OPEN CALL
chronically online – imagining an internet utopia
chronically online is a virtual residency for emerging artists who are deeply immersed in the digital world and explore themes related to the internet and social media. Participants will develop a concept into a presentable state or further develop an existing artwork for it to be exhibited at NPAK in Yerevan, Armenia.
“chronically online”, a term that might sound like a diagnosis, yet has been reclaimed by Gen Z and others as part of their identity. We will examine social media’s impact on mental health, politics, privacy and data, and the role of identity and communities online. By exploring these and other questions about the social implications of today’s internet usage, we aim to capture the Zeitgeist and imagine a utopian vision of the digital spaces of the future.
A key aspect of the online world is the interconnectedness which allows the creation of social bonds and communities. Reflecting this, we are bringing together a group of six artists from Armenia, Georgia and Germany to create an intimate digital space where we can connect with each other to discuss, experience and interrogate the dynamics of the newly-formed internet relationships. By focusing on the shared experience of being chronically online, the aim is to create sustainable intercultural artistic networks.
Over seven weekly online sessions, we’ll come together to develop ideas, co-create and learn from guest speakers and each other. In this process we hope to inspire new perspectives and artistic expressions that explore the complex intersections of digitality, social connections, and visions of a utopian internet.
- Concept, realization and curation by Kimia Ghetmiri
- Realization and curation by Namor Votilav
- Institutional organizer: NPAK
- Supported by HK-Art Gallery and Verein zur Förderung des Instituts für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte e.V.
- Residency dates: Weekly on Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9 and 16, at 4-7PM in Germany / 6-9PM in Armenia and Georgia (the times are up for discussion, we can change it in case all participants agree on a time that is better fit for everyone).
What do we offer?
- We connect young artists from Armenia, Georgia and Germany
- Curatorial and technical assistance in the development of an artwork
- Exposure through the exhibition in Armenia in August
- Insight into accomplished artists’ work through artist talks by guest speakers (Aram Bartholl, Joana Moll and Tsai, I-Chieh)
- A space to assess and question the state of the internet and its surrounding discourse, while collaboratively imagining how the internet and social media could evolve in the future
- The participation is free of cost
Selection Criteria:
- Preference to the artists at the beginning of their journey and art students
- We expect attendance and active participation for all of the sessions and a finished artwork to be exhibited by the end of the residency
- We will not be able to handle the transportation and customs process for the exhibition in this project and therefore prefer digital artworks for the German participants. Any medium possible for Armenian and Georgian participants.
- Fluency in English, since it is our common language
- Alignment of the artist’s application with the project theme
Application
Please send the following documents to the Email-address chronicallyonlineresidency@gmail.com.
- Portfolio
- Motivational letter (max. 1 page)
- Why are you interested in participating?
- If you already have a project idea, please include that!
Don’t forget to include your full name, your preferred pronouns, the country you reside in and an Email-address through which we can get back to you!
Apply before May 14th
Announcement of the participants on May 21st
NPAK, 2025