CritLab., Accra, Ghana
Deadline: 15 August 2020
CritLab Aims To Build A Network Of Professionals Who Desire To Push The Boundaries Of Art Thought, Production And Exhibition In The International Field Of Contemporary Art.
CritLab is designed to compel participants to be conscious of the universality of art as well as the responsibilities and challenges that come with contemporary art practice. The initiative aims to establish a network of professionals from Ghana, Africa and other regions of the world concerned with growing and sustaining criticality in art practice. CritLab is targeted towards independent and self-driven practice— whether participants work independently or in institutions. Topics will range from the pragmatics of professional development; creating infrastructure in conditions of hopelessness; constructive approaches to building relationships with other professionals and institutions, locally and internationally; understanding the theoretical underpinnings of art history as inherited from imperialist structures and the necessity of emancipating professional practice; and incorporating more ways of creative thinking beyond human-centered approaches to making and thinking about art.
CritLab brings together professionals from art institutions and universities in Ghana and elsewhere around the world who will facilitate practical and intellectual exchanges. Individual and group advisement sessions, lectures, studio visits, and roundtable discussions will be led by a group of professionals that includes Bernard Akoi-Jackson, Ph.D (artist and academic, Ghana), Adwoa Amoah (artist and Co-Director of FCA – Ghana), Ato Annan (artist and Co-Director of FCA – Ghana), Kelvin Haizel (artist, Ghana), Nontobeko Ntombela (curator, writer, and academic, South Africa), Kwasi Ohene-Ayeh (artist, curator, and critic, Ghana), among others.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Readings: Literature covering art, curating, art writing and more will be made available to all participants before the programme officially starts, with the objective to strengthen understanding on the polemics and topical issues in contemporary art.
Seminars and Site Visits: All participants will meet every morning as a group to have up to three-hour workshop seminars and presentations led by the key and guest facilitators. The seminars will be supplemented by site visits ranging from artists’ studios, to commercial and private art spaces in order to plug participants into the local professional context through direct engagement.
Individual Meetings: During the 12 days, each participant will be scheduled to take part in two individual meetings with select key and/or guest facilitators. These 20-minute sessions will provide the opportunity for one-on-one advising on topics that are tailored specifically to the participant’s project proposal.
Presentations: Peer-to-peer learning between facilitators and participants will be stimulated by individual presentations made by each participant about the project/idea articulated in the applications. Participants will be required to give longer presentations at the end of the programme that outlines the status of the project they have been developing during the course of the CritLab. The final presentations will be held in a public forum, where discussions will be between colleagues and members of the general public.
Post-CritLab: After the period designated for the CritLab, participants will have the opportunity to become part of the alumni network, and will continue working with key and guest facilitators to develop their respective proposals. Finalised project may be published on the CritLab website.
Requirements:
No fee is charged for participation.
Apply here.
