Final presentation of the virtual residency (RE) SHAPE: artists from five countries share their online collaborations

(RE) SHAPE is a virtual creation residency program that questions the nature of virtual and analog co-creation, seeking to expand the possibilities of sharing resources and collaborating creatively beyond physical mobility. From January to April 2023, the artist duos composed of Lizette Chirrime (Mozambique) and Pantea Shayesteh (Turkey/Iran); Gökçe Uygun (Turkey) and Juan Pablo Margenat (Argentina); Claudia González (Chile) and Mirjam Jamuna Zweifel (Switzerland); Sebastian Mejía (Chile) and Oliver Roth (Switzerland); and Tatiana Cuoco (Argentina) together with Eliana Nzualo (Mozambique), have worked virtually, permeating their creative processes. These processes have been influenced by a wide variety of approaches, including the incorporation of sounding bodies, script writing, interaction with innovative technologies, synchronization of movement, exploration of shared personal experiences, talks, storytelling, singing and mapping techniques.

Through the asynchronous space of virtuality, works were created that address diverse themes such as human and non-human relationships, notions of intimacy and pleasure, feminism, escapism and the challenges of translation. These virtual connections have led to paradoxical reconnections and opportunities to discuss differences, similarities and possibilities, leading the artists to explore new forms of communication and collaboration at a distance.

During the final presentation, each pair will share the results of their collaborations, and a space will be open for questions and exchange with the audience. To participate in the final presentation of the (RE)Shape virtual residency program, we invite you to connect to the following link at 11:00 a.m. Chile, and at the following times in the other participating countries: Switzerland 5:00 p.m. (CEST); Turkey 6:00 p.m. (TRT); Mozambique 5:00 p.m. (CAT); Argentina 12:00 p.m. (ART).

During the second phase of this project, all participating artists will have the opportunity to present the final result of their research in different parts of the world, either virtually or in physical form. The first exhibition will take place on May 19 at the Zürich Tanzt Festival at the Kulturhaus Helferei in Zürich. The following dates, still to be defined, include exhibitions in Argentina, Mozambique, Istanbul and Chile.

(RE)SHAPE is an international collaboration between partners Work it Out (CH/DE), Fundación Mar Adentro (CL), Wixutta Knowledge Center (MOZ), The Art Corner of Tehran (IRN) and cheLA (ARG). It is supported by an international collaboration grant “To-gather” from Pro Helvetia: the Swiss Arts Council, Südkulturfond, Fundación Mar Adentro and Tanzhaus Zürich.

International collaboration: cultural exchange between Chile and Switzerland  

From Chile the resulting projects were Earthly Flux: A Study of Transitional Clay Bodies, a collaborative work between Chilean artist Claudia González and Swiss artist Jamuna Mirjam Zweifel, and Not Being in the City Without Leaving it by Swiss artist Oliver Roth (CH) and Chilean/Peruvian artist Sebastian Mejía.

In the work, Earthly Flux: A Study of Transitional Clay Bodies, both artists began to explore the ecosystems they inhabit: Estaquilla in Chile and Willandingen in Switzerland, both places surrounded by forest and bodies of water. Through a written script, the artists mapped their respective ecosystems and shared individually how they reconnected with the environment. At the same time, they began to engage and share their relationship with the natural resource: clay. Through the exploration of this material, both artists discovered an anchor point that raised new questions about their work, such as how can they engage in a conversation with clay through the body? how can they be transformed into natural pigments to be used in drawings or as bodies of sound resonance? and, how can they be transformed into natural pigments to be used in drawings or as bodies of sound resonance? It is worth noting that clay can be found in a wide variety of places, both in natural environments and in urban areas.

On the other hand, Not Being in the City Without Leaving It, is a video installation that gathers several dialogues between Oliver Roth and Sebastian Mejía. Taking the collaborative process as the main theme, it includes materials from zoom meetings, emails, telegram texts and audios, adopting a playful attitude towards everyday life asking ourselves, when does art happen? Working between domestic life and city escape, the video addresses various timeless themes such as rocks, walking and poetry, through an interwoven narrative of video, still images and sound.