Call for Entries: Artist Residency

a Wonder Women project at _gaia

Wonder Women X
Selfie: Us and Them

“I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best” -Frida Kahlo

Two hundred years after the invention of photography, digital technologies have given a ubiquitous and omnipresent power to the image of self that has altered our identity and our relationship to the image of ourselves indefinitely. Throughout any survey of art history one must recognize the self portrait of the artist. Artists choosing the subject of self and exploring through self expression, self knowledge and exhibition; in the creation of self image an identity they choose to share. It is in this seeming vulnerability and performance that artists have given themselves to the audience and created moments where we can glimpse their relationship to themselves. It is in choosing how one presents the self that we can deduce among many things: social, political, creative and introspective analysis the artist presents in the work. In the age of the selfie and the amateur the self portrait gains a new identity, arguably juvenile and unimportant and yet enormously powerful. In the tenth edition of Wonder Women we will explore the image of self in a world newly frot with millions of daily images of self. Reflecting and looking to the history of artists’ self portraiture we will also critique and understand our own modern relationships to self image, the #selfie, and image making as identity and brand.

Artists selected for the residency will explore contemporary writing and art historical and traditional themes of self portraiture combined with the new social and political trends of the digital #selfie and social media identity. Selfie: Us and Them will address issues related to identity, economy, technology and community. We are especially interested in digital media and technological explorations of this topic. Every Sunday, beginning September 4th through October 9th, accepted applicants will meet as a group at _gaia studio to discuss current social issues and topics brought forth by participants. There will be a potluck lunch each Sunday with group discussion and critique of works in progress. All accepted applicants must commit to all Sunday meetings (see schedule below). The program ends with a group exhibition opening October 21, 2016.

History:

Wonder Women is a residency program in its 10th year presented by _gaia at their studio in Jersey City, NJ. The Wonder Women mission is to engage underrepresented artists who are eager to participate in a collective dialogue about agency, gender, art and social change.

_gaia, an environment for creative process is dedicated to fostering women’s activism, art practice and study. This year the Wonder Women project is being organized and curated by Doris Caçoilo and Christine DaCruz.

Submission Guidelines

Wonder Women is currently accepting proposals from individuals working in all media and disciplines from the NJ/NY area. Artists are required to attend weekly meetings to take place at _gaia studio in Jersey City NJ.

Portfolio:

Artists should submit 5 to 10 images/samples of current works either by email submission or by slide sheet/CD/DVD. [Please submit images at 72dpi, and approximately 700 pixels wide.]

Proposals:

2-3 paragraphs describing a project you wish to complete during the residency. Please include any visual documentation of proposal ideas. Proposals should specify why and/or how this project or your work considers the themes of the residency. Technology-based work is strongly encouraged for application.

Additional Materials:

A resume/CV and short biography are required. An artist statement is recommended. Please include your name and contact information on each page.

Deadline:

Saturday August 27, 2016 by midnight EST

*notifications via email Monday August 29, 2016

Residency Meeting Times MANDATORY:

Meetings will take place on Sunday afternoons from 1pm to 6pm from September 4th, 2016 through October 9th (6 Sundays total). All meeting are mandatory for participation.

Calendar Dates:

August 27, 2016 by 12am EST Submission Deadline

August 29 Notification of Applicants

September 4         1-6 pm First Meeting

September 11        1-6 pm Second Meeting

September 18        1-6 pm Third Meeting

September 25        1-6 pm Fourth Meeting

October 2               1-6 pm Fifth Meeting

October 9               1-6 pm FINAL CRITIQUE and presentation of finished work

October 15, 16       Installation dates

Exhibition:

Living Incubator Performance Space {LIPS} in Newark, NJ

October 21 – November 30 tbd

Opening reception: Friday, October 21 6-9pm

Meetings will take place at _gaia, 315 3rd Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Please contact us with any questions or for more information. wonderwomen@gaiastudio.org

Selfie: a Wonder Women project at _gaia

Application

Name:

Address:

Contact information: (phone, e-mail)

Webpage/URL:

Brief statement of interest (2-3 paragraphs):

Artist Checklist:

Deadline for submission is August 27, 2016 by 12am EST

• Completed Application (form attached)

• Proposal

• Portfolio: digital materials/slides (5-10)

• Resume/CV and Bio

• Artist Statement (recommended, not required)

If you are submitting non-digital materials, please include SASE for return of materials. Send completed application and submission materials via e-mail to: wonderwomen@gaiastudio.org

or mail to _gaia at:

Doris Cacoilo c/o _gaia

315 3rd Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302