OPEN CALL FOR AN ARTIST RESIDENCY AND FINAL EXHIBITION PROMOTED BY CARLO ZAULI MUSEUM AND EUROPEAN ROUTE OF CERAMICS
Project Terra che rinasce / Reborning Clay
funded in the framework of the PNRR by the European Union – Next Generation EU
Carlo Zauli Museum, through its collections and various cultural activities, explores and disseminates contemporary art in all its languages, with a special focus on ceramics, a material of local tradition. The museum is located in the historical centre of Faenza, within the spaces that since 1949 were owned by Carlo Zauli, one of the most representative sculptors of the 20th century, whose work and history it promotes. The museum was founded in 2002, soon after the artist’s death, and has become an exhibition and cultural production space. The museum houses two permanent collections: one dedicated to Carlo Zauli and one presenting the artworks created by contemporary artists involved in Residency projects.
The Museum, in cooperation with the European Route of Ceramics promotes an Open Call aimed at two young ceramic artists, under 40, from the territories of the European Route of Ceramics.
This is the first international call that Carlo Zauli Museum presents after the flood of May 2023 and it is therefore very significant for celebrating the definitive restart of its cultural activities.
The Project
The Project “Terra che rinasce / Reborning Clay” aims at the creation of new ceramic works by artists-in-residence through a fully sustainable production process based on environmental sustainability and on a different way of producing artistic ceramic handicrafts by disseminating and enhancing good practices of environmental responsibility.
Following the flood that hit Carlo Zauli Museum in May 2023, devastating its spaces and programmed activities, tonnes of clay and iron oxide, present as a deposit, dissolved inside the museum’s historic cellar, giving rise to a new mixture that, according to Arpae experts, should be recycled rather than disposed of. The project foresees the reuse of this new mixture for the creation of ceramic works that would thus achieve maximum sustainability, favouring the recovery and recycling of materials.
The aim is therefore to promote the creation of sustainable works using this new mixture formed from alluvial clays made of red stoneware derived from a mixed mixture of German, English and French clays (the historical clays used by Carlo Zauli), clay from the flooded Lamone river and iron oxide.
In particular, the project will focus on the production of one or more artworks that address the themes of the relationship between man and nature, between materials and formal structure of the work, pursuing the philosophy that animated Carlo Zauli’s work and that is still present in contemporary ceramics.
Targets of the Call
International ceramic artists under 40 from the territories of the European Route of Ceramics.
Relatives and/or employees of the members of the selection jury may not participate in the Open Call.
The Award
From March to April 2025, the two selected artists will work in the historical spaces and workshops of Carlo Zauli Museum.
For the entire residency period, they will be housed in Carlo Zauli Museum’s shared flat.
Carlo Zauli Museum will guarantee a maximum total expense coverage of € 3,300.00. This includes the reimbursement of the cost of the round trip, food and the supply of materials needed to produce the ceramic works. Reimbursement details will be agreed at the beginning of the residency.
The project’s activites will be communicated on the social network and website of Carlo Zauli Museum and of the European Route of Ceramics and by the press office appointed by Carlo Zauli Museum.
The final exhibition of the works realised during the residency will be opened at Carlo Zauli Museum on 6 May 2025.
Registration for the Call for Entries
Participation in the Call for Entries is free of charge and subject to the submission by participants of the following material (English language) by e-mail:
- fully completed application form
- curriculum vitae (maximum 1 folder)
- portfolio with a selection of works realised in the last 2 years consisting of a maximum of 10 images with a short explanatory text
- motivation letter (maximum 1 folder)
- copy of a valid ID document
Documents must be sent to museocarlozauli@gmail.com no later than 30 November 2024.
All incomplete participation dossiers will be automatically eliminated and will not be considered by the jurors.
Jury
The jury will consist of:
Matteo Zauli, director of Carlo Zauli Museum, Faenza (RA)
Mara De Fanti, director of Ceramics Museum Giuseppe Gianetti, Saronno (VA)
Eva Fürtbauer, Culture Department – Association for the Promotion of European Ceramic Artists, Gmunden International Ceramic Symposium (Austria)
Benedetta Diamanti, director European Route of Ceramics
The jury, whose decision is final and irrevocable, will select the applications received in line with what described in the documentation (on the basis of CV and artistic experience) and will take care to justify the choices and draw up an appropriate report.
The names of the 2 winning artists will be published from December 20th 2024 on Carlo Zauli Museum website and they will be promptly contacted by e-mail at the address indicated on the entry form.
