Cercano vocal artists per un progetto europeo. 8 mila euro di cachet per gli artist_ selezionat_. Scade il 4 giugno 2023
First Europe Project’s aim is to bring prehistoric society closer to contemporary audiences by placing the unique European archaeological heritage of Lepenski Vir, Serbia in a new context. We will explore three themes with new interpretations, focusing on social relations, issues and processes that are still evolving today.
We are looking for two vocal artists or singers who are experienced with improvisation, and who are engaged in the topics of nature, tradition, history of humanity and cultural heritage.
In our project, these themes will connect past and present, and the creation will focus on the re-imagination of human impact on environment; rituals, as they are a feature of all known human societies; and art, which is a more universal expression of mankind – and Lepenski Vir is characterised by unique stone sculptures and architecture.
These topics will serve as the basis for our so-called “Opera Hackathons”: a new creation framework methodology for our live performances. The core narrative will be developed during our Residency program, held between July 11 and 22, 2023, in Lepenski Vir, Serbia.
After the Residency, the two selected artists will participate in the testing of the performances in Lepenski Vir, as well as in the three live performances in Serbia, Italy, and Hungary in the autumn of 2024.
First Europe’s grounding
First Europe aims to promote and celebrate European archaeological heritage with a special focus on the fascinating archaeological site of Lepenski Vir in Serbia, which formed one of the oldest settlements in Europe, hence the name of our project: First Europe.
We see that there are two main reasons why certain archaeological objects and sites are not part of the common European perceptions and cultural tourism. One tangible reason for this is that these sites are often situated in rural areas cut from the settlement networks and therefore difficult to access, and the other is that the further we go back in time, the fewer data we have, and therefore fewer points of contact with contemporary society.
Yet the communities of these bygone civilisations were not so different from the people of today. On the other hand, the scarcity of scientific data also leaves room for the imagination, so art can play a significant role as a mediating force in finding connections between past and present societies. We not only want to make this knowledge relevant but also want to provide a new way of co-creation. An effort in support of contemporary creation will lead to the reinforcement of the re-imagination of history, from the perspective of its links to contemporary society and its existing cultural practices.
Project partners: Y Csoport (HU), Museum of Lepenski Vir (RS), Pro Progressione (HU), ECCOM (IT)
Artistic Leadership: Máté Czakó (HU), Ljubomir Nikolic (RS), Pier Lorenzo Pisano (IT)
Eligibility and supported projects
Who is eligible?
- Applicants (18+) that are legal residents in the countries within the Creative Europe framework;
- Artist individuals who have experience as vocal artists/singers;
- Must be able to easily communicate in English.
- Experience engaging with local communities through participatory and/or co-creative methods is desirable, but not mandatory;
- Knowledge of musical notation is desirable but not mandatory;
- Using electronic devices such as loopers, effect processors, and electronic DIY devices with voice is advantageous, but not mandatory;
What we offer: Participant opportunities and support
What we will provide:
- Exposure through First Europe’s dissemination and engagement activities, such as announcements, networking and events, social media, video and photo documentation, and general promotion of First Europe’s work through its large partner network.
- A cross-border and cross-disciplinary opportunity for exchange and artistic enrichment with fellow artists across Europe, including a residency and testing with partners and collaborators, and workshops in Audience Development.
- Artist development support and in-depth knowledge of First Europe’s core topics, provided by experts and facilitation by our Artistic Leadership.
- Honorarium for the selected artists: 8000 EUR*
*A stipend for attending all the events along the Project, up to a maximum total of 8.000€ for the each of the two artists, to be paid in the following form: 3.000 € after the residency in Lepenski Vir, 2000 € after the testing in Lepenski Vir, and 500 € at each Opera Hackathons in Belgrade, Budapest, and Rome.
What we expect
What we ask from participants:
- Participation: We expect that selected artists will participate in First Europe’s events, including the residency, audience development activities, and testing events in Lepenski Vir, and in the live Opera Hackathon performances in Belgrade, Rome, and Budapest.
- Attendance: The selected artists are expected to attend and engage in online meetings, interviews, webinars, consultancy sessions, and progress reviews and contribute to the project’s reporting.
- Engagement: Artists must be committed to First Europe’s objectives. As success depends on the activation and engagement of European audiences, artists are encouraged to support First Europe’s general communication by using their personal and professional communication channels and networks as well.
- Commitment: A contract with the First Europe Consortium, open to the artists’ proposals, will define the terms and conditions for our co-creation. In any case, any participant artist will be asked to grant all necessary rights for the dissemination of the creative work and performances directly related to this Project.
Timeline
Application
- May 5: Launch of Open Call
- May TBA: Online Open House info session (recording will be available for viewing)
- June 4: Application deadline
- June: Publication of results
First Europe Key Dates: 2023-2024
- July 10-22, 2023: Residency in Lepenski Vir, Serbia (including arrival and departing days) – Vocal artists will take part in the creation of the narrative framework for the Opera Hackathons
- Autumn, 2023 – Spring 2024: Testing in Lepenski Vir, Serbia – Vocal artists will test the performances with local artists
- Autumn, 2024: Pre-premiere in Lepenski Vir, Serbia
- Autumn, 2024: Opera Hackathon in Belgrade, Serbia
- Autumn, 2024: Opera Hackathon in Budapest, Hungary
- Autumn, 2024: Opera Hackathon in Rome, Italy
How to apply
All applicants must submit the following documents in English via the online application form:
- A one-minute video on ‘How you imagine a prehistoric Opera’. You can sing, dance, talk, but we are happy to have any creative ideas such as animation, film, photo, montage, or even experimental video/media art too.
- Artistic Statement (max. 1000 words)
- A selection of your work (5 pieces of work on 5 pages maximum + links if applicable)
- A brief CV including relevant experiences in the context of the project (max. 2 pages)
- All submissions must be sent digitally through our Application Form: https://forms.gle/22zRqbWYrNF8MZXf7
Evaluation and Notification of Results
The evaluation and selection will be the responsibility of the Artistic Leadership and delegates of the project partners.
Our Selection Committee will review applications based on the artists’ body of work and quality, experience of engaging through collaborative and participatory methods, and the strength of motivation and commitment to the topic and to the objectives of the project.
The selected artists will be informed of the outcome and may be asked to provide further relevant information. After the selection, they will be requested to sign a document of commitment regarding the work with the team and their participation in the First Europe Project activities.
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the outcome of the process as well.
Contact & Further Information: Bianka Faddi, faddi.bianka@proprogressione.com
First Europe project is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union
