Young Shubbak are pleased to announce an open call for their first virtual collaboration initiative Bayti Baytek. 18-25 year old MENA (Middle East and North Africa) artists of any discipline are invited to apply for an opportunity to collaborate with previous Shubbak artists Enkidu Khaled, Joe Namy, and Reem Karssli.

About

Three artists will be paired with one of the above Shubbak artists to create a response to a room in a home to be shared with an online audience this month. The project will bring together MENA artists across the globe through a rapid-response opportunity which captures the extraordinary times we find ourselves living in. By encouraging collaborators to take inspiration from the space of home while also exploring the possibilities and restraints digital spaces present, we hope that the creative responses produced will see the familiar and everyday utilised and de-familiarised in fresh, engaging ways. The inter and cross-disciplinary nature of the pairings invites early-career and established artists to exchange freely and perhaps discover new forms of circulatory collaboration. The process and project output offers a platform for artists to exercise the creative opportunities the pandemic presents while responding to the everyday at this time. Ultimately, it is a celebration of the endurance of culture in times of hardship whilst fostering intergenerational processes in MENA region arts. 

Young Shubbak are a new collective of 18-25-year-old artists, curators, producers and creatives who programme multi-art form events that are relevant to young people’s cultural experience, and promote inclusivity in the arts.

Shubbak is Europe’s largest biennial festival of contemporary Arab culture. Shubbak connects London audiences and communities with the best of contemporary Arab culture through ambitious festival programmes of premieres and commissions of visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, and literature. The last festival featured 230 artists in over 60 events at 25 locations from 28 June–14 July 2019.

Brief

On 12th May, 2020 each pair will be assigned a room in a home (kitchen, bedroom, living room) and five days to create a response. When and how often artists come together for sessions is up to each pairing (the expectation is not for this to be full-time). The output can take on any form and medium, with the condition that it can be presented digitally. There is no time limit to the work - it can range from a 2 minute video piece to a 24-hour livestream, sound recording, etc. An interactive/participatory approach is encouraged.

The presentation date and online platform will depend on the nature and needs of each of the works. We aim to launch the first of the three sharings from 19th May, 2020.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The opportunity is for 18-25 year old MENA individuals across any discipline based anywhere in the world.
  • No previous professional experience is needed to apply.

Requirements

  • Applicants must be available for an initial group meeting on 12th May and for online sessions with their partner artist throughout the week.
  • Applicants must have internet availability throughout the period. If this is not possible, please indicate in your application form and the Shubbak team will do everything they can to assist you.
  • Applications can be made in either English or Arabic.

Each artist will receive an honorarium of 200 GBP alongside producing and logistical support from Young Shubbak.

Next Steps

Tell us about yourself and why you would like to take part in this exchange by filling out this application form by 12pm BST on 10th May, 2020

Selected artists will be notified by 11th May. Due to limited capacity, we cannot notify unsuccessful applicants nor offer individual feedback. General applications that are not in response to this particular project will not be considered.

For any questions please contact: youngadvisors@shubbak.co.uk.

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