OPEN CALL for MODINA Dance & Technology Residencies (2023-24)

one dancer on the floor crossing the arms above the head and computer generated shapes are shown in the background

OPEN CALL for duos of European-based dance artists and creative technologists; Deadline to apply: 24/May

ABOUT MODINA 

The project MODINA (Movement, Digital Intelligence and Interactive Audience) aims to expand the creative possibilities for contemporary dance performances, and augment the experience for the audience, using digital technology – with an emphasis on exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and audience interaction, on-site and online. MODINA is a 3-year Creative Europe cooperation project, co-financed by the European Union.

Within the intersection between contemporary dance and technology, increasing attention is being given to AI (computers as creative partners) and to audience interaction (a shift from passive spectators to active participants). This creates interesting challenges for dance artists and creative technologists: how to integrate computational systems and audience members in a performance as co-creators, in a way that enhances the artistic work?

ABOUT MODINA RESIDENCIES

In the scope of MODINA, we are opening a Call for Artist Residencies for multidisciplinary duos, encompassing competences in dance and in technology (particularly related to computational creativity and audience interaction), for example: a dancer/choreographer and a creative technologist. In the first stage of MODINA, we are organizing 5 residencies of 8 weeks, across 5 performance centers: CNDB (Romania), Kino Siska (Slovenia), STL (Estonia), tanzhaus nrw (Germany), and Trafo (Hungary). These residencies will receive the mentorship from academic partners, from 3 universities: Hochschule Düsseldorf, Tallinn University and University of Lisbon. 

The five 8-week residencies will take place between November 2023 and April 2024 (see application form for specific dates).

WHY APPLY?

  • Receive support (resources, mentorship) to develop innovative dance work involving computational creativity and audience interaction
  • Gain further skills and knowledge in integrating technology in dance
  • Network with like-minded artists
  • Share your work with audiences in Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia, through the MODINA network
  • Get exposure to your work through MODINA promotion channels

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Travel/Accommodation
  • A budget composed of (gross amounts):
    • Artist fee of €5.000 for the 8 weeks per each of the 2 artists
    • Production budget of up to €3.000, which can also be used for hire(s), e.g. an additional dancer or an additional programmer, musician, video artist etc, for example during the 4 weeks in the studio.
    • Additional production needs might also be covered, in agreement with the host institution
  • Access to equipment of the host institution
  • Assistance of (at least) one stage technician, available throughout the full 4 weeks of studio time
  • Mentoring from a MODINA academic partner throughout the residency (including a 3-day co-located workshop)
  • Promotion
  • Documentation (photos, videos, etc)
  • Invitation to pre/post events:
    • Invitation to kick-off event in Tallinn, 20-21 September 2023, with all 10 selected artists for the 5 residencies and representatives of all MODINA partner institutions (travel, accommodation, and daily fee paid).
    • Invitation to final event for MODINA in Düsseldorf, in early 2026 (travel, accommodation, and daily fee paid).
    • Showcasing the outcome of the residency in approximately 3 more countries within the MODINA network, in the second half of 2024.
      This is as a follow-up, outside of the scope of the residency; an additional budget will be proposed for it.

STRUCTURE OF THE RESIDENCY

  • Weeks 1-3 of the residency will be dedicated to artistic and technical research. They will mostly take place in the facilities of the host institution (but not necessarily in a studio setting). Week 1 of the residency can be remote (to be agreed). In week 2, the academic partner of the residency will run a workshop with the residents, with the objective of assisting in the design and development of technical solutions.
  • In weeks 4-7, the residents will have access to a studio space, and will develop a short showing (15-30 minutes) around the choreographic concept proposed. In the end of week 7, the residents will present their public showing, and also present their process in a public talk (after / before the showing, to be defined)
  • In week 8, the residents will conduct wrap-up activities in the host institution, such as: organize documentation, including archival versions of the showing if possible; package technical outcomes of the project for dissemination; and adapt and prepare for future showing. If demonstrated that these activities can be done remotely, Week 8 of the residency can be remote (to be agreed).

OUTCOMES OF THE RESIDENCY

  • Public final showing of residency results, with artist talk
  • Documentation, including archival versions of the showing (if relevant)
  • Open-sourcing of technology (if relevant)

MODINA promotes an environmentally friendly approach, including travel, so whenever reasonable applicants should use less carbon emitting transportation options. MODINA strives to ensure gender balance, inclusion and diversity during all activity stages.

APPLYING

REQUESTED MATERIALS

  • A 4-page description of the project, addressing MODINA topics, including mentoring needs and technical / space requirements. If the project builds upon a previous one, the intended development and iteration should be made clear.
  • CVs of both applicants
  • Link to website or online portfolio (with videos) of each applicant

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Applicants must be resident in Europe.
  • As a duo, applicants need to demonstrate capabilities
    • in terms of developing and integrating technology in dance practice, 
    • particularly computational creativity and/or audience interaction.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Quality of the concept,
    • integrating computational systems and audience members in a performance as co-creators, in a way that enhances the work. 
    • In other words, exploring computational creativity and audience interaction; delegating creativity and decisions to computational systems and audience.
    • Optionally, also exploring online / hybrid aspects of a performance.
  • Practical and technical feasibility.
  • Portfolio in contemporary dance (at least from one of the two candidates).
  • Portfolio in computational creativity and media arts (at least from one of the two candidates).

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Apply until: 24/May (23:59 CEST/Brussels time)
  • Decision by: 16/June
    • including which of the residencies the selected candidates will be matched to (based on availability and overall fit)
  • Kick-off event in Tallinn: 20-21/September
  • Residencies: Between November 2023 and April 2024
    • tanzhaus nrw, Düsseldorf: 13/11/2023 – 12/1/2024 (1-week break, 23/12-2/1)
    • Kino Siska, Ljubljana: 4/12/2023 – 2/2/2024 (1-week break, 23/12-2/1)
    • STL, Tallinn: 8/1/2024 – 3/3/2024
    • CNDB, Bucharest: 15/1/2024 – 10/3/2024
    • Trafo, Budapest: 11/3/2024 – 5/5/2024
  • Further showcases (to be agreed later): second half of 2024

INFO SESSION, 10/MAY, 11AM CEST/Brussels time (ZOOM)

  • Register to info session by 7/May
    • Link to register to info session: https://forms.gle/SoBantxtd2tZ32do7
    • Zoom link will be shared to registered participants on 8/May

APPLY HERE UNTIL 24/MAY
(23:59 CEST/Brussels time)

  • Link to application form: https://forms.gle/QNWipFeac6vUwVVD6

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • For additional information, write to:
    modina [dot] europe [at] gmail [dot] com

Nuno Correia