Naked State art residency
International Call
Bare Oaks, Canada
Facilitator: Teresa Ascencao
Program Dates: August 5 – 15, 2016
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2016
Naked State is a 10-day residency to create artworks that explore the nude human body in context of nature, culture and art. For the duration of the residency, the artists and residency Facilitator live as *naturists (in the nude) within the Bare Oaks naturist community to create works that explore questions such as: What is nudity? Does stripping away clothing rid us of class, gender, and personal expression?; Do the connections between our bodies and the land change when nude? Is nudity always sexual? What is the role of the nude in historical and contemporary art?; Is an animal with fur naked? Is it possible to be civil in the nude?; Is there a natural state for human being? Residents work individually or collaboratively to create artworks that explore these questions through media of their choice, such as photography, video, installation, drawing, painting, performance art, dance, sound art, media art, etc.
Artists will have opportunities to socialize and integrate with the Bare Oaks naturist community at campfires, swimming, and sharing meals. This programmed residency offers workshops, group discussions with naturism advocate *Stéphane Deschênes, guest visits by artists and members of the Bare Oaks community, and plenty of studio time. Critiques of residents’ works occur on a regular basis, individually with the Facilitator and through facilitated group discussions. There will be a closing event, whereby artists present their creative explorations to the Bare Oaks community. Naked State art residency welcomes people in all walks of life and genders into a journey of creative exploration and self-discovery.
*Naturism is the practice of complete nudity in a social setting. Though nudity is the most obvious aspect of naturism, it is simply a tool to reach closer to a natural state. The purpose of naturism is to promote wholesomeness and stability of the human body, mind, and spirit. It also promotes wellbeing through complete contact of the body with the natural elements. For a full description of naturism, visit BareOaks.ca/index.php/en/about-naturism.
Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park is a year-round naturist park near Toronto in Canada, where individuals and families experience traditional naturist values in a modern setting. It is nestled among the natural wilderness of the Ontario Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine. Its varied landscape includes open spaces, forests, ponds, streams and a small lake. Amenities include a store, restaurant, sun deck, TV and sports lounge, outdoor pool, whirlpool, saunas, exercise room, laundromat, and a small common kitchen with microwave and fridge. Wireless Internet can be purchased at the front desk. The Outback common room will be dedicated as a large shared studio space for the duration of the residency. Private, shared and campsite accommodations are available. There is some wheel chair accessibility. Please discuss accessibility details with the Facilitator. Bare Oaks is located in Gwillimbury, just 30 minutes North-East of Toronto. For more information visit BareOaks.ca and watch some videos at Youtube.com/user/BareOaks/videos.
For details and how to apply visit: NakedState.ca