Call for Applications: Artist-in-Residence Program—Graphic Design
Since 2009, the University of Montpellier has hosted an artist or artistic team in residence at its laboratories and academic departments. Since 2013, these residencies have been co-funded by the DRAC and are now part of the agreement betweenUM the DRAC Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées.
Initially, the artists developed Art/Science projects and explored the relationship between artistic creation and the scientific disciplines.
The 2014–2015 academic year marked a turning point for theUM artist-in-residence programs. The Microclimax collective was hosted against the backdrop of the merger between the Universities of Montpellier 1 and Montpellier 2, which took effect on January 1, 2015. The work of artistic exploration and production was therefore conceived not only in relation to the living environment and in response to the University’s policies, but also in connection with the research and teaching programs offered. The University’s new scope allowed for an expansion into “non-scientific” disciplines. Choreographer Leonardo Montecchia, in residence this year, explored the theme of the (useless) gesture at the University, drawing on this new diversity.
The 2016–2017 residency invites reflection on the theme of “graphics.” Once again, its goal is to foster points of contact and intersection between the fields of art and the disciplines taught at the University of Montpellier. The artist will collaborate with faculty members, Professors students, particularly in connection with the Faculty of Sciences (specifically the departments of mathematics and computer science), ISEM, the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of Education in Montpellier…
The University of Montpellier
Formed by the merger of Montpellier 1 and Montpellier 2 Universities in January 2015, the University of Montpellier is currently the largest university in Languedoc-Roussillon and the sixth-largest in France.
It has 45,000 students spread across 17 academic units, including:
- 9 schools: Economic and Social Administration (AES), Law and Political Science, Economics, Education, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Sciences (biology and ecology, evolution and the environment, chemistry, earth and water, mathematics and computer science…), Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS)
- 6 institutions: Business Administration (IAE), General Administration Preparatory Program (IPAG), Business and Management Sciences (ISEM), the Béziers University Institute of Technology (IUT), the Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology (IUT), and the Nîmes University Institute of Technology (IUT)
- Two institutions: the Research Environmental Research Observatory (OREME) and Polytech’ Montpellier.
Beyond the field of education, the University of Montpellier also comprises 76 research units organized around nine scientific themes. More than 4,500 staff members (instructors, Professors administrative staff) work there.
UM and promotes major collections in botany, paleontology, zoology, mineralogy, anatomy, and documentation.
The Art & Culture Department
The Art & Culture Department is a department ofUM of the Office of Campus Life. Its mission is to organize activities that encourage and promote students’ and staff members’ engagement with the world of culture and various forms of artistic expression.
The department’s activities are organized around several key areas: artistic workshops, the organization of cultural events on campus, outreach initiatives with local cultural organizations, and support for cultural initiatives led by various university stakeholders (students, Professors, cultural associations, academic units, and research laboratories). Hosting artists-in-residence is one of the highlights of the department’s cultural and artistic activities.
Artistic fields: visual arts – drawing
; Theme : Graphic Design
The term “graphical” has multiple meanings. As an adjective, it refers to drawing techniques as well as to the representation of language through symbols. As a noun, it refers to figures illustrating the evolution of a phenomenon, to techniques for representing information using drawings and diagrams, and to tracings produced by a recording device.
From graphics cards in computer science, to graphs describing economic conditions, to graph theory in mathematics, many academic disciplines make direct reference to this term. Whether we are teachers, Professors, students, or administrative staff, we all use graphs in classes, PowerPoint presentations, posters, and reports. Their educational value is widely harnessed in all forms of communication, and to paraphrase Napoleon I: a good graph is worth more than a long speech!
The artist-in-residence will be expected to integrate their artistic research with the wealth of activities and the semantic range evoked by the terms “graph” and “graphic” at our institution.
Their proposal should play with our mental representations and offer an offbeat perspective on disciplines that draw upon graphs and graphic design.
Pencil, pen, marker, engraving, digital drawing—all techniques are welcome.
Special attention will be given to the format of the presentation in order to specifically engage student audiences (publications, screenings, exhibitions, performances, installations, etc.).
The artist-in-residence immerses themselves in the disciplines and engages with students, teachers, Professors administrative and technical staff.
The artist gains insights that will inform the artistic production phase.
Step 1: Exploration and Research // Fall 2016 (between September and December—depending on the academic calendar):
- establishing contact with partners and students and immersing oneself in the coursework to develop an artistic project;
- exploration of research areas;
- an in-depth exploration of the issues at play and the spaces for conceiving artistic work.
Step 2: Creation // Spring 2017 (between February and April):
- the design and creation of the artwork;
- submission of work;
- meetings and outreach activities aimed at the university community and the residents of Montpellier;
- leading an artistic workshop on the artist’s approach, or even their specific project for the University.
A suitable workspace will be provided based on the project's needs.
Financial Terms
A total budget of 8,000 euros* is allocated to cover compensation for research, creative work, and outreach activities; the facilitation of a 20-hour workshop; and the artist’s travel and lodging expenses.
*This amount is subject to the approval of funding from the various partners.
Recruitment Process
Applications must be submitted by July 4, 2016, inclusive.
Please submit via email in PDF format or by mail:
Attn: Éléonore Szturemski / Marta Cases Bobadilla
Email
University of Montpellier
Art & Culture Department
Attention: Éléonore Szturemski / Marta Cases Bobadilla
Place Eugène Bataillon, P.O. Box 438
34095 Montpellier Cedex 5
Please include the following with your application:
- a resume;
- images of the artwork;
- a note on the artistic approach;
- a statement of intent explaining how the residency project addresses the issues related to your practice, and possibly a preliminary proposal.
Applications will be reviewed on July 13, 2016, by a selection committee composed of members of the Art & Culture Department, key figures in the cultural life of the University of Montpellier, and representatives of the DRAC Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées. Candidates will be notified as soon as the committee reaches a decision.