Krisztina Soós: It was a deeply cross-cultural experience for me

1.                 Dear Krisztina Soós, you/we have just returned from the DFEWA residency at Mallnitz in Austria. Please tell us more about your involvement in this residency. What made you join this residency and how would you describe the whole experience now that it's over?

Krisztina Soós: I had known Dorothea Fleiss, the organiser of the DFEWA residency, from another residency, so she was familiar with my work. When she invited me to Mallnitz for DFEWA, I was very excited – and not just because I love Carinthia (the region in which Mallnitz is located). Seriously, though, I am always happy to meet creative and original people - especially artists. So, I was delighted to see that for this residency, artists from seven different countries had signed up.

The reception upon arrival was very friendly, with some welcome drinks. Some of the participating artists have known each other years, others were meeting for the first time. As we spent time together in informal and friendly activities such as excursions, dance-and-song nights, or just hanging out in the beautiful village of Mallnitz, we developed greater understand of and appreciation for each other.

It was a deeply cross-cultural experience for me. I would never have imagined myself being able to communicate with people from the other side of the world without a common language, but it did happen.

Experiencing such different approaches and styles, chatting with the artists about their artistic philosophies, and seeing the very different yet evocative artworks developed at the residency was an amazing journey. I met some outstanding artists, for which I am grateful to this program and those who created it. I hope to meet some of the fellow resident artists again in the future.

 

2.                 What is the present role of artist residencies in the contemporary art
ecosystem?

Krisztina Soós: The art world is dynamic, and the role of artist residencies could also change dynamically over time. But fundamentally, these opportunities provide artists with dedicated time and space to productively focus on their creative work, while also benefiting from encouragement and help from other people with similar pursuits. In that sense, these residencies are similar to the hackathons that began as computer programming events, but have since expanded to other domains. Residencies often host talks, lectures, and discussions that contribute to the development of contemporary art theory and practice.

Many artist residencies host artists from diverse backgrounds. This cross-cultural exchange allows for a cross-pollination of ideas, techniques and styles, besides leading to the creation of more diverse and inclusive art. This networking opportunity can lead to collaborations, exhibitions, and future opportunities for artists to showcase their work.

 

3.     How do artist residencies meet the changing needs of individual artists?

Krisztina Soós: Some residencies tailor their support to individual artists' needs, providing a personalized experience and mentorship that addresses specific challenges and aspirations.

By offering a diverse range of programs and resources, artist residencies can effectively meet the evolving needs of individual artists, ensuring that they have the support and flexibility required to adapt to changing artistic landscape and personal growth trajectories.

Residencies can also be a time for artists to conduct research, delve into conceptual exploration, engage with specific themes or issues, and simply reflect on their craft. This can result in the development of bold, thought-provoking and socially-relevant art.

 

4.                 How can residencies provide alternative openings and infrastructures to nurture artistic work in the midst of current societal transformations and environmental crisis?

Krisztina Soós: Residencies do this by providing artists a safe, inspirational and productive window in time and space to express themselves. Nineteenth century author and art critic G. K. Chesterton said, “There must always be a rich moral soil for any artistic growth”. Artists are always at the leading edge of social morality. Hence, initiatives such as residencies, which nurture artistic work automatically contribute to the transformation of society beyond the artistic value of the resulting works.

Residencies can also establish partnerships with environmental organizations, research institutions, and advocacy groups to provide artists with access to resources, information, and expertise.

Artist residencies can serve as vital hubs for artistic responses to environmental challenges and societal transformations. They can provide artists with the space, resources, and support needed to create work that contributes to a deeper understanding of and engagement with the environmental crises of our time.

 

5.                 The practices and models of residencies are focused on cultural and societal development, rather than on that of the artists' careers. They are forging new connections and pathways between various regimes of society. As in the case of ecological biodiversity, it is today necessary to resist the homogenization of intellectual, aesthetic, and cultural knowledge. Are residencies reinforcing the process of cultural homogenization, or are they supporting cultural diversity?

Krisztina Soós: It's important to recognize that the impact of artist residencies on cultural diversity varies widely depending on their philosophy, leadership, programming, and the artists they attract.

There are some artist residencies that by virtue of their location or organisers’ networks, or other idiosyncratic reasons, focused on small local communities of artists. While supporting local artists is a worthwhile goal, such exclusionary artist selection can reinforce cultural homogenization.

I favour residencies that prioritize inclusivity, social engagement, and the celebration of diverse voices, thereby contributing positively to cultural diversity. Often these residencies would encourage their very diverse set of participating artists to immerse in local and regional cultures. These residencies often encourage artists to engage with the cultural heritage, traditions, and stories of the host community, thereby contributing to the preservation and celebration of cultural diversity.

Ultimately, the role of artist residencies in shaping cultural diversity versus homogenization is complex and multifaceted, and their impact should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Residencies that are intentional about their mission and values can have a significant positive influence on fostering cultural diversity within the arts.