INTERACTIONS: Helmholtz ArtScience Program

Application submission deadline (extended!): November 14, 2021

The Helmholtz Association invites a visual artist of any discipline to participate in its residency program INTERACTIONS. The residency provides the opportunity for one artist to engage in dialogue and exchange with scientists at one of its 18 scientific research centers to further their artistic practice. The residency is to be completed in 2022 and culminates in the production of an exhibition at the collaborating Helmholtz Center.

The artist will be selected by a jury of experts across the arts and sciences through an open call for entries. The residency is aimed at emerging artists living and working in Germany. Hermann von Helmholtz‘ descendants support the community-oriented project with up to 10,000 Euros. The prize money will be used by the winning artist to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, materials, production and the artist's fee.

ABOUT

This year we celebrate the 200th birthday of our namesake, Hermann von Helmholtz, one of the most influential scientists of his time. Helmholtz was also a passionate pianist and always sought to bring art and science together in his research. For example, he tried to understand the nature of sound and color and their physiological sensation. His writings on this subject were groundbreaking and are still considered standard works today. In this spirit, the Helmholtz Association would like to sponsor a residency for artists who approach current research questions (see Research Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers), in collaboration with scientists from Helmholtz Centers, from an artistic perspective and implement them in a concrete project. The proposed project should engage with one of the subjects that the polymath Hermann von Helmholtz was studying in the 19th century (find more information here (German) and here (English).

RESIDENCY FRAMEWORK

The fellowship is aimed at emerging artists (also collectives or groups) from the field of the visual, performative and sound arts. The artist must live and work in Germany.

The proposed project should engage with a subject, field of research or phenomenon that Hermann von Helmholtz studied or for which he laid the conceptual foundation. As the last polymath, he researched phenomena of optics, acoustics, geology, meteorology and thermodynamics. He knew how to combine basic research and application, inventing many instruments such as the ophthalmoscope, the Helmholtz resonator, the first electronic synthesizer, and a device for measuring nerve conduction velocity.

The residency will take place at the Helmholtz Center of the artist’s choice. The artist in residency will also have the possibility of a guest stay at the Center (as far as possible and according to the currently valid coronavirus regulations).

The project will culminate in an exhibition at the respective Helmholtz Center.

The residency should be concluded by December 2022 and includes a phase of concept development at the Helmholtz Center. Applications must be submitted by November 14, 2021.

The awardee will be supported by a curator, a representative of the Helmholtz Head Office and a representative of the collaborating Helmholtz Center.

The artist agrees that the project implementation will be supported by communication activities involving regular documentation of the artistic process and will contribute to them actively (e.g. through photos of work in progress). ).The artist may be asked to partcipatet at a special event relating to the exhibition or to be available for interviews for selected press and media. Reporting on the project will take place on www.helmholtz.dewww.helmholtz200.de and on selected social media channels of the Helmholtz Association.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The submitted project proposals will be reviewed and selected by an internationally renowned jury of experts across the arts and sciences. The jury consists of the following members:

  • Anselm Franke, Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) Berlin

  • Susanne Pfeffer, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt/Main

  • Leonie Radine, Museum Ludwig Köln

  • Peter Galison, Harvard, historian of science and Helmholtz expert  

  • Andreas Kosmider, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Scientist, Helmholtz Association

  • Sara Arnsteiner, Head of Communication and project lead interactions, Helmholtz Association

  • Sibylle Anderl, Journalist at FAZ, astrophysicist, philosopher

APPLICATION

Please use this form for application:  Download application form [pdf]

Application form signed by the applicant, containing:

  • CV

  • Project Proposal

  • Budget planning + project schedule

  • Personal data

  • Portfolio

  • The application file (PDF) must be named as follows: Last name_ First name_Helmholtz_2021.pdf

Only applications that have been submitted on time and that clearly meet all the criteria of the call for nominations will be considered.

The specific coordination with the chosen Helmholtz Center will take place after the selection of the scholarship winner. You don't have to contact your chosen Helmholtz Center prior to you application.

Applications have to be uploaded via the following upload platform as one single PDF file (max. 200 MB):

Upload application

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Within the framework of the arts residency, the artwork should be exhibited at the respective research center. The work or exhibit remains the property of the artist.  In the case of a sale, proceeds go to the artist in full. Depending on the final artwork, issues of and costs for art handling/security will be negotiated (transport, insurance, etc.).

The artist agrees that the project implementation will be supported by communication activities involving regular documentation of the artistic process and will contribute to them actively (e.g. through photos of work in progress). ).The artist may be asked to partcipatet at a special event relating to the exhibition or to be available for interviews for selected press and media. Reporting on the project will take place on www.helmholtz.dewww.helmholtz200.de and on selected social media channels of the Helmholtz Association.

CONTACT

The Communication & External Affairs Department of the Helmholtz Head Office is in charge of the coordination (call for nominations, jury meeting, artist support as well as cooperation projects) andthe communication (reporting, film) of the project.

Project team interactions:

Sara Arnsteiner
Head of Communication and project lead interactions

Franziska Roeder
Project lead Helmholtz200 and project coordinator interactions

Marina Farny
Research marketing and event management interactions 

Email:
artscience@helmholtz.de

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