public art experience

artistic projects

residency

The selected artists will be invited to take part in a residency. The Public Art Experience residency has three objectives:

1. Offering an extraordinary space for the implementation of artworks
2. Providing a cultural context in which the artistic project can unfold
3. Generating a strong interaction with the public around the project.

In Belval artists are invited to take part in a public art project within an exceptional urban area. The artists will participate by making individual or collective site-specific work on a given subject. The residency will be located in Belval. While the duration of residencies may vary it will generally be comprised between 6 and 9 months, or possibly longer if the timeframe of a project calls for it.

The Belval residency will encourage strong interaction with the area and its inhabitants or visitors. Residencies are arguably one of the most appropriate tools to address the three main levels – artistic, social and local – of cultural responsibility. The Public Art Experience wants to reach beyond mere contemplation and directly involve audiences in the artists’ working process as well as in the thoughts, motivations and emotions that inspired their work or stimulated the creative act. This active participation will be achieved by opening the artists’ studios to the public through a series of events, encounters and workshops for various audiences. With projects unfolding according to their own momentum, scenario and rhythm, each is likely to require a different programme of events.
One of the first public events in relation to the project is the presentation of the residency projects by the applicants to the post of Director of Residency. Candidates will be asked to present their project in a public hearing, expanding on the theme they have chosen and explaining how they plan to approach it. These hearings will provide an opportunity to compare projects and probe their importance and public relevance. At the end of this process, and following further assessment of all submissions, the Artistic Advisory will formulate their proposal.

The selection of participating artists is an equally important step in the process. In keeping with the idea of public art as a democratic experience, involving the public at large is a crucial aspect. Although their role is by no means the only decisive factor, audiences must be involved if the potential scope of assessments and critical appraisals is to be broadened. The artists shortlisted by the Artistic Advisory Board and the Director of Residency will be asked to present their projects in a public hearing.