Anchor. Photo by Maayan Strauss, 2011.
Two thousand artists apply for ZIM-sponsored Container Artist Residency places
By James Brewer
Artists from dozens of nations have signalled huge enthusiasm for the opportunity offered by a leading shipping company to spend three weeks at sea acquiring inspiration for new work.
More than 2, 000 applications have been lodged to an international open call by the project Container Artist Residency 01 and its sponsor ZIM Integrated Shipping Services.
Seven of the artists will be selected to go on an expenses-paid voyage in early 2016 on one of ZIM’s 80 modern containerships and given facilities to produce artworks. The scheme is believed to be the first of its kind on such a scale.
A statement from the organisers said that when the open call to participate closed on November 8, they found there had been “an astonishing influx” of more than 2, 000 applications from over 50 countries.
The artists practise many forms of visual art: sculpture and installation, photography, filmmaking, painting, digital media and performance.
Control Room. Photo by Maayan Strauss, 2011.
“Container Artist Residency 01 will host the seven artists with a fully-funded voyage on board a ZIM Integrated Shipping Services container ship. Each artist will receive a studio space and accommodation in a ship’s cabin for up to three weeks, in addition to an honorarium, return travel allowance and production budget, ” said the organisers.
“The artists will explore their practice within this exceptional environment, with the aim to produce artworks that will be inspired by the containerships and global commerce. The artworks will be presented in a travelling exhibition spanning over seven global cities, with the premiere to be held in New York City on September 2016, and ending in Tel Aviv.”
The artists would be “participating in a creative journey.”
Next step is for a jury including curators Sofia Hernandez Chong Cuy, Niels Van Tomme, and Xiaoyu Weng, with project curator Prem Krishnamurthy and project founder Maayan Strauss, to select seven artists in residence. “The jury is excited to begin the review process, which will be concluded with the announcement of the chosen artists by the end of December 2015, ” said the statement.
“Container Artist Residency 01 seeks to forge new connections between individual practices and vast global networks. Recognizing the shipping industry as today’s dominant cultural-economic force that is responsible for over 90% of the world’s international trade, the project invites artists to rethink their practice in these terms.”
