The BK-NU institutions are involved in each other’s programs and advance the position of contemporary art in Utrecht. They are highly aware of the importance of diversity for a fertile artistic environment in the city. In the dynamic cultural climate of today, where collaboration, innovation, public outreach, and participation are more important than ever, the institutions will invest more in being visible to a wide audience in Utrecht, making an even stronger commitment to creating exhibitions, lectures, projects, and presentations

Current information is available on the websites of the various institutions. Moreover, all the partners’ activities are easy to follow on one central BK-NU Facebook page.

Last year, Mercedes Bunz gave an in-depth and stimulating realization of this new idea. Read more about the successful and versatile collaboration in 2011.

In 2012 this joint venture will be continued by an endowment of the Centre for Humanities that will facilitate the appointment of an Impakt fellow and the organization of a related academic and festival program.

NO MORE WESTERNS

IMPAKT, foundation for critical media culture in Utrecht invites interested parties to submit curatorial proposals for the Impakt Festival 2012, which takes place from 24 to 28 October focussing on the theme No More Westerns.

The Impakt Festival is the annual culmination of Impakt’s activities as a foundation specialising in critical media culture: a multi-medial festival with conferences, readings, performances, screenings, exhibitions and music.

The curatorial proposal can be submitted by curators individually or collectively and should revolve around this year’s theme No More Westerns (NMW): the changing image culture under the influence of current geo-political changes world-wide.

We expect curator(s) to present a clear vision on the relations between economic developments, media industry, image culture, cultural identity and contemporary iconography in order to investigate and analyze future developments by means of the programs presented at the Impakt Festival 2012.

The festival program should sketch out subjective long-term prospects of the media culture and the ways this culture may develop in decades to come. These developments should also contain links between the current day situation and the situation in the past, especially in respect of the emerging economies of, for instance, the BRIC countries.

Ideally, the curator or the curatorial team can be responsible for the entire festival program comprising films, lectures, new media projects, presentation, a music program and an exhibition. Another possibility is to submit a proposal for one or some of the parts of the festival program.

Depending on the response of the potential candidates, Impakt may choose to work with an overall proposal of one curator or a team of curators, or to bring several curators together and compile a combination of different proposals. For more details about the No More Westerns theme, we refer you to the text below.

There is a budget for compiling the program including artists and screening fees, traveling and accommodation expenses, technical and building overhead. Curators will be paid a fee and receive a research budget. Following a first selection of the proposals submitted, the curators in question will be contacted about the financial details.

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: 30 May

Notification: 15 June

In order to qualify for selection, please send an email to nmw[at]impakt[dot]nl stating:

+ An overall concept clarifying the approach of, and connection to the No More Westerns theme.

+ An introduction to the various parts of the program including an overview of the artists featured in the various programs and a short explanation of the choices made in this respect.

+ documentation of some of the more prominently featured artists, containing links to portfolios, writings, videos, resumes, etc.

+ a clear indication of the program parts compiled by the curator, and, if apliccable a description of the program parts for which the main curator chooses to work with external curators (including resumes).

+ if a curator chooses to submit a concept for a separate part of the program instead of an overall proposal, we expect to receive a clear indication of any uncovered program parts, that is, program parts for which Impakt is expected to find other curators.

+ resumes of the curator (or all curators in the team)

A Sunday afternoon and evening at Impakt HQ action packed with a reading, films, music and a Brazilian BBQ: on 20 May, we have a scrutinizing look at Brazilian myths in a programme compiled by artist Joris Lindhout and curator Maaike Gouwenberg who investigated the influence of Gothic Literature in Brazil. In the run-up to the Impakt Festival 2012 around the theme ‘No More Westerns’, this event demonstrates how stories from the past lie at the basis of a national identity and cultural cannibalism in contemporary Brazil.
Start 16:00 p.m., tickets € 7.50

What are the origins of Brazil’s contradictory image of exotic rituals and primitive violence? In Cannibalizing Cannibal Myth, Joris Lindhout and Maaike Gouwenberg introduce us to this complicated matter through film fragments, visual material and two films.

Focal point of this programme is the manner in which the myths created by Brazil’s first colonists, have found their way into these modern times. One example relates to the 16th century story of German Hans Staden who escaped a cannibal tribe and wrote in his diary how Tupi Indians ate their enemies to gain possession of their powers. His book later served as the blueprint for obscure cult cinema classics such as Cannibal Holocaust.

In the 20th century, Brazilian authors such as Mario de Andrade managed to use the myths created by outsiders in a strategic manner, in a quest for national identity. In Andrade’s book Macunaíma, cultural cannibalism or ‘antropofagia’ is a positive metaphor for the melting of cultures. In the footsteps of the man-eating Tupi Indians, the different cultures in Brazil had to digest each other in order to turn Brazil into a stronger nation.

The darker aspects of the nation are depicted in the Brazilian version of Frankenstein: Zé do Caixão. This mythological character, a violent Nietzschean funeral undertaker with a strong aversion against religion, was, among others, featured in the film Mojica by José Mojica Marins that will be screened.

The present Brazilian artists in residence of Impakt Works use the moniker “Leandro Nerefuh and Caetano Eh Macumba” to add music to this event with a Macumba soundtrack featuring unexpected Afro-Brazilian rhythms. In addition, there will be a BBQ fitting to the theme and traditional Brazilian snacks. In conclusion of this event, the iconic rendition of Macunaíma by Joaquim Pedro de Andrade (1969) will be screened.

Joris Lindhout works as an independent artist at self formed Grok Projects and is currently building the ‘Department of Crime, Myth and Monstrosity’. Maaike Gouwenberg works as a curator at W139, De Zaak MG and is director of A.P.E. (art projects era). Read more about their research in São Paulo on their blog Gótico Brasileiro.

Please send us an e-mail that you are attending to rsvp[at]impakt[dot]nl

Stichting Impakt richt zich op het presenteren en produceren van mediakunst in een kritische context. Hiertoe organiseren we het Impakt Festival dat dit jaar plaatsvindt van 24 t/m 28 oktober. De kern van Impakt wordt gevormd door een algemeen directeur, een zakelijk leider, een programmeur en een office manager.

Ter versteviging van het team en voor de uitvoering van het festival zoeken we met ingang van bij voorkeur 15 juni 2012 een festivalproducent. De functie houdt in dat je verantwoordelijk bent voor het realiseren van het Impakt Festival. Ook werk je mee aan de Impakt Events, Impakt Online, Impakt Works en de andere projecten die plaatsvinden in de aanloop naar het festival. In overleg met de directie zorg je voor het voorbereiden, uitvoeren en afwikkelen van deze projecten.

We zoeken iemand die ervaring heeft in het uitvoeren van complexe projecten, mensen kan aansturen, meerdere projectbudgetten beheert, goede contactuele eigenschappen heeft, zelfstandig werkt, goed kan presteren onder tijdsdruk en kennis heeft van AV- en computertechniek.

Het gaat om een tijdelijke aanstelling van 24u/wk, van bij voorkeur 15 juni tot 15 november 2012.

Voor meer informatie of vragen: www.impakt.nl / info@impakt.nl

Reacties t.a.v. Arjon Dunnewind dienen uiterlijk 25 mei binnen te zijn en kunnen opgestuurd worden naar jobs@impakt.nl of naar Impakt  – Postbus 735 – 3500 AS Utrecht. Gesprekken zullen plaatsvinden in de week van 28 mei t/m 5 juni.

Please note: only Dutch-speaking candidates are eligible. 

Stichting Impakt richt zich op het presenteren en produceren van mediakunst in een kritische context. Hiertoe organiseren we het Impakt Festival dat dit jaar plaatsvindt van 24 t/m 28 oktober. De kern van Impakt wordt gevormd door een algemeen directeur, een zakelijk leider, een programmeur en een office manager.

Ter versteviging van het team en voor de uitvoering van het festival zoeken we bij voorkeur voor 15 juni 2012 een medewerker publiciteit. De functie houdt in dat je verantwoordelijk bent voor de publiciteitsvoering, het drukwerk en de marketing omtrent het Impakt Festival 2011. Ook werk je mee aan de Impakt Events, Impakt Online, Impakt Works en de andere projecten die Stichting Impakt uitvoert.

We zoeken iemand die ervaring heeft in het genereren van publiciteit voor culturele projecten, het Nederlands en het Engels goed beheerst, vertrouwd is met zowel de culturele pers als de ‘social media’ en teksten kan redigeren, combineren en samenvatten en kan presteren onder tijdsdruk.

Het gaat om een tijdelijke aanstelling van 24u/wk, van bij voorkeur 15 juni t/m 15 november 2012.

Voor meer informatie of vragen: www.impakt.nl / info@impakt.nl

Reacties t.a.v. Arjon Dunnewind dienen uiterlijk 25 mei binnen te zijn en kunnen opgestuurd worden via jobs@impakt.nl of naar Impakt  – Postbus 735 – 3500 AS Utrecht. Gesprekken zullen plaatsvinden in de week van 28 mei t/m 5 juni.

In een historische uiteenzetting komen natuurlijk de mythes voorbij die de eerste kolonialisten in Brazilië creëerden en hoe deze verankerd zijn in onze tijd. Zoals de Duitser Hans Staden, die in de zestiende eeuw een kannibalenstam ontvluchtte en er een boek over schreef dat later de blauwdruk vormde voor obscure cultcinema-klassiekers als ‘Cannibal Holocaust’. Ook wordt bekeken hoe Theodor Roosevelt de piranha tot een beruchte vis maakte, en waarom Brazilië vooral gezien wordt als het land van zon, carnaval en tanga’s.

De manieren waarop Brazilianen de mythes zelf zijn gaan hergebruiken in een zoektocht naar nationale identiteit komen ook aan bod. In het invloedrijke boek ‘Macunaíma’ van Mario de Andrade (1928) dient menseneterij, antropofagia, als positieve metafoor voor het vermengen van culturen. Via de Braziliaanse versie van Frankenstein genaamd ‘Zé do Caixão’, gaat het programma verder terug in de tijd naar de negentiende-eeuwse boeken ‘Iracema’ en ‘O Guarani’ van José de Alencar, en worden de duistere kanten van het carnaval en het dagelijks leven blootgelegd door de ogen van schrijver Nelson Rodrigues. Verder zal een korte film van Werner Herzog over indianen in de Amazone worden vertoond. Na een pauze met Braziliaanse snacks en een toepasselijke BBQ, zullen we de verfilming zien van Macunaíma (1969).

What could be the place of 3D printing, nano, LED and flexible electronics in our everyday life? Scientists present the latest possibilities, designers show inspiring projects, philosophers explore scenarios we’d like to realize or rather avoid. After all that input, we’ll all have a nice dinner and then get to work! In our brainstorm we’ll think up new ideas for these new possibilities.

Those who are truly dedicated to their idea can pitch it on the final day and hopefully win cash (max € 5.000), technical support (worth € 2.500) and participate at  GOGBOT and the Night Of Art And Science.

Each of the four days has its own theme:

Nano (May 2nd, 15:00 – 21:30)
LED and flexible electronics (May 9th , 15:00 – 21:30 ),
3D manufacturing (May 16th , 15:00 – 21:30 ),
Pitches and prizes (May 23rd, time and place t.b.a.).

Sign up for any day(s) you like at: www.ideaswaitingtohappen.com

Early April, we welcomed our first guest within the framework of our new residency branch, the VISITING CURATOR PROGRAM. With her project ‘The Mediatic Accident’, Gaia Tedone from Italy (1982, working and living in London) explores the abundance of visual material in contemporary media. Do we believe everything we see, and how does our attitude influence possible controversies surrounding images? Following profound research through various meetings with Dutch artists and academics, Gaia convoked a group of committed people at a so-called think-thank dinner in order to collect ideas for a next step in her project: an online, interactive image board is one of the concepts in the pipeline.

From his current home in Berlin, visiting curator Avi Feldman (1976), former lawyer practicing in Tel-Aviv, recently began researching the relationship between the arts and law practice. In ‘Image Law’, he is looking for ways in which these universal but only rarely interconnected key values of civilization may interact. In his encounters with law lecturers, artists and other experts, Feldman met with highly stimulating reactions. Following his two weeks at Impakt, these meetings have become the breeding ground not only for new possible assumptions but also for new concepts to be worked out in Imagine Law: a book, an exhibition or a symposium are all ambitions of Feldman, but until these ideas materialize, new concepts will take shape on a website.

Another fresh perspective from Berlin is offered by our most recent artist in residence Linda Franke (1980). In her work,  she uses humor and performance as strategies of endearment. Clichés from soaps and propaganda are dissected in an absurdist manner with a disturbing combination of existential questions asked in the hyper artificial world of 3D-animation. During her residency in Utrecht, she will not only use her synthesizer to test the patience of her neighbors but also to produce a series of video shorts that will be screened at an Impakt Event in June. Stay tuned!

Caetano Carvalho & Leandro Cardoso will take up residency in the city of Utrecht as from May. These Brazilians join forces in constructing a confined cave consisting of projections of Internet GIFs– an image file format allowing short, repetitive movement. In this cave, they plan to give an interactive live show meant to verify a variety of myths relating to perspectives of truth. In addition, they will give a workshop involving the creative use of GIFs. So, better keep a close eye on our website and Facebook page.

Canadian author, director and avant-garde filmmaker Daniel Cockburn no longer is a stranger at Impakt. Following a few very entertaining screenings, a screen-writing workshop and an ironic anti-artist talk about in November 2011, Cockburn visits Impakt for a second time in June and July. There is a new workshop planned, plus an evening of screenings and the very promising All the Mistakes I’ve Made, part II. We will keep you posted on these exciting new events.

Spanish artist Daniel Silvo, who will be Impakt’s guest from June through to August, uses his video work, photography and installations to question the political load of objects in a critical manner: from design originating from the Cold War to the ‘communist’ Lada – still the only car brand available to Cubans. Silvo approaches these controversial subjects with a good dose of humor and from various angles. In Utrecht, he wishes to make a fifties sitcom around the tongue-in-cheek question Are art and design able to protect us from an atomic bomb?

As from September, we are happy to welcome Mexican artist Ruben Gutierrez. Impakt selected him from the EMARE MEXICO Call. His work can be described as philosophical concepts on absurdity. Further details about his plans at Impakt will follow soon.

And for the second time in a row, Impakt is pleased to collaborate with LabMIS on organizing a residency exchange. 
LabMIS is the residency program of Museu da Imagem e do Som – museum for image and sound – in São Paulo, Brazil. A Dutch artist will be selected to work there for two months, while Impakt will welcome a Brazilian artist in Utrecht for a similar period. In order to extend the short-notice term of responding to this call, we decided to postpone the deadline to 2 May.

This means that we will be looking forward to your submissions for almost two weeks more!