In an ever more globalized world – especially when taking into consideration the great potential of digitalization, alongside the search for more ‘analogical’ relations – cultural relationship networks become increasingly important tools for placement. In this context, the residency format is particularly rich, as it allows for long-lasting encounters and fuels new creative (co)elaborations. Nonetheless, it is necessary to find new approaches that make action possible in various ways, as well as allow for multiple outcomes. In this world searching for a new order, the bilateral dynamics of here and there are no longer sufficient.
Rigorously, the West has transformed the globe – the sphere being the prototype of the equalitarian form – into a tower, that only knows top and bottom.
Uruguayan modernist Joaquín Torres-García is one of the first South Americans to point to this structural inequality of colonial traits and, as early as 1935, founded the Escuela del Sur. His map of the world ‘turned upside down’ appears today as a symbol of a new geopolitical setting.
Thus, the notion of a Global South has become more and more prominent, a geopolitical belt that extends from Brazil, going through Africa and India, across to Indonesia. The intellectual and transcontinental exchange in the Southern Hemisphere is growing rapidly. The protagonists of this dialogue are decisively emancipating themselves from the US as well as from Europe
In this process, Brazil, the economically most expressive country in South America, plays a particular role given its political prestige and for being able to establish a South-South dialogue on economics, politics and culture that for a long time had been needed as a concurrent direction to the North-South dialogues. This shift in perspective allows for the rise of new cultural and geopolitical scenarios, as well as new fields of action that will be of great relevance for the intercultural dialogue with the countries of the ‘North’ and, therefore, to Germany as well. That is, in order to hold an audible voice in future discourses, it is indispensable for Europe to open itself to the perspectives of the South and to better understands them.
Starting from this focus on the ‘South’, the residents of the first two years (2016 through 2017) will be part of the intercontinental project Episoden des Südens (Episodes of the South) developed in South America.
Up to four residents will be invited at a time, for periods of up to two months, therefore amounting to up to 20 residents per year, to develop their research pertaining to the ‘South’ at the locale, and to interact with the local cultural scene, the city and nature. There is no obligation for there to be production, and the result is open. Still, residents are required to hold a public presentation with available partners, if possible, twice during their stay.
Die Residenzräume sind in der von Museen und Theatern umgebenen Villa des Goethe-Instituts beherbergt. Das Institut verfügt mit seinem Studio-Theater, den beiden Galerien, dem Innenhof, der Bibliothek und weiteren (Seminar-)Räumlichkeiten über ideale Voraussetzungen für Begegnung, Reflexion, Präsentation und Kultur-Produktion.
The accommodations for the residencies are lofts. Besides these spaces, there is a kitchen planned to be an environment for social interaction in the residency; the pavilion at the patio can be used as an informal meeting spot where residents can get something to eat or drink together, as well as with visitors from the local scene. Still in the Institute, the house library offers other possibilities, as does the café under the balcony’s arches.
With the implementation of the residencies the Alumni program will also be started. The resident’s works must be continued and also kept in a collection both online and material, at Goethe-Institut Salvador-Bahia’s library. The Alumni meetings will be planned after a period still to be determined. There is also an interconnection planned with a global Alumni program to be implemented by Goethe Institut.
Amongst the partners of the Vila Sul Residency Program there are institutions that make the connections with the local scenes possible, as well as supporters who are consonant with the objectives of the program and of the Goethe Institut as a whole.
KfW Stiftung is an independent, non-profit foundation established in October 2012. Its main areas of activity include the promotion of cultural diversity in the field of art and culture as well as engagement in the areas of responsible entrepreneurship, society and ecology. In the area of art and culture, cultural practitioners from outside Europe are promoted. Together with partner organisations, KfW Stiftung creates platforms here for the international contemporary arts in order to strengthen creativity, freedom of expression and discursive capacity and thus promote cultural diversity.
Rethinking the South
All over the world, people face urgent questions about how to shape their lives in society and organize their coexistence. Brazil has long since become a symbolic stage for global challenges.
Starting in 2023, the Frankfurt-based KfW Stiftung, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, will initiate the three-year programme Rethinking the South – Repensando Sul, which will award four scholarships each year with a duration of two months under annually changing themes. In 2023, the Afro-Brazilian past, present and future will be discussed under the question of "Postcolonial Presence". The following years will be dedicated to urban spaces and urban development (2024) and to the climate crisis (2025).
Selection procedure
Internationally renowned experts from various artistic disciplines working in different regions in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East nominate outstanding cultural practitioners. Direct applications are not possible. A jury of experts decides on the submitted applications.
Jury 2023: Renate Heilmeier (Goethe Institut São Paulo), Dr Helio Menezes (Curator São Paulo Biennale 2022), Yvette Mutumba (Contemporary And, Stedelijk Museum, Curator), Maria Berrios (Curator), Daniela Leykam (KfW Stiftung).
The Musicboard also supports professional musicians by helping with their supraregional development and tries to ameliorate the infrastructure of the local music scene. Musicians can apply for instance for the ‘scholarships and residencies’ program to get the chance to work on new projects either in Berlin or abroad. Being a contact point Musicboard improves the transparency of already existing funding structures and provides mediation to the right contact person. 2016 it will be again responsible for the organization of the festival Pop-Kultur taking place 31st August – 2nd September in different venues in Berlin Neukölln.
The Council represents values shared by the artistic and literary community which inspires its practices: the respect of artists and writers’ autonomy and freedom of creation; the respect of artistic organizations’ artistic and administrative independence; the recognition of artistic merit by its peers; the conciliation of artistic and literary scenes; and the rigor and transparency of the methods of attributing financial assistance.
