Stationen Svg, a peripheral art space on the west coast in Sweden, annonces an open call for a project including ten days residency (in the end of October)  and exhibition in November 2022. 

Stationen invites established/educated contemporary artists to apply.

Background: 

We have formulated and received funding for a project named The last drop of oil? (Sista droppen olja?) which has sprung from an interest for the global within the local and vice versa. Stenungsund, the municipality we live in and where Stationen is located, has developed around the petrochemical industry that refines products from oil. This fact is associated with a lot of opposing feelings between and within the people who live here. Along the coast, we have for many years had a growing problem with plastic rubbish drifting around and settling down like drifts on beaches and in rock crevices. At the same time many people are involved in and work at the industry, which also has plans for a sustainable production.  But we still ask; sustainable for whom, in what time and what part of the world?

For the project we have planned to invite one artist for a solo exhibition and a ten days stay here at Stationen with the opportunity to get involved with people and places connected to the local oil industry and coastal cleaning projects. During the exhibition we will arrange public talks, workshops and lectures. The artworks and the artistic practice will here have a role to generate discussions on the material and social effects that are produced from the human act of pumping up and refining oil. We are striving to have a nuanced and broad discussion that not just points out the obvious but also adds perspectives and layers to the complexity of this matter.

The chosen artist will be paid for exhibition compensation and the work during the stay. The residency includes a stay in our apartment in Stationen, which is simple but fully equipped and nice.

We follow the Swedish Arts Council’s recommendations: https://www.kulturradet.se/globalassets/start/sok-bidrag/vara-bidrag/avtal-for-konstnarers-ersattningar-mu-avtal/dokument-avtal-for-konstnarers-ersattningar-mu-avtal/mu18_eng.pdf

Application:

You are welcome to apply with already produced works that suit the theme, but it can also be possible to add new works during your stay.

Please send a short text about yourself, your artwork and how it is connected with the theme. Also describe why you want to join the project (max 1/2 page) Attach a few pictures of the works you apply with and a link to your website or portfolio.

Please send your questions and application to: kontakt@stationen.org no later than 15 May.