signe's blog
OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS AND EVENTS: 2019
Submitted by signe on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 22:46
The Residency and workshop centre SERDE is looking for artists and creators who are professionals in their field and can relate to inter/trans- disciplinary processes; who are able to work independently and produce their work in our offered facilities and unusual circumstances, but are also open for cooperation with local audience and hosts.
There are 4 calls open now with deadline for applications 28th of January, 2019.
Duration 2-4 weeks for the period between 1st of May and 1st of October, 2019.
Thematic residencies: priorities will be given to the applicants who are interested to explore the local environment and ecology or propose ideas for sustainable development in rural area.
Fees and support
SERDE provides selected artists with:
- letter of invitation,
- free access to the shared studio space - ceramics, wood, metal, mix materials and analogue photo laboratory,
- organising open studios or artists presentations for local audience,
- collaboration with local institutions and persons in case your proposal is connected with research of Latvian culture and traditions, or your artwork has to be exhibited in public space. For the social projects artists can collaborate with youth centre and/or retirement house.
Artists must secure their own funding for
– accommodation (for 1 week 70€ and 300€ for 1 month),
– travel to and from residency, and insurance,
– production costs and personal spending.
We will provide selected candidates with letter of support for individual grant seeking.
Expectations towards the artist
At the end of residency artist has to send few photos and short text about his/her work for the annual publication - SERDE’s year book.
We expect artists will share their residency results with the local audience at the end of their residency. In addition there is possibility to present your work at annual SERDE event “AppleThink” on 14th of September. Here are videos from previous years: https://vimeo.com/smgserde
To apply for residencies you have to send the application form and CV to smg.serde@gmail.com
We are looking for 2 young artists - volunteers from Europe in the framework of strategic EVS project “Corner of Europe” for two months period between 1st of July to 16th September 2019.
We are looking for volunteer who:
• has experience and interest in arts, crafts, culture and restoration fields;
• are able to work individually and in team;
• might be willing to organize workshops and events for locals;
• has good communication skills and is eager to gain new experience;
• has intermediate English level
• is 21-30 years old;
• we expect the volunteer to take part in daily organizational work
• is willing to spend couple of mounts in rural area in historical town and building.
For selected participants the transport and living expenses, as well small production grant are covered by EVS.
To apply you have to send the application form and CV to smg.serde@gmail.com
From 22th to 28th of July, 2019
Workshop has been created to allow professionals and amateurs to meet outside their usual working environment. Each participant will contribute with their own set of skills and knowledge in order to have best possible outcome. Newcomers to the field will be introduced to wood restoration by master restorers and carpenters. Practical work will be done on-site in 18th century wooden architecture complex which has been in a slow, thoughtful restoration process for the last decade. Participants will be introduced to the previous restoration works and experience gained from that.
Cost of participation:
The cost of participation is 300 EUR. We will organize meals and accommodation in shared rooms.
After participation confirmation you will receive invoice which will have to be paid in 5 working days partly (50€ as registration) or fully.
Participants are responsible for their round-trip costs to Aizpute, Latvia.
To apply fill the application form.
We will provide selected candidates with letter of support for individual grant seeking.
Photos and video from previous years:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SERDE/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155579187960592
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SERDE/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155588629575592
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SERDE/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154743874000592
https://vimeo.com/180949980
5th – 11th August, 2019
The 15th International Cast Iron Art Symposium is part of the art event series which is focused on experimental non industrial technologies. Artists are invited to use diverse raw materials and supplies for recycling and creating art works – old out-of-date cast iron radiators will be used during the cast iron art symposium. During the symposium we expect the artists to take part in the whole casting process and be able to work independently in the creation of molds. Melting replica hublot and casting iron will be open to the general public and all interested audiences during the symposium days at SERDE and at night by the Tebra riverside.
Cost of participation:
The cost of participation is 300 EUR. We will organize meals and accommodation in shared rooms.
After participation confirmation you will receive invoice which will have to be paid in 5 working days partly (50€ as registration) or fully.
Participants are responsible for their round-trip costs to Aizpute, Latvia.
To apply:
Fill the application form and send 3 – 5 images or links to websites of recent work that demonstrates an ability to work in cast iron smg.serde@gmail.com
We will provide selected candidates with letter of support for individual grant seeking.
More about facilities and residency centre:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-casting-art-symposiums-Latvia/494503830561360
www.facebook.com/SERDE
www.serde.lv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDsxQlGoLY
Accommodation
SERDE offer accommodation and working facilities in one of oldest historical buildings of town. For residents we offer to stay in a comfortable ecological house, where the house is preserved using environmentally-friendly materials and historical building technologies. The residency rooms and workshops are located in 2 separate buildings.
Resident stays in their own bedroom, and shares the studios, kitchen, and bathroom. Bedrooms are supplied with beds, mattresses, bed linen, blankets, and towels.
As we are artist run organisation and work in the centre ourselves we expect residents to help keep the order and cleaning, respect the house rules and other residents.
More about facilities and residency centre:
http://www.serde.lv/?q=node%2F19
https://www.facebook.com/SERDE
For any questions contact us smg.serde@gmail.com
14th INTERNATIONAL CAST IRON ART SYMPOSIUM
Submitted by signe on Fri, 05/25/2018 - 12:47
14th International Cast Iron Art Symposium
SERDE Residency Centre in Aizpute, Latvia
6th – 12we August, 2018
The 14th International Cast Iron Art Symposium is part of the art event series which is focused on experimental non industrial technologies. Artists are invited to use diverse raw materials and supplies for recycling and creating art works – old out-of-date cast iron radiators will be used during the cast iron art symposium. In the hands of professional artists they will be transformed into amazing masterpieces of art.
The Symposium will be held from 6th – 12we August, 2018 at the Residency and workshop centre SERDE in Aizpute, Latvia. During the symposium we expect the artists to take part in the whole casting process and be able to work independently in the creation of molds. Melting and casting iron will be open to the general public and all interested audiences during the symposium days at SERDE and at night by the Tebra riverside.
Cost of participation:
The cost of participation is 300 EUR (200 EUR if you apply till 15th of June). We will organize meals and accommodation in shared rooms (200 EUR). Total amount if you apply until 15th of June is 400 EUR (after 15th of June 500 EUR)
After submitting application and sending images you will receive invoice which will have to be paid in 5 working days partly (50€ as registration) or fully.
Participants are responsible for their round-trip costs to Aizpute, Latvia.
To apply:
Fill the application form and send 3 – 5 images or links to websites: Recent work that demonstrates an ability to work in cast iron smg.serde@gmail.com
All materials are accepted via email to: smg.serde@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted until there are no more available positions.
If you have more questions about the symposium, please contact: smg.serde@gmail.com If you have technical questions please contact Karlis Alainis karlis.alainis@lma.lv
We provide selected candidates with letter of support for individual grant seeking.
More about facilities and residency centre:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iron-casting-art-symposiums-Latvia/494503830561360
www.facebook.com/SERDE
www.serde.lv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDsxQlGoLY
4. International Workshop on Wood Restoration
Submitted by signe on Mon, 05/07/2018 - 14:42
When: July 16th-22nd, 2018
Where: Aizpute, Atmodas iela 9, Workshop and Residencies centre SERDE
Application for international applicants extended till 15th of June, 2018
For the fourth time Workshop and Residencies centre SERDE is holding an International Restoration workshop in Aizpute.
Six-day workshop has been created to allow professionals (young, mid-career and master craftsmen) to meet outside their usual working environment and solve problems both in theory and practice. Each participant will contribute with their own set of skills and knowledge in order to have best possible outcome. Newcomers to the field will be introduced to wood restoration by master restorers and carpenters. Restoration works will be carried out on the basis of internationally set guidelines and ethical principles.
Practical work will be done on-site in 18th century wooden architecture complex which has been in a slow, thoughtful restoration process for the last decade. Participants will be introduced to the previous restoration works and experience gained from that.
Main subjects:
1. 18th century building construction restoration
2. Historical 19th century casement window and door restoration
3. Use and making of traditional plasters, paints and oils
Fee: Participation fee is 200 EUR (150 EUR till 15th of May), we will organise meals and accommodation in shared rooms (150 EUR). Participants are responsible for their round-trip costs to Aizpute, Latvia.
Application: In order to apply fill the application form. After submitting application you will have to pay 50€ as registration or full workshop price in 5 working days. The registration fee will not be refundable. Without fully complete application form and registration fee Your participation will not be taken into account.
For further information, please call +371 26330153 or send an
e-mail to smg.serde@gmail.com, janis.tolpeznikovs@gmail.com
Photos and video from previous years:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SERDE/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154743874000592
https://vimeo.com/180949980
Workshop has been included in European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.
Organizes:
Supports:
EVS VOLUNTEERS AT SERDE
Submitted by signe on Thu, 04/12/2018 - 12:39
Artist and residency centre SERDE is looking for volunteers (preferably) from Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic and Spain
For strategic EVS project “Corner of Europe” in Aizpute, Latvia, for two months period between May to mid-September 2018.
We are looking for volunteer who:
- has experience and interest in arts, crafts, culture and restoration fields;
- are able to work individually and in team;
- might be willing to organize workshops and events for locals;
- has good communication skills and is eager to gain new experience;
- has intermediate English level
- is 21-30 years old;
- we expect the volunteer to take part in daily organizational work
- is willing to spend couple of mounts in rural area in historical town and building.
During the active season in SERDE we will organize artist in residencies program where we help artist to deal with practical and technical issues, introduce them with local environment etc., we organize restoration workshop, cast iron symposium, season closing event "Applethink" where artists in residency and locals come together on harvest festival and other events initiated by artists. SERDE has ceramic studio, black and white photo laboratory, wood, metal and mix material workshop space were artist can work and different workshops are taking place. In small hall we can organize lectures, presentations and small concerts.
Depending from volunteer knowledge and competencies the tasks will be negotiated and discussed after volunteers arrival at SERDE and according to the volunteers skills, ability and interests they can choose one or more of the mentioned programs and can join professionals in any of studios or workshops. The volunteers work will consist of several steps or possibilities - assistance at hosting of artists, help to set up the space for public events; help to document the artists works at SERDE and publish in social media and website; volunteers can learn from the professionals different skills according to their interests and to develop their own independent projects in the future. We will support volunteers if they will be interested to realize their own project, event or workshop for locals or wider audience at SERDE. As we are only three people running the centre we expect volunteers will help with daily works on running the centre such as cleaning, organizing the residencies and workshops spaces for work and gardening.
Volunteers will be provided with accommodation in SERDE's facilities with separate room access to Wifi and bicycle. Volunteers will have to share bathroom, showers, common space and kitchen with other residents. Youngsters with fewer opportunities especially welcomed.
To apply send your CV and motivation letter to smg.serde@gmail.com till 30st of April, 2018
Application deadline 30.04
#ErasmusPlusLV #CornersofEurope #JSPA
PIXELSTICK WORKSHOP at SERDE Arts Centre, 2-5 May
Submitted by signe on Wed, 03/28/2018 - 13:39
From 2 to 5 May SERDE Arts Centre (Aizpute, Latvia), in collaboration with MPLab (Liepaja, Latvia) and nadine (Brussels, Belgium), organizes a four-day workshop to discover the device 'Pixelstick' http://www.thepixelstick.com.
Pixelstick is a versatile tool that was developed two years ago as a Kickstarter project.
Using the 200LEDs-stick and a slow shutter speed camera, one can add existing photos that are uploaded onto the stick, to any existing -low light- environment.
The four-day workshop is led by the artists Bartaku and Various Artists.
The participants explore a new direction in the medium of photography using this recently developed work tool. During the workshop we explore the artistic possibilities of this tool.
Participants will first learn how to prepare the stick for use - including preparing and uploading photos) - and get familiar with how to handle the device: generating the images with body and stick; settings for mobile phone and/or (pinhole) camera. After this introduction, experimenting starts with participants using their own individual images in spaces that they find suitable.
On Sunday 6 May the digital and printed photographic results of the workshop will be showcased at SERDE.
The setting:
Technical preparations: SERDE Arts Center
Experiments: Aizpute town // surroundings
Requirements:
Pre-existing knowledge: basics of photography
Preparation:
Recommended to check the Pixelstick documentation.
Bring a selection of photos and camera.
Participation fee:
100€ (covers accommodation in shared rooms - 40€, and food - 60€)
Please note that this fee does not include the transport to Aizpute, this needs to be organized by the participants.
The workshop is limited to 15 people.
Please send us your motivation and bio to smg.serde@gmail.com by 10 April 2018.
>> Documentation of first explorations during workshop at nadine in Brussels in August 2017
(with Bartaku, Various Artists, and Shelbatra Jashari)
http://nadine.be/event/morpho/workshop-pixelstick-various-artists
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWa3AsJjWLV/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWj301sHhS_/?taken-by=paulosudo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWj3qjrnTzD/?taken-by=paulosudo
OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS: 2018
Submitted by signe on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 16:28
The Residency and workshop centre SERDE is looking for artists and creators who are professionals in their field and can relate to inter/trans- disciplinary processes; who are able to work independently and produce their work in our offered facilities and unusual circumstances, but are also open for cooperation with local audience and hosts.
Residencies duration 2-4 weeks for the period between 1st of May and 1st of October, 2018.
Thematic residencies: priorities will be given to the applicants who are interested to explore the local environment and ecology or propose ideas for sustainable development in rural area.
Accommodation
SERDE offer accommodation and working facilities in one of oldest historical buildings of town. For residents we offer to stay in a comfortable ecological house, where the house is preserved using environmentally-friendly materials and historical building technologies. The residency rooms and workshops are located in 2 separate buildings.
Resident stays in their own bedroom, and shares the studios, kitchen, and bathroom. Bedrooms are supplied with beds, mattresses, bed linen, blankets, and towels.
Fees and support
SERDE provides selected artists with:
- letter of invitation,
- free access to the shared studio space - ceramics, wood, metal, mix materials and analogue photo laboratory,
- organising open studios or artists presentations for local audience,
- collaboration with local institutions and persons in case your proposal is connected with research of Latvian culture and traditions, or your artwork has to be exhibited in public space. For the social projects artists can collaborate with youth centre and/or retirement house.
Artists must secure their own funding for
– accommodation (for 1 week 70€ and 300€ for 1 month),
– travel to and from residency, and insurance,
– production costs and personal spending.
Currently there is no grants available for artist but couple of residents will be provided with free of charge accommodation.
Expectations towards the artist
At the end of residency artist has to send few photos and short text about his/her work for the annual publication - SERDE’s year book.
F.e. https://issuu.com/smg.serde/docs/year_book_2017
We expect artists will share their residency results with the local audience at the end of their residency. In addition there is possibility to present your work at annual SERDE event “AppleThink” on 15th of September. Here are videos from previous years: https://vimeo.com/smgserde
As we are artist run organisation and work in the centre ourselves we expect residents to help keep the order and cleaning, replica hublot respect the house rules and other residents.
Deadline for applications 31st of January, 2018.
To apply for residencies you have to send the application form and CV to smg.serde@gmail.com
More about facilities and residency centre:
http://www.serde.lv/?q=node%2F19
https://www.facebook.com/SERDE
For any questions contact us smg.serde@gmail.com
Living with Cultural Heritage
Submitted by signe on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 12:49
On 2014 Interdisciplinary Art Group SERDE has started the collaboration with one of the best wooden building conservation examples of Northen Europe - Rauma (Finland), Visby (Sweeden) and Kuldīga (Latvia). On 2015 within the programme "Central Baltic" was applied and accepted collaboration on project "Living with Cultural Heritage" (lead partner "Old Rauma").
In the framework of the project SERDE organizes two workshops:
1) International workshop on wooden restoration - July 23-29; gathers professionals and amateures to work together on building complex at Atmodas 9, Aizpute;
2) Storytelling workshop - July 23-27; gathers intangible cultural heritage researchers and profesionals to discover history of old buildings from local people stories about different events, local people and daily lives in historical centre.
PROGRAM JULY 23RD – 29TH
Sunday July 23
13:00 – 18:00 Arrival of participants.
18:30 Participant introductions. Introduction of SERDE
Monday July 24
10:00 Introduction about project "LiviHeri"
10:30 Laura Puolamäki (FI “Old Rauma”) “Participative GIS - geographic information system - method in field work”
11:30 Eeva Raike (FI) “Expeditions experience and methodology in Turku university”
12:30 Rūta Muktupāvela (Rector of Latvian Academy of Culture) "Applying method of cultural landscape reading: theory and practice, possibilities and risks"
14:00 SERDEs fieldworks on intangible culture heritage and presentations of results - Ieva Vītola, Signe Pucena
14:30 Jānis Tolpežņikovs “Wooden building restoration, restoration experience in SERDE
15:00
Work safety instructions; Preparing workplaces, tools and materials (Restoration worshop)
Time for stories – owners of historical buildings tells the stories (Storytelling workshop)
Tuesday July 25
9:00 – 16:30 Practical work at Restoration/ Storytelling workshops
17:00 Insight in historical buildings of Aizpute with Historical building expert Juris Zviedrāns.
Time for stories – owners of historical buildings tells the stories
Wednesday July 26
9:00 – 16:30 Practical work at Restoration/ Storytelling workshops
9:30 – 13:00 Wooden joints (Guntars Upenieks)
17:00 Insight in historical buildings of Aizpute with Historical building expert Juris Zviedrāns.
Time for stories – owners of historical buildings tells the stories
Thursday July 27
9:00 – 18:00 Practical work at Restoration workshop
10:00 – 12:00 Summary of Storytelling workshop
Friday July 28
9:00 – 18:00 Practical work at Restoration workshop
Saturday July 29
9:00 – 13:00 Summary and departure
Organizes / Organizē:
Supported by / Atbalsta:
PINHOLE WORKSHOPS
Submitted by signe on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 11:13
SERDE is holding a pinhole photography workshop led by Marcis Bendiks, one of Latvia’s most experienced photographers and a black and white master.
APPLY FOR AUGUST 4-6 WORKSHOP!
The two-day workshop will take students through some of the theory relating to photography in general and to pinhole cameras specifically, as well as covering the practical side of building a pinhole camera. Participants will then design and build their own cameras and develop the prints they take.
Pinhole photography is a challenging and interesting area of photography. It forces even experienced photographers to think again about what photography is and what it means to them. The methods of pinhole photography are unusual and the equipment strange, but even for first-time pinhole photographers it can provide unexpected and beautiful results. Pinhole cameras are home made and so the process of photography involves not only taking photographs, but also the process of building the camera.
Participation fee in the workshop is 70 EUR and includes all materials and accommodation 2 nights. (SERDE can provide a letter confirming your attendance to help with travel or other funding applications.) The accommodation will be in shared rooms at SERDE, two people per room. As this is an international call, the language of the workshop will be English.
This is an intermediate level analogue workshop involving some darkroom activity. Participants must have a background in photography, analogue or digital, so that basic and intermediate terms are understood. Participants will be developing their own prints under supervision of the workshop leader so some darkroom experience is desirable.
To apply by writing to marcis@bendiks.lv
For any question contact us smg.serde@gmail.com or marcis@bendiks.lv
More about SERDE:
https://www.facebook.com/SERDE/
https://issuu.com/smg.serde
3rd International Workshop on Wood Restoration in Aizpute, Latvia 2017
Submitted by signe on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 14:21
When: July 23rd-29th, 2017
Where: Aizpute, Atmodas iela 9, SERDE Workshop and Residencies centre
Apply until: 30th of April, 2017
For the third time Workshop and Residencies centre SERDE is holding an International Restoration workshop in Aizpute, Latvia.
Six-day workshop has been created to allow professionals (young, mid-career and master craftsmen) to meet outside their usual working environment and solve problems both in theory and practice. Each participant will contribute with their own set of skills and knowledge in order to have best possible outcome. Restoration works will be carried out on the basis of internationally set guidelines and ethical principles.
Practical work will be done on-site in a 18th century wooden architecture complex which has been in a slow, thoughtful restoration process for the last decade. Participants will be introduced to the previous restoration works and experience gained from that.
Main subjects:
1. Half-timbered framing (Fachwerkhaus) restoration
2. Historical 19th century casement window and door restoration
3. Making of natural/traditional paints
In spare time(evenings) it’s possible to join for storytelling activities connected with cultural heritage sites in Aizpute and historical photo technique workshop.
Fee: Participation is free of charge for the selected participants. Participants will be responsible for their round-trip costs to Aizpute, Latvia.
Application: In order to apply it’s mandatory to fill the provided application form. Without fully complete and sent application form Your participation will not be taken into account. Please submit application until 30th of April.
For further information, please call +371 26330153 or send an e-mail to smg.serde@gmail.com, janis.tolpeznikovs@gmail.com
HERE YOU CAN SEE HOW FUN WAS LAST YEAR!
Organizes:
Supported by: