The digitization of our world has accelerated faster than ever with the pandemic. We look at ourselves in the reflection on a computer screen and tirelessly wonder who/what we are becoming. Each day is the moment which N. Katherine Hayles defined as “a critical juncture when interventions might be made to keep disembodiment from being rewritten, once again into the prevailing concept of subjectivity.” While the fear of the posthuman world reemerges, others may see this moment as an opportunity to revisit and rethink problematic practices rooted within the history of humanism.

In the age of New Media, how can we use technology to debunk the myth of universal human nature? How can one become a xeno – a foreign entity that constructs its own reality by rejecting universality and installing an updated reimagined-self?

For the second edition of SpeakAIR in collaboration with motomoto, we invite an artist working in the fields of digital art and new media art to explore your idea of “xeno” and how this state will impact our perspective of the world. The selected artist will conduct research online for a month to build ideas by involving the online audience into the thinking process. Our platforms should be used as a map of your research.

After the period, the artist will be given 3 months to complete the project for the exhibition in the fall at motomoto, a micro artist residency in Kumamoto Japan, along with their artist resident Mutsumi Tomosada. Our online/remote residency aims to offer a context for an artist to develop his/her/their work. For this reason, we are looking for someone who takes this opportunity seriously. Since this is an online/remote residency, we give priority to a project that can be realized easily without the presence of the artist.

Application Deadline
March 22, 23:59 (EST)

Residency Time-Frame
Research Period: May 03 – 28
Production Period: June 01 – August 31
Exhibition: Fall (dates to be discussed)

Eligibility
The ideal candidate will:
-be a person of any nationality working in the fields of digital art, new media, sound art, video art, film, performance, installation, coding, 3D.
-actively engage with the audience via live-streamings and online workshops during the research period.
-have basic social media and video making skills.
-be familiar with Wix.
-be able to complete a project by the fall (September or October).
-be able to communicate in English.

Requirements
-Daily post on our blog and social media page.
-Mandatory participation in monthly meetings and online events.
-Completion of the project before the exhibition.
-Respect the submitted schedule.

Support
-A stipend of 300 CAD from SpeakArt at the completion of the entire program
-An exhibition at motomoto in Japan. Artist will be responsible for production and transportation of the works.
-Online events at our virtual space
-Technical support and consultation from SpeakArt during the research and production period.
-Installation support from motomoto during the exhibition period.
-Featured on SpeakArt and motomoto websites and social media

Please send your application materials to speakair.info@gmail.com before midnight (EST) 22nd March 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 5th April and invited for an interview.

In one single PDF (max 15mb) named as your “FirstName-LastName”:

-Outline of your project (max 2 pages)
-Updated Portfolio (5 pages maximum, max 10 mb)
Detailed schedule of your research (max 2 pages) including ;
-Dates and Time
-A brief explanation of the research method e.g) livestreaming on facebook once a week, daily Instagram posts, video documentation etc.
-CV with contact information, website and social media contacts (max 2 pages)

For inquiries, contact us at speakair.info@gmail.com