Playful Obscura 2025

About the Residency

The residency reflected a recognition of the growing importance and artistic potential of playful media and arthouse games within the broader art world, with a specific focus on the emerging African scene. It aimed to support innovative and experimental art practices that pushed the boundaries of traditional forms and acknowledged the increasing interconnection between art, technology, and interactive experiences. The residency hosted two artists simultaneously.

Who Applied?

We sought artists based in Africa who worked within playful media and arthouse game development disciplines. This included game designers, digital artists, interactive installation artists, and those who explored the intersection of games and art in innovative ways. Consideration was given to artists at various career stages, aiming for a mix of emerging and mid-career artists to foster dialogue and exchange.

Artists needed to be skilled enough to work independently in the manner of a solo artist or game creator on their project. Outsourcing or receiving support from a residency colleague or the local community was appreciated but involved no extra budget.

What the Residency Provided

Given the intensive two-week duration, the support is focused:

• Term: Two weeks, 15 to 27 September.
• Location: Ho, Volta Region- Ghana.
• Number of Artists: The residency will host two artists.
• Living Space: A Dedicated living space will be provided for both artists, ideally to foster a sense of community and allow for informal interaction. Spaces are intended to be clean and comfortable, which may be private or shared.
• Work Space: A dedicated shared workspace will be provided, for ideation and development of the project(s).
• Stipend: A stipend of 200 euros will be provided for each participant.
• Production Cost: A production cost of up to a 1000 euros per participant will be provided. This will cover material cost and any other cost necessary to realise the proposed project.
• Catering: Provision will be made for catering for the entire duration of the residency which covers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Program: There will be opportunities for sharing and feedback between the two resident artists, peer-to-peer learning and exchange is encouraged, potentially including workshops and open studio visits with the local community.
• Engagement: Exploration of the local environment in Ho, Volta Region-Ghana, as a potential source of inspiration and community engagement  is encouraged.

Selection Process

Playful Obscura is aimed at identifying applicants whose practice aligns with the residency's focus on playful media and arthouse game development. Selection would be determined by an advisory panel consisting of project partners. The selection criteria will consider the artistic merit and the potential for development within the two-week timeframe.

Jury:

• A MAZE.
• Node Eight Foundation
• Goethe-Institut

How to Apply

Please prepare materials that best demonstrate your practice in playful media and/or arthouse games including portfolio, project proposal, links, etc. The call will be open until August 8th. Only successful applicants will be notified, if you have not received any communication by August 10 consider your application unsuccessful.

Application Timeline: 

• Open call deadline: August 8
• Announcement of selected participants: August  15
• Residency Dates: September 15–27