Fresh A.I.R. #2 – Class of 2019
- ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
- Fresh A.I.R. #2
- October 15, 2019
Over the past six months a total of 16 artists from seven nations have lived and worked directly under the roof of the URBAN NATION museum as part of Fresh A.I.R., the Artist in Residence scholarship program of URBAN NATION and Stiftung Berliner Leben. It was the second edition to date that not only lived in the eleven studio apartments, but also actively participated in life in the neighborhood and in the city in order to gather inspiration for unique art projects.
No matter if three or six months, each of the 16 artists used the time of the scholarship not only to get to know the people living in the neighborhood around the URBAN NATION museum better, but also to soak up the pulse of the city and realize unique projects from all the impressions. The surrounding conditions are perfect for the artists to deal with new themes artistically and also to discover and try out new techniques and approaches. Thus, each of them has the opportunity to massively expand his or her own individual artistic horizon. Clearly, this is also inspired by the international exchange among each other and with other artists and cultural creatives in the city.
The Artist in Residence scholarships and the artworks that are created follow certain thematic focuses. Behind the rather bulky term of “funding priorities” are topics such as the specificity of the location. Scholarship holders are encouraged to reflect on the tension between locality and urbanity. Social commitment is also part of the context in which the artists work. Social and community positioning as well as participation with residents or visitors of the museum play a role here. Topics such as diversity, equal opportunities and discrimination should also be taken up artistically by the scholarship holders. The projects created during Fresh A.I.R. #2 reflect these thematic focuses in a multi-faceted and exciting way.
Fresh A.I.R #2 – Class of 2019Alexandra Oancea | Alexandros Simopoulos | Alexis Fidetzis | Alina Suarasan | Anietie Ekanem | Bifido | Faisal Hussain | Liviu Bulea | Maja Tomaszewska | Nadine Baldow | Rafael Bresciani | Sara Bernabucci | Sebastian Wandl | Sibomana | Tania CelliniClick on the names to learn more about the artists and their projects. Here you can also find more picture galleries.
In a finale exhibition, the artists showed the results of their eventful creative processes at the end of their residency. Topics such as identity, origin, individuality, bullying, diversity and homeland were staged vividly in very different ways and in various artistic forms.We wish all artists of Fresh A.I.R. #2 the very best for their next adventures and look forward to seeing you again. A few days ago, the new scholarship holders moved into their residences. We are looking forward to presenting them to you shortly.
Photos: Nika Kramer
