Berlin 2005

Res Artis 05 Berlin the 10th General Meeting and Conference of Res Artis was convened by ufaFabrik in partnership with the Asia-Europe Foundation and with Schloss Broellin. The event gathered over 150 participants from 42 countries the largest meeting of the network so far. Under the title of “Sharing Cultures and Social Change”, the meeting was designed with a special focus on Asia-Europe cultural exchange. More than 40 delegates represented residential arts projects from places throughout Asia, including Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. “Sharing Cultures and Social Change” refers to the role of artist residencies in society, facilitating cultural exchange and impacting their surroundings to create social change. The programming was quite diverse, mixing keynote lectures and case studies with small group sessions and free time. Content included fresh information on tools for artist’s mobility, personal viewpoints from international funders, debates on current curatorial practices, issues of residency in the performing arts and alternative grant making structures. There was also a significant focus on projects and support systems within and between Europe and Asia. In order to expose the diverse and evolving art and culture of Berlin, the conference sessions were held in eight different cultural venues throughout the city. An additional excursion day provided the opportunity to explore the surrounding region, with visits to Schloss Broellin and across the border to Szczecin, Poland. Conference Information Words of Welcome Dr. Christina Weiss A warm welcome to the ‘Res Artis 05 Berlin’ conference delegates from the State Minister of the Federal Chancellery for Media and Culture, Dr. Christina Weiss. Historically, festivals have brought us examples of culture from other countries, fairs and exhibition halls show work from around the globe and international artists are represented through orchestra, concerts and dance companies. In this time of globalization, however, the meaningful international exchanges among artists has become of utmost importance. The opportunity for a real dialogue about experiences and visions central to the work of artists is very often missing. The so-called “cultural exchanges” are all too often a show and tell for finished products and productions, rarely encouraging open discussions. I am therefore pleased that this conference entitled “Sharing Cultures & Social Change” is convened in Berlin, bringing together representatives from a wide variety of organizations and projects in Asia, Europe and around the globe. This conference offers a platform for future networks, workshops and co-productions. It can also act as an opportunity for regional and local initiatives to be reinforced through trans-continental forum of ideas. All this taking place in the spectacular setting of this year’s Asia-Pacific Week in Berlin. I wish all 160 participants from 42 countries an exciting time in Berlin and hope that this conference will be productive and successful for the arts and the artists. Klaus Wowereit Greetings form the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, to the international conference of residential art centers ‘Res Artis 05 Belrin’ Berlin welcomes the participants in the first Asia-Europe conference of residential arts centers to Germany’s capital city. Berlin is international and cosmopolitan. Above all, however, Berlin is a city that offers space, scope, and potential to creative minds. I am thus delighted that representatives of many artists’ residencies from all over the world are coming to Berlin for the “Res Artis 05 Berlin” conference to exchange ideas and experiences and to talk to one another. The conference offers many opportunities to examine new models for working and living in the light of cultural differences, to discuss the prospects for transcontinental cultural projects in the “global age,” and to thereby widen our view of the world’s diversity and the abundance of forms of expression. In this era of enhanced mobility, the many “art factories” coming to Berlin for this meeting are united by the idea and the goal of providing residencies and development opportunities for artists that would be almost unimaginable under market conditions. This makes them venues not only for international cultural exchange, but for the promotion of creative work. Berlin offers many starting points for a look at the circumstances in which artistic creativity can thrive. The ufaFabrik is one of these. Once a place where dreams were captured on celluloid – on the grounds of the former ufa film studios printing facility – it has helped to make new and uncommon ideas reality for 25 years now. However, this conference will also be meeting in many other centers known for their innovative approach and offering the right setting for creative work. I hope that all of you attending the conference will enjoy not only a thought-provoking meeting, but an eventful stay in Berlin. Clayton Campbell President, Res Artis | Co-Executive Director, 18th Street Art Center On the Opening of the Res Artis 10th General Meeting On behalf of the board of directors of Res Artis I am pleased to welcome the many delegates who have traveled from around the world to the Res Artis 10th General Meeting. As we officially open this extraordinary conference, I am thinking of how Res Artis’ inaugural meeting in 1993 was also in Berlin. At that time twenty one persons from nine countries were present. Today, ten meetings later, there are 160 delegates from 40 countries, and representatives from 10 foundations and agencies who support artistic and cultural exchange. The growth of Res Artis, and the growth in the field of artist communities and networks is a parallel phenomena and I cannot help but view this development as the emergence of a significant and important component of the arts and culture landscape worldwide. I