n+1 projects for Aperto Call for participation Exhibition from 13th to 27th of November, 2011 at Aperto’ s gallery in Montpellier (France)

curated by Anna Olszewska

Contents -

Statement p.2 Call for participation p.3 About Aperto p.4 Guidlines and conditions of participation–contacts p.9 Plans p.10

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

1

Call for participation Please find attached an overview and guidelines for the exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto which will take a place from 13th to 27th of November, 2011 at Aperto’s gallery in Montpellier, France. This event, initiated by Anna Olszewska, a curator based in Brittany (France), seeks to bring together a body of projects/artworks conceived of by the artists especially for Aperto’s gallery. These projects, a kind of artistic speculation about a remote or unknown place, will form the basis for an exhibition that functions as a site for the consideration of potential works of art, works that together resemble a kind of "database" to be explored by chance and via on-site projections. “At what moment does the artwork take place? “ This question, asked by Anna Olszewska (developed in the statement of intention below) will generate an original exhibition concerning the status of an artwork and its transmission. To engage this issue we propose that artists create projects specific to the site’s given space and time, projects that are developed to the point where they can be successfully integrated into a group exhibition. We wish gather through this submission process n+1 projects (the specific number will be arrived at according to the number of responses), from all disciplines that can be presented in digital format (broadly defined). Entrusted to the organizers, the digital files will be the content of individual installations set up according to the instructions the artist provides, they will become part of a group presentation and a they will be tagged with a specific category that will guide visitors through the exhibition. A publication will be produced for the occasion. We hope that through this invitation we will succeed in allowing a long-distance collaboration between artists whose work will follow the guidelines and conditions set forth in this brochure. The projects will be sent in digital form only and may be presented in the form of video projection DV-Pal format, sound installations, screening on a computer monitor, and digital printing. We hope you find this proposal interesting and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Anna Olszewska, Pascale Grossetti and Aperto’s collective.

Contacts Anna Olszewska, curator : [email protected] Pascale Grossetti, project coordinator : [email protected] Aperto : 00334 67 72 57 41 ou mail: [email protected] -Site : http://aperto.free.fr

00336 33 92 05 18

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

2

Statement of intent

n+1 projects for Aperto In the tradition of performance, events, Fluxus telepathic transmissions or, referencing the potential of conceptual artworks in the form of statements or scores, the exhibition n +1 projects for Aperto proposes to gather in a given space and time art projects voided of the processes, means and conditions of their eventual realization. It is a question of engineering a remotely-created exhibition in a concrete space. This exhibition will, on the one hand, welcome projects whose actual realization would present certain practical difficulties such as shipping, insurance, and the materials necessary for their execution, and on the other hand, it will become a platform of visibility for artists distant from the exhibition site. Inspired by the exhibition “Art by telephone”, organized by Jan van der Marck in 1969 at the Museum of contemporary art in Chicago, “n+1 projects for Aperto” reflects as much on the status of an artwork in the digital age (at what moment does an artwork take place?), as on the construction of a remote exhibition that renders artwork visible by employing today’s communications tools. These constantly evolving tools, multifunctional, adaptable, high-speed and long-ranging, have the capacity to actualize an artistic project by virtualizing its mode of production. The exhibition “n+1 projects for Aperto” is opened to the proposals of artists who engage digital language in some aspect of its multiple possibilities: visual, sound, and/or transmission. Presented as video which could be recorded, for example, on a i-phone or webcam with a running time of no longer than 10 minutes, these projects will be imagined for the Aperto gallery, transformed for the occasion into a database and an archive. Some of these projects, subject to the constraints of the site, could be materialized in physical space during the show, while others, which adapt to other proposals, could be presented in the future events. All of the projects, however, will be accessible to the public in Aperto’s gallery during the two weeks of the exhibition. The materialization of the exhibition and its on-site presentation constitute an essential aspect of its purpose. The question remains of presenting the different artists’ propositions to a visitor willing to be receptive to a work of art in a state of becoming. Anna Olszewska

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

3

About Aperto About Aperto Aperto (founded in1997) produces contemporary art exhibitions, partners in developing artistic events, and promotes the creativity of young artists. Its mission is to establish a place of research and production for the artists as well as a space of art accessible to all members of the public. It’s programming, undertaken a number of years ago offers a diversified approach: exhibitions of works around specific problems related to our perception of the work of art at the beginning of the new century, (the archives as a reflection on artistic production, artist's books...); group shows coordinated by young curators who bring to their reading of the current artistic scene or the presentations of singular artistic practices. All these presentations constitute many points of view which are subject to exchange and discussion. Other projects investigate urban spaces or are presented in public venues. (“Facades” or “48 Hours”). Aperto’s partners include associations and institutions of contemporary creative production, of its sponsorship and dissemination. A network was gradually built linking not only within the existing framework of the region and the city, but also many locations and artists’ collectives in France. Associations from Clermont-Ferrand, Toulouse, Marseilles, Limoges, Orleans, Paris and Metz have taken part in projects at Aperto or are currently working with us. This principle of interregional exchange makes possible the intersection of different points of view, encourages a reflections on the French artistic scene, and enables the circulation the artists’ work. Publications, productions and assistance in artists’ projects. In the course of its activities, Aperto has adopted the role of facilitating creativity by becoming a producer and by undertaking a series of publication since 2003. 2004 and 2005: two collections of drawings were published and distributed: “Graphic Interviews” of J. F Desserre and “Anything, followed by few adventures of God”, Yellow kid. 2004: the catalogue of the exhibition “Bloody Mary - a Cabinet of Curiosities”. 2005: “ME” booklet of texts focused on the work of the artists’ collective. 2006: Patrick Sauze “the Triumphing Defeatism” and catalogue of exhibition “Stock in Stock”, Participation to the “BLOCK” of Eric Watier, autonomous work proposed in the form of book which each page can be detached and produced by the Zédélé editions. 2008: the series was resumed with the publication of ISBN, the title of an exhibition carried out in January. Both a record of the exhibition and an independent artist’s book, it includes artists’ contributions and theoretical texts on the subject. 2010: “Critical Function, some variously expressed appearances” edited by Manuel Fadat, catalogue of eponymous exhibition with a selection of interviews. Interaction and partnerships with other organization In the implementation of artistic events, Aperto maintains professional and friendly relationships with Frac Languedoc - Roussillon, the School of Fine Arts of Montpellier and various artist groups in France and abroad. Aperto is member of the FRAAP and the association 009 made up of the art galleries of Montpellier: Gallery Helene Trintignan, Alma Gallery, etc gallery, Gallery Block box, Viewfinder, GM Galerie, Aperto, Fanlight Gallery. 009 was instrumental in producing the first edition of the “Gallery Map”, a contribution to the visibility of the contemporary artistic scene in the area. This association also creates the framework for future events that intersect art and/or institutional structures. This association initiated a drawing salon which has been held for 3 years at the Carré Saint Anne in Montpellier. The active members of the association are artists with an ongoing individual artistic practice. Their work in Aperto is an engagement which aims to contribute actively to the dynamic of contemporary art and its players. Moreover, a special concern with the acceptance of contemporary art makes involves them in all aspects of relationships that involve the public: special programmes, events, meetings, visits, workshops and other activities.

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

4

Plans

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

5

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

6

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

7

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

8

system of possible video diffusion

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

9

Guidelines and conditions of participation - contacts Exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto from 12th to 27th of November, 2011. Opening on Saturday, November 12th at 6:30 pm

Guidelines We ask the artists wishing to join this exhibition to send us a confirmation of participation to the project (text, sketch or the other one) before September 12th to allow us a first display of possible projects. Your definitive proposition will have to reach us before September 30th in digital form only (for example as video which could be recorded on a iphone or webcam with a running time of no longer than 10 minutes) It may be presented in the form of video projection - DV-Pal format, sound installations, screening on a computer monitor. The exhibition begins November 12 th. Technical assistance and equipment At your disposal in the gallery Aperto: – Projectors: DV-Pal – Audio Equipment via computer / tv monitor – Team of seven people (installation, communication, promotion). For obvious financial reasons the association cannot pay the travelling costs of the artists wishing to join us for the opening. The publication will be sent to the artists, as soon as possible after the exhibition.

Contacts Anna Olszewska, curator : [email protected] Pascale Grossetti, coordinator of the project: [email protected] Aperto collective Tél : 00334 67 72 57 41 ou 00336 33 92 05 18 mail: [email protected] Site : http://aperto.free.fr  Aperto, 1 rue Etienne Cardaire, 34000 Montpellier, France

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

10

Gallery Aperto – exhibitions (selection)

(En haut) Stock en stock, 60 artistes dans 60 m2 - 2006 (En bas) Exposition Sylvie Réno - 2007

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

11

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

12

Call for participation – exhibition n+1 projects for Aperto Gallery of Aperto, Montpellier, France. http://aperto.free.fr

13