Vtape’s award-winning Curatorial Incubator™ returns, inviting applications from emerging curators.
What the F**k?! invites curatorial proposals that respond to the psychic and cultural shock unleashed by the political crisis in democracy. Uttering “What the F**k?!” signals that the unbelievable has happened, yet the expression sustains a moment of inquiry. What can art do? As the current era aligns the sublimity of awe and danger with the mood of urgency and activism, uncertainty reigns. The affects of anger, denial, alienation and despair arise and are simultaneously anaesthetized by the promise of pleasure and beauty. Speaking truth-to-power is enacted by the supposed “fools” of culture – late-night comedians, artists and other marginalized agents. This residency seeks to reflect upon video’s affective power to focus attention, forge relations, and invent ways of collective feeling that reimagine aspiration, consolation and freedom.
Participants in The Curatorial Incubator, v.15 will have an opportunity to hone their curatorial skills in the media arts in a number of important ways: attending specialized workshops conducted by arts professionals; conducting independent research using the rich resources available through Vtape; writing a curatorial essay for their program of selected titles, with invaluable editorial assistance provided by arts professionals; and, finally, presenting their curated program to the public.
If your proposal is selected for production, you will receive fees for both curating and writing and a budget to cover the screening fees for the titles that are included in your program.
Research phase (April – July 2018) includes:
*workshops conducted by Jennifer Fisher, Jim Drobnick and other professionals specializing in media arts,
*free access to the vast research facilities on site at Vtape, with over 4000 titles by 800+ artists and over 2500 articles on video art, and
*extensive access to the Vtape on-line preview resource available only to curators and authorized researchers.
Presentation phase (December 2018) includes:
*an exhibition of all the curated programs with an introduction by the curator, and
*a fully illustrated catalogue of all the programs with curatorial essays.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
Proposals must include:
>>an up-to-date c.v.
>>a statement of intention (1 page in total) that outlines your interest in video and media artwork and why you want to be part of The Curatorial Incubator, v.15 – What the F**k?! Video in the Age of Sublime Uncertainty.
NOTE: your statement of intention does NOT have to include a list of titles you would include. Rather it should try to clarify your overall area of interest. You will have lots of time to do your research to find the titles you want to include if you are selected for this program.
>>examples of critical writing you have done (published or non-published)
>>examples of curatorial or organizational work you have done
OTHER REQUIRED INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY PROPOSALS
>>indicate your availability for workshops April 21-22, 2018 (days)
NOTE: If you are from outside of Toronto, please indicate how you would cover the costs of your travel to the workshops (to be held over 1 weekend) and some additional time for on-site research at Vtape.
And don’t worry; you won’t be held to your original proposal but keep in mind that the jury will need to get an idea of what kind of work you are going to be searching for. Surprises are to be expected along the way. That’s what research is all about.
Jennifer Fisher and Jim Drobnick form the curatorial collaborative DisplayCult, a collaborative framework for interdisciplinary studies in the visual arts. Its main objective is to creatively merge disciplines, media and communities in order to propose generative prototypes for display and aesthetic engagement. Fisher and Drobnick have published widely on contemporary art, post-media practices and curating. They are the founding editors of the Journal of Curatorial Studies, and their exhibitions include NIGHTSENSE, MetroSonics, Odor Limits, Listening Awry, Do Me!, Aural Cultures, Linda Montano, reminiSCENT, Museopathy, Vital Signs and CounterPoses, among others (www.displaycult.com).
Send applications to:
Lisa Steele, Creative Director, Vtape
401 Richmond St. West, #452, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8