have an interest in social practice, collaboration, cultural exchange program or research are invited to participate.

To apply please send the following information with deadline 28th February to: [email protected]:

• Summary of proposal (description of the work you would like to do, including the type of materials you would like to work with (max. 300 words)
• How your project (motivation) fits the theme “Su Bixinau” (the neighbourhood) (max. 300 words)
• A bio, web link, or other information about your art work or research

The selection of the artists is based on the curriculum, motivation letter and proposal.