Weeds are adaptable and resilient. They grow in abundance and are often delicious sources of nutrients. Their resilience is amazing - a species that can adapt and survive in the face of climate change without human intervention. On the contrary, a species that is equipped for the future despite human efforts to eradicate it. Weeds are commonly seen as something best got rid of, eradicated, fought. Historically, "weeds" have been used as a metaphor to characterise certain people (groups) as inhuman. What is called a weed and what is a useful plant are subject to categories shaped by political and scientific interests.
collective research residency for artists, writers, and reserachers who carry on projects with with and around weeds, other plants, mushrooms, or animals
16th - 22nd of May 2023
Denk- und Produktionsort Libken
Ort Böckenberg 15-17
17268 Gerswaldeaccomodation is covered by hooops, participants pay for their travel and contribute to the costs of the collective meals
What are weeds? Do they embody resistance? How can we get in touch with weeds, assimilate with weeds, learn from weeds, incorporate weeds, become weeds?
These are questions we want to explore together during our research stay in Libken, in the countryside near Berlin. One of our goals is to tell new stories about kinship and collaboration with "weeds". Thus, together we create possible worlds and future scenarios around the themes of ecology, fantasy, and resistance to the patriarchal, colonial, and capitalist complex.
As co-researchers, we are looking for people who are already working on these themes. hooops plans to publish the second issue of Plant Magic magazine and hopes to include in it texts, images, artworks, etc. created during the residency. The residency takes a collective approach, combining independent work times with group exchanges. We will organize our meals collectively, which means that each of us will cook a meal in a team of two.
Application
Please send us in English or German:
- a short biography (can include social media, previous publications, artworks or exhibitions). Max. 2 A4 pages
- a description of the planned research project during the Weeds Residency. Max. 1 A4 page
Closing date for applications is April 16th. Write to us at: info@hooops.de (subject: "weeds residency application").
We will notify participants by April 23rd.
Residency
Please apply only if you can stay for the entire period of May 16th - 22nd. We will invite ten people to become part of a collaborative research team. The Weeds Residency is an open format, designed by the group. Participants may (but are not required to) offer self-organized workshops for the group. We will meet daily in an open colloquium to exchange about our research.
What we offer
- hooops will cover the cost of accommodation for one week (6 nights) in shared apartments (shared bedrooms)
- access to a shared studio and a large garden
- exchange with other artists
- the possibility to be represented with your project in our next Plant Magic publication
Due to limited financial resources, we are unable to cover travel expenses to Libken and the cost of shared meals. Please contact us if you are unable to register for this reason. We will try to find a solution together.
About Libken
Denk- und Produktionsort Libken offers space for working and research processes. It is located in the Uckermark north-east of Berlin, overlooking fields and forests. Libken is run by a team, some of whom live and work on site. We share the large building with other groups and resident artists, and have access to a communal kitchen, a library and a garden with partly covered working areas.
