***In
light of the recent measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we
decided to prolong the application deadline until 5 January 2021.***
CALL FOR PRESENCE
In
theory there is no difference between Michelangelo, Louise Bourgeois,
Martha Graham and Simone de Beauvoir: they all start out from that empty
moment, that blank canvas, and then decide when they will let the world
in. The time Michelangelo spent staring at his block of marble before
he carved the Pietà: that is noiseless time.
Nowadays,
when art is systematically being associated with the realm of
commodities, when the work of art needs to meet the demands of
production and deliver results saleable on the market, with MILL’s
Beauty Salon we want to mark out the moment of noiseless time – when the realms of beauty and reality come together and feed the artistic process.
With
MILL’s Reality Salon we want to address the question of whether the era
of BEAUTY is over and whether REALITY has now become the main topic of
artistic interest. Is it the case that the true moment of exploration
occurs when one word is mistaken for another? We wish that the artists
of the salon, instead of going in one direction or another, remain open
for the clash of these two notions – in its poetic and formal quest.
MILL’s
Beauty Salon was born out of the desire to continue the
multidisciplinary artistic exploration that Needcompany began more than
30 years ago. We want to create a space in which to keep heritage on the
move and open ourselves up for new encounters with artists of different
generations, experiences and visions.As one of the
most funded independent theatre organizations in Flanders, we feel an
urge to share resources in the current crisis, to create possibilities
for those in need and to create awareness of the sensibility and
precariousness of those who keep the arts alive.
MILL’s Reality
Salon is related to MILL – Needcompany’s artistic house in the heart of
Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, which, since March 2017, has been a place for
thinking, creating, rehearsing, connecting and exchanging.
MILL’s
Beauty Salon is neither a residency nor a production-oriented programme.
We are explicitly committed to supporting artists in thinking, dreaming
and creating timelessly.Our wish is to support the artistic process by providing an environment and the required resources.
To
apply for MILL’s Reality Salon, we are only inviting artists (whether
individuals or collectives) who have never collaborated with Needcompany
before.
The budget of MILL’s Beauty Salon is 10 000 euro, which
will be granted to one or several artists, depending on the specific
needs of their proposals.
In addition to financial support,
Needcompany offers support in kind: a residency room at MILL (writers’
room), use of the studio at MILL (play room), and a dramaturgical
dialogue with the members of Needcompany. The selected artists will be
given the opportunity to present their work to the public at MILL.
The
fellowship is open to all nationalities & ages and designed for
artists who have developed an independent body of work over a number of
years.
We encourage applications from artists who have a link with Brussels, the heart of international thinking.
The timeframe of the fellowship is February–December 2021.
The jury will consist of the representatives of the artists, staff and board members of Needcompany, and a guest jury member.
HOW TO APPLY
Send us the following information:
YOUR NAME, DATE OF BIRTH and PLACE OF RESIDENCY
& the following attachments:
1) Your CV outlining your artistic experience
2) Your digital portfolio
3) Your statement, addressing the following questions:
– Why are you applying for MILL’s Beauty Salon?
– What does your artistic practice consist of today?
–
What do you propose for MILL’s Reality Salon? (describe your concrete
plan and estimate its budget and/or production conditions)
Email your application (up to 10MB) to: millsalon@needcompany.org
Deadline for submissions is 5 January 2021. Results will be announced by the beginning of February 2021.
Any questions? Email Kasia Tórz (kasia@needcompany.org), Needcompany’s artistic & programme developer.
