THE SINGING OF SPRINGS
Open call for artist residencies
Deadline for applications: June, 30th 2023

In recent years there has been relatively little rain in the Portuguese region of Viseu Dão Lafões, which has gradually increased the concern of its inhabitants in various aspects: many farmers have had difficulty finding water to irrigate their crops, some of the rivers have run out of clean water, affecting the recreational life and imposing cuts in the water supply, due to the historically low level of the dams and deposits that store water for human consumption. Suddenly, an entire country realized that, perhaps, it had taken for granted something that is, after all, increasingly variable and unpredictable.

Fortunately, the autumn of 2022 and the winter of 2023 came with plenty of rain, so much so that an old expression was heard in rural areas: ‘The springs are singing again’. This beautiful expression means that the persistent rain that fell was necessary for the groundwater to recover the volume of water that was common in the old days.

This narration clearly shows the relationship between water and culture. Water is much more than a natural resource in the strict sense. If we think in detail, we realize the immense variety of aspects of human life and culture that are related to water:

– Building techniques for conducting and storing water;
– Water and food production;
– Water, health and well-being;
– Water and social complexity (inequalities, tensions, conflicts);
– Water, rituality and religion;
– Water, economy and trade;
– Water in family and social everyday life;
– Water, navigation, travel and emigration;
– Water, language, toponymy, music and literature.
– Etc.

Binaural Nodar will host, within the scope of its 18th annual program of artist residencies in sound and media arts, artistic projects that reflect and express themes related to the interaction between water and culture in rural context.

Applications for artist residencies to be hosted in 2024 are accepted until June 30th, 2023, and should be sent by email to: info@binauralmedia.org.

Each application should include:

⁃ A project detailing a precise approach related to the subject of the call, a work methodology and a specific type of artistic intervention in the fields of sound art, possibly associated with visual/media arts and performance.
⁃ A brief biography and a detailed curriculum vitae.
⁃ Links to examples of past artwork.

The artist residencies will take place in two alternative periods, in the spring and autumn of 2024, and will last for two weeks. The organization will cover accommodation, food and travel costs in the region, as well will pay an artistic fee of 500 euro (gross amount) to each selected project.

Any questions about this call should be sent by email to luis.costa@binauralmedia.org.