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’The Black Hole’’ project is calling for artists of any speciality to participate in a 3-week residency in Latvia. The aim of residency is to foster creative freedom, explore local context and encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary experiments between participants.
In 3 weeks, we’ll host 6 artists or more, including an award-winner of Arte Laguna Prize 2025. Artists will get to know each other and the environment of residency. There will be workshops with experienced professionals from various fields (will be updated) offering participants methods and inspiration on how to approach their work and explore beyond the usual. Once a week there will be a presentation within a small group of people on what the artists have come up with so far and in conclusion of the residency – a bigger opening event to showcase their works to public.
Time period of this residency – August 4-24, 2025. Residents will have a possibility also to stay on the coast line of the Baltic Sea in Liepāja and Pāvilosta.
The participation fee is 300 EUR + 300 EUR for accommodation if needed. Artists are responsible for their travel expenses. There will be a dedicated workspace and a common kitchen for family-style cooking of meals. It is a tradition in Black Hole residencies to share each culture through food and to get to know each other as a person.
To apply for this residency or clear up any questions, please contact info@blackholes.lv.
Applications must include CV and portfolio along with a short description of why you would like to participate.
Application deadline: 2024, December 20
The residency will take place 30 min bicykle ride distance from the city center. There is also a public transport, 90 min ride = 1,5 EUR. The price for the cab ride from and to the city center is around 5-10 EUR depending on rush hours.
Currently the Black Holes residency is located in the cultural hub Viskaļi run by Free Riga in the former Riga Technical university faculty of mechanics, transportation and aeronautics. Free Riga moved there in 2019 for 25 years. There are more then 200 rooms with 15 000 m2 inside space in total. Now 90% are rented out to artists, designers, NGOs, companies of creative industries, social sector, etc.
Totaldobže Art Centre has been active in Viskaļi from 2020 till 2023. It was organizing public events: concerts, exhibitions, performances, conferences, talks, poetry slams etc.
There is an auditorium with a stage for up to 500 seated or 1000 standing visitors.
After soviet military aviation institute moved out in 1991 the auditorium was not been used till 2019.
The Black Hole residency organizer the Totaldobže Art Centre was organizing experimental improvisation concertsfor musicians from different genres, contemporary dance performances, exhibitions, poetry slams, electronic music dance parties and tango lessons.
The auditorium has hosted also events organized by other teams.
During summer the yard became a great location for leasure and outside activities.
There was built a terrace outside for events under the sky.