From June 30th to August 25th 2023, artists can apply for 11 Regional Challenges as part of the S+T+ARTS In The City project. The Belgian Regional S+T+ARTS Centre GLUON, in partnership Innoviris, launches 4 challenges for artists. Under the title Where our food comes from one of the challenges aims to explore how we might enhance transparency and collaboration in the Brussels food system, ensuring a seamless journey from farm to table?
Challenge description
The transition to a more sustainable food system is a necessity for the Brussels—Capital Region, addressing both global challenges such as nature protection, biodiversity preservation, and climate change mitigation, as well as local challenges related to social issues, health, economy, and employment. Aligned with the Regional Innovation Plan and the Good Food strategy of the Brussels—Capital Region, this residency invites artists to embark on a critical exploration of the Brussels food system and the relation with the peri—urban and rural hinterlands of the city. The project can culminate in artworks, performances, thought provoking actions or innovative applications that empower closer connections between farmers and city dwellers or between producers and local society. We want to engage projects that think about the potential of digital technology and take a critical approach to assessing where technology can offer insights and solutions. A comprehensive analysis of the life cycle of one chosen food product, its specific cultural background or role in the urban life of Brussels and/or linking up the proposal with existing initiatives in the Brussels region are strongly encouraged. By starting from a very specific product (for example, but not limited to plant—based food, animal—based food, artificial/synthetic food, and food waste) we aim to make visible local food cultures to envisage new ways to grow, distribute, consume, and recycle sustainable and nourishing food at local scale.
Residency Characteristics
During the residency, the artist will be supported by a Local expert Group composed of local and international practitioners from food policy, food science, business, digital technology, urban planning, and the Arts. The residency partners are 1) Ghent University — Department of food technology, safety & health 2) Flanders’ Food 3) Innoviris 4) EIT Food 5) VIERNULVIER 6) The National Lottery and 7) Regional S+T+ARTS Center Gluon.
What do we offer?
The budget for each residency is 40.000€, including artwork production and artist fee. Throughout the residencies, the residency support network will offer the necessary expertise and support from experts affiliated to research institutions, universities, university colleges, innovative companies and start-ups (supporting network).
The result of the residency will be shown in the partner institutions of the S+T+ARTS in the City network including the exhibition at Sónar Barcelona, Ars Electronica Festival and/or the I Love Science Festival in Brussels in 2024.
