Renovated by the prestigious international studio "NeM Architectes" and at the initiative of the Government of Albania, Vila 31 x Art Explora in Tirana will be a place for innovative artistic projects.
The Vila 31 x Art Explora artist residency program in Tirana will host up to twenty artists per year, for 3-month residencies spread over 3 sessions, writes A2. The residents were selected through an open call from applications submitted by artists from over 100 countries. During their 3-month stay at Vila 31, they will develop artistic projects that address social, historical and contemporary issues facing the local area.
The Ambassador of France to Albania, Catherine Suard, said: “It is a privilege for me to be here today to inaugurate this impressive project, Vila 31 x Art Explora. This place, marked by history, enters today into a new life as a dedicated residence of artistic creation and intercultural dialogue. Vila 31, more than a simple workspace for artists, is a vision of openness: an art without borders, accessible and rooted in the shared values of sharing and innovation. It places Tirana in the network of major European and international platforms, but also of contemporary art.”
The Executive Director of “Art Explora”, Bruno Julliard, emphasized: “We created the foundation 5 years ago to share art and culture with everyone and to support artists. Today, the foundation will amplify this mission to support and remove barriers to contemporary art, at Vila 31 x Art Explora and artists in Tirana. By transforming the former home of dictator Enver Hoxha, Vila 31 x Art Explora will offer the public the opportunity to activate this historical site. This is a place that encourages both introspection and creativity and we hope it will inspire artists”.
The Artistic Director of “Art Explora”, Blanchede Lestrange, stated: “We had a wonderful success for the first call for applications, receiving thousands of applications from 109 countries, which is extraordinary for a first call. The jury selected 23 artists, from 15 countries for the first year. This is an open dialogue between established artists, emerging artists and also between practices in visual art, music and performance coming from different parts of the world. The selection was made by an international jury and prestigious figures, experts and curators who know the context of the region. The artists’ projects are based on social aspects, links to technology, ecological aspects, but also links to Albania and the context of this villa. The joint residency program will welcome artists in Paris and Tirana, 3 months in each city. We want to collaborate with festivals, institutions, organizing many workshops with the public, because the DNA of Art Explora is to be open to the public, schools, students, NGOs."
The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania, Blendi Gonxhja, stated: "MEKI, together with Art Explora, the coming days and months will make it possible to organize the annual calendar and all the cooperation will also make it possible to include this center in what we have conceived and re-conceived, the calls and grants. Tirana now finds a center, a new hot spot, that will have an artistic life in terms of the independent scene. This comes at the right moment, in a situation where we are now more prepared and more responsible, regarding the role that the central government and all other organizations have, towards art and artists. Together we will find ourselves close to this new challenge that we have. On the one hand, artists will try to scare the ghost of Enver by breaking it with art, dialogue and democracy and on the other hand, the aspect of Albania integrating into the EU, not only with the market and laws, but also with the aspect of creative life".
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, underlined: “Today ends a very long journey of reflections on what could happen in this building, dilemmas about what program this building had and temptations to demolish it. I believe that the architects should have the extraordinary merits for the way they have transformed this space, this haunted house, into a space diametrically different from the program of this house, but at the same time maintaining a content in terms of the appearance of the decor. This center is inspiring in many aspects. I am pleased that this partnership was fulfilled in record time and this result is spectacular in all details. The opportunity that is created for young Albanian artists, from the region and from around the world to meet together in one space is extraordinary. I am sure of the synergy that will be created between the artists and their interaction with the world beyond these walls.”
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