Call for applications

Where is South?

Call for applications

Where is South?

Call for Participants

AtWork New York (USA) – Partner: The Africa Center, NY
when: 30 May – 3 June2019 – application deadline: 20 May 2019

AtWork Libreville (Gabon) – Partners: ONG Mukasa; Institut Français Gabon; Musée National des Arts et Traditions du Gabon
when: 24-28 June 2019 – application deadline: 1o June  2019

AtWork Venice (Italy) – Partner: UNHCR
when: 9 – 13 September 2019 – application deadline: 31 August 2019

AtWork Maputo (Mozambique) – Partners: Pfwura Ndzilo; ANIMA

when: 11 – 15 November 2019 – application deadline: 24 October 2019

AtWork London (UK) – In collaboration with Young People’s Programmes at Tate Modern
when: 25 – 29 November 2019 – application deadline: 13 November 2019

Moleskine Foundation launches a call for the international creative talents to participate in its itinerant educational format AtWork. We have planned 6 chapters in 2019 that will be united under the same umbrella topic: “Where is South?”. 150 participants, 6 Countries, 150 notebooks.

“Where is South?”

“We are conditioned in our thoughts. When we are asked a question, we don’t take the time to think it over. We answer. But does the answer matter if the question is irrelevant? It reminds me of that old saying attributed to the native Americans: when the Wise man points the moon with his finger, the stupid stares at the finger.

To ask “Where is South?” equals, in a certain manner, to show the moon. The cardinal points have two functions: when they refer to a place or region, they are written with a capital; and when it is a direction or an orientation, they take a minuscule.

Our contemporary times have preferred one of the meanings to the other. When somebody says South today, it is clear in his head that he is designating a precise point, which, when we think of it, is totally inaccurate. For instance, what does the famous Global South really represent, if not only a political statement? A way the world order has chosen to name regions in opposition to others? Whenever I hear the expression: countries from the South, I always wonder what exactly the hidden message is, since South is always considered, no matter if it becomes a claim of some sorts, as inferior.

Let us try to liberate those four points from any ideology and reconsider them for what they are: directions. If we succeed in doing so, we shall rediscover that South or North do not exist as such but become activated in their meaning by the way we think about them. No matter where we are, there is always a south, and therefore, it is us who are entitled to define the meaning of the “word”, because South starts from me. It indicates a distance between the point that I want to reach and myself. It is a very intimate notion that can vary according to the place where we think we are standing. In other words, there cannot be any South without the gaze we invest it with.”

What is AtWork?

AtWork is an itinerant educational format conceived by  Moleskine Foundation and Simon Njami that uses the creative process to stimulate critical thinking and debate among the participants. It helps to develop the intellectual and emotional skills necessary to develop both a personal and a collective sense of identity.

Learn more

Under the leadership of an artist or curator the participants partake in collective discussions and self-reflection on the chosen topic, producing a personalized notebook which embodies the process of self-reflection and critical thinking triggered by the workshop.

The notebooks are then exhibited in an art show, co-curated by the students themselves.

The notebooks join the Moleskine Foundation permanent collection, appearing in international exhibitions and biennales and in digital form on at-work.org.

In the past the collection has been exhibited at Art Basel Fair, Dak’Art Biennale 2016, Art Paris Fair 2017. The AtWorkers’ notebooks enter the collection along such prominent authors as Pascale Marthine Tayou, Nicolas Hlobo, Francis Kéré, Spike Jonze, Antonio Marras, Ross Lovegrove and many others.

The workshop is open to students from every discipline, young creative talents and young education professionals.

To find out everything about AtWork format click here.

How does it work this year?

Each AtWork chapter is a 4-5-day intensive workshop (from 10:AM to 6:PM) on the topic “Where is South?” that culminates in an exhibition of the artistic notebooks created during the workshop. Each workshop can accommodate 25 participants and will be conducted by a prominent artist or intellectual, such as Simon Njami and others. There is a fee to participate in the workshop. The money collected through the paying participants will be used to cover the scholarships for the future AtWork workshops.

Moleskine Foundation will be giving out 20 scholarships for each chapter that will cover the participation costs. Travel and accommodation will be at the participants’ expense. *

* except for the AtWork Venice chapter for candidates who are beneficiaries of international protection permits (refugee status and subsidiary protection) or asylum seekers.

 

Which chapters can I apply for?

AtWork New York (USA) conducted by Simon Njami – In partnership with The Africa Center, NY

The workshop will take place at the Skowhegan facilities on 136 West 22d street. Participation fee is €300.

when: 30 May – 3 June2019 – application deadline: 20 May 2019

AtWork Libreville (Gabon) conducted by Simon Njami – In partnership with ONG Mukasa, Institut Français, Musée National Du Gabon.

The workshop will take place at the Institut Français facilities. Participation fee is €150

when: 24-28 June 2019 – application deadline: 1 June  2019

AtWork Venice (Italy) conducted by Simon Njami – In partnership with UNHCR.

The workshop will take place at the Palazzo Querini facilities. Participation fee is €300

when: 9 – 13 September 2019 – application deadline: 31 August 2019

AtWork Maputo (Mozambique) conducted by Simon Njami – In partnership with Pfwura Ndzilo; ANIMA

The workshop will take place at Museu Nacional de Arte. 

Participation fee is €150

when: 11 – 15 November 2019 – application deadline: 24 October 2019

AtWork London (UK)  – In collaboration with Young People’s Programmes at Tate Modern.

when: 25 – 29 November 2019 – application deadline: 13 November 2019

 

The workshop conductors:

Simon Njami

Questions

How do I apply?

Please fill out the application form below

The selection process will be based on the information you provide and be will be effectuated by Moleskine Foundation and our respective local partner in charge of the workshop organisation

Application deadlines for the respective workshops:

AtWork New York (USA) conducted by Simon Njami

when: 30 May – 3 June 2019 – application deadline: 20 May 2019

AtWork Libreville (Gabon) conducted by Simon Njami

when: 24-28 June 2019 – application deadline: 10 June  2019

AtWork Venice (Italy) conducted by Simon Njami

when: 9 – 13 September 2019 – application deadline: 31 August 2019

AtWork Maputo (Mozambique) conducted by Simon Njami

when: 11 – 15 November 2019 – application deadline: 24 October 2019

AtWork London (UK) 

when: 25 – 29 November 2019 – application deadline: 13 November 2019

How do I apply for a scholarship?

The application process is the same, you just have to indicate in the application form that you do not have the funds to cover the participation costs.

Who can apply for a scholarship?

  • If you are a student, a young creative talent between 18 – 27 y.o.
  • If you are a young education professional between 23-30 years old.
  • If you (or your sponsor) can cover your travel expenses, accommodation and daily expenses in the city of the workshop you have chosen*
  • If you are proficient in English for all the workshops and in French if the workshop is held in French-speaking countries.
  • International applications are welcome

* In the case of AtWork Venice chapter, the candidates who are beneficiaries of international protection permits (refugee status and subsidiary protection) or asylum seekers, can also request travel, board and lodging expenses in the application form.

What happens if I am selected for a scholarship?

  • You will receive an email confirming your selection and will be asked to confirm your desire to participate.
  • The Moleskine Foundation scholarship will cover your participation fee for the days of the workshop. Lunch will also be provided for all the days of the workshop.
  • You will have to cover your travel and accommodation costs if you live outside of the city where the workshop is taking place.
  • You will be contacted by our local partner with the details of the workshop.
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