The program kicks off with an open call for visual artists and art critics posted on 98B COLLABoratory’s Instagram page. Running from October 29 to November 25, 2023, this open call aligns with the intention to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by inviting participants with diverse backgrounds and practices.
Applicants must complete a Google Form, uploading their Curriculum Vitae, Portfolio, and a brief biography. Additionally, they are required to respond to the following questions:
Visual Artists:
- How do you envision your participation in this curatorial research program contributing to your artistic practice, and what specific aspects of the program align with your creative goals and interests?
- Can you share how your unique artistic perspective and approach will enrich the curatorial research program? In what ways do you see this collaboration benefiting your own work as an artist?
Art Critics:
- As an art critic, how do you believe your involvement in this curatorial research program can enhance your critical and analytical skills, and what specific areas of the program do you find most intellectually stimulating for your practice as a critic?
- What are your expectations for the outcomes of this program and its potential impact on your role as an art critic? How does this opportunity align with your long-term goals and ambitions in the field of art criticism?
Participant selection hinges on provided documents and question responses. 'Confluence,' aspiring to transcend norms, strategically balances new, emerging, and established artists and critics. This convergence aligns with the program's overarching goal.
Following participant selection, one art critic withdrew due to work commitments. Consequently, an extension for art critic applications is announced on 98B’s Instagram page.
The open call description has been revised to welcome Art Critics or Writers, broadening the program to include writers with significant writing experience and interest in learning, even if they lack a background in art criticism.
Out of 34 applicants from the open call and extension, 20 (10 visual artists and 10 art critics) made it to the final list. Selected participants, including some foreign applicants, were notified that monthly in-person meetings were mandatory for experiencing artworks firsthand. Recognizing the distinct aesthetic experience of in-person viewing, participants were informed about the crucial nature of these sessions. Unfortunately, due to the commitment required for regular in-person participation, foreign applicants chose to withdraw from the program.
Selected participants must complete a Google Form to confirm their participation. This form includes the curatorial brief and an agreement form for reading and signing.
Additionally, participants are required to upload a profile photo for use in social media and other promotional materials. Responding to the following specific questions is also mandatory:
Visual Artists:
- Describe what your typical art process is like
- How would you like to present your artistic process? (answer between ‘Studio visitation’ or ‘Agreed Location’)
- What materials or medium are you planning to work with? How will the growing size of work in each stage impact your work and art making?
- If you can describe your works into a form, genre, medium, or style, what would it be?
Art Critics:
- Describe your typical art writing process
- Please share a copy of a reading material that you would like to share to the participants that can be beneficial to the objective of the program
- What is the level of knowledge in art production? What do you intend to learn in this program in terms of art production?
- Besides art, what else do you enjoy writing about?