Joan Jonas to lead 2016 Visual Arts Workshop

The American artist Joan Jonas (New York, 1936) will direct Fundación Botín’s 2016 Visual Arts Workshop, to be held at Fundación Botín’s Villa Iris in Santander from June 6 to 23.

The 15 selected artists will both participate in the production of a new work by Joan Jonas and develop individual work that will focus on the subject of landscape, whether rural or urban. Using different approaches and perspectives, the artist will discuss the issue of sustainability in rural areas, taking into account “biodiversity and the conservation of traditions, architecture and landscape.” The resulting work will be presented at Villa Iris for two weeks as of June 23, while Fundación Botín’s exhibition space will feature the new work by Joan Jonas from June 24 to October 16.

Artists wishing to be considered for this workshop are invited to reflect upon the part landscape plays in their work. While this notion can of course be interpreted in different ways according to one’s interests and/or medium, the issue of sustainability in a rural area is an important one, whether from the standpoint of biodiversity, the preservation of traditions, architecture and landscapes. The issues implied are shared all over the world, as habitats are misused or disappear. One may choose any detail in the social network of nature to focus on. This might include certain systems such as roads or rivers, trees or wildlife.

Given the scope of this workshop, some excursions will be organized to the adjacent rural area of the Nansa Valley, where Fundación Botín has been unfolding a Rural Development Program aimed at re-dynamizing the valley and preserving its heritage. Travel to other sites of specific interest may also be scheduled, such as to gardens of exception.

Please note:
-The workshop will be carried out in English.
-Participating in this workshop may require light trekking.
-Artists wishing to use video or sound should bring their own recording devices.
-Participants to the workshop are expected to stay for its entire duration.

Fundación Botín provides accommodation, work space and basic work material and any other material per the instruction of the workshop director. In addition, each participating artist will receive a small stipend of 600 EUR.

Applications can be submitted until April 9, 2016 here.

The Villa Iris visual arts workshops have been taking place for the past 23 years and have been directed by such renowned artists as Miroslaw Balka, Tacita Dean, Carlos Garaicoa, Paul Graham, Mona Hatoum, Jannis Kounellis, Antoni Muntadas, Gabriel Orozco, Julião Sarmento and Juan Uslé.

In addition, Fundación Botín is pleased to offer eight visual art grants and two others for young Spanish curators wishing to study abroad.

Deadline for application to the visual art grants is May 6, apply here.

Deadline for application to the exhibition curator and museum management grants is May 13, apply here.