DESERT 23°S
An Artist-led Expedition, Residency and Research programme for creatives in the Atacama Desert, Northern Chile to explore pressing issues of our time.
OPEN CALL
We are pleased to announce a new series of artist residency expeditions into the vast, otherworldly Atacama Desert, Chile. La Wayaka Current’s program Desert 23°S presents a rare opportunity to research and develop your creative practice inside an oasis in one of the driest environments on our planet. This region more closely resembles the surface of Mars than Earth, offers the most optimal conditions for astronomical observations in the world and preserves ancient archeological sites beneath the sand.
We are committed to creating a space in which artists-in-residence can explore contemporary socio-political concerns and current threats to the environment through their practice. Our fluid, site-responsive program introduces artists-in-residence to the local ecology, history and culture of this territory, cultivating spaces in remote environments that nourish and encourage space for personal and professional growth. We cultivate experiential nodes of learning with a focus on research and experimentation to manifest inspiration in an outdoor creative space, beyond a conventional studio context.
La Wayaka Current is open to all kinds of creators, artists, cultural practitioners, writers, musicians, scientists, activists as well as professionals from other fields, from across the globe, who wish to engage with urgent ecological issues of our time through creative projects in new contexts. Our residency programs offer a place to connect to territories and explore new ideas in the form of research, creative projects and artistic experimentation.
Our curated programs allow participants to inhabit unique environments, learn experientially from the land, connect to local contexts and explore pressing issues of our time. We aim to support the creation of new artistic work and dialogues that navigate a time of planetary mass extinction, ecological and climatic crisis whilst building meaningful relationships and reciprocity towards each-other and the planet. We always strive to include diverse perspectives and involve indigenous collaborators through our programming.
Programme Overview
For our programme in the Atacama Desert we challenge participants to investigate new perspectives in art and ecology through connections to this region. For the duration of the 3 week period La Wayaka Current will lead a curated program with around half of the time being immersive and guided and the other half independent and self-directed.
The program consists of a series of activities and guided research trips to inform and expand your understanding of this region. This includes cultural encounters, research excursions, guided talks and activities that aim to connect artists to the biodiversity in experiential ways and to the specifically to the Andean cosmology of the Altiplano, a culture that has developed here over the last 15,000 years. We encourage reflections and conversations that bring awareness to the deeper complexities and problematics that exist here in the driest region on earth, addressing the context of colonisation, climate change, as well as local extractivism and water-intensive mining practices.
Outside of the immersive program period, there is time to go deeper into your self-directed practice at the base or go on self-guided trips in the area. From the residency base we are strategically based for participant to access the open Desert and the Andean Steppe with wetlands, canyons, hot springs, geysers, salt flats, lakes, volcanoes and rivers to explore in the area. To make self-guided trips outside of the program we offer bikes and for further distances we can also offer advice and connections to transport and local guide service, for any other specific research catered to your interests thatyou wish to do outside of our offered programme.
Project Documentation
Deadlines
We run a series of rolling deadlines in the period upcoming to our programs. Decisions on applications take between 10-15 days after the deadlines.
30.04.2024
Program Duration and Dates
Applications are currently open to join for 3 weeks minimum during the following time periods:
2024
May 3 - May 24, 2024
September 6 - September 27, 2024
October 5 - October 26, 2024
November 2 - November 23, 2024
2025
March 9 - March 30, 2025
April 5 - April 26, 2025
May 3 - May 24, 2025
September 27 - October 18, 2025
October 24 - November 14, 2025
November 20 - December 11, 2025
What's Included:
+ Accommodation
Accommodation at our base (shared sleeping quarters with shared toilet, shower and kitchen, rustic and local style)
+ Food / Water
Tea, coffee and simple kitchen supplies will be provided along with some communal dinners to share among the residents depending on the program. Participants are in charge of all their other meals (costs and preparation) and we will offer a weekly transport into town to get supplies. (please check our latest pdf for more details)
+ Working Space
We are open to cross-disciplinary applications spanning arts, creative and other fields. Create in an outdoor, communal and diverse workspace connected to the desert oasis ecology. Participants will be encouraged to use the outdoor environment as their day to day workspace or studio. Aside from this a communal outdoor working area with tables and chairs will be available to use.
Participants are encouraged to be resourceful and work with local methods, materials, basic tools and equipment within the community and isolated natural environment.
+ Curated Program
Our program timing is split between around half the time guided and immersive and the other half self-guided and independent to carry out your self-directed practice. We include various encounters, activities and excursions that are different for each group depending on the season and time of year you join us. Research trips in the surrounding area and activities differ at times of year and at each location to accompany your self-directed practice.
+ Particiant Resources
Access all the resources you need beforehand to get the most out the experience, including advice on planning the trip, how and where to book and arrange your travel international and local, health and safety advice.
+ Residency Team
There will be a dedicated front of house available during working hours and contactable in case of emergency, along with a team working to provide our programmed activities.
+ Local Transfers
Welcome on arrival with a specially arranged transfer via road on landing into our supportive base in the vast Atacama desert.
+ Research Trips
Experience the open, everchanging otherworldliness of the Atacama desert, and gather information to inspire works in a creative group environment, through our curated research trips focussing on desert ecology and local culture.
+ Activities
Take part in an array of interesting on-site activities to inform and expand your research, practice and understanding.
+ Entrance Fees
Local entrances at certain protected areas are covered per participant on our programmed visits.
+ Showcase
Opportunities to join our community, promote and showcase artists in various formats - online, piblications, exhibitions etc. after participating in our residencies.
+ Library
Access to a small library of books and material at our base, related to the local context and overall project.
+ Funding Advice
We offer funding advice in our PDF to support to participants without the means to support themselves privately to apply for further funds, after being accepted onto the program. This includes providing a a list of our previous funders, checking through applications, offering supporting letters, budgets, documents and information.
Fees + Financial Aid:
We currently offer financial aid, advice in seeking funding from other institutions in our PDF, work-exchange opportunities and bursaries on all our programs. Our aim is to make this residency accessible for all those who wish to take part. Contact us directly for fees, to find out what aid is currently available and what you may be eligible for.
How to Apply:
Fill out all information on the Online Application Form including personal information, selection of dates and location. Tell us why you want to join us in your ‘statement of intent’ and fill out our scenario based questions.
If you are applying for financial aid please check the appropriate box on the application form.
For applications of more than 1 person an individual can fill out one application on behalf of the group.
(Zero Application Fees)
To help fund your experience view our past supporters.
Please refer to our DESERT PDF for more details on our curated programme, as well as important information for applicants.