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Description
The project is the outcome of several years of cooperation between Insomnia Festival in Tromso, Norway and the international arts centre MeetFactory in Prague, Czech Republic and builds upon previous projects of artist exchange (both export and import) and educational activities, especially the Synapse 2015 project.
The name “Synapse” - written and pronounced the same in Czech and Norwegian - represents the connection and information transfer between both cultures and organisations. In four distinct work modules spread across two years, both organisations will collaborate on multiple key activities:
- An artistic residency and collaboration between a Norwegian and Czech artist, resulting in two commissioned interdisciplinary art-in-public-space installations, commenting on current social issues, including minorities status by exploring inner city peripheries and their socially excluded inhabitants;
- Norwegian-Czech team co-curating a gender-balanced and inclusive music and audiovisual programme to be presented at Insomnia Festival and at two showcase events at MeetFactory in both 2022 and 2023;
- A peer-learning programme aimed at further professionalization and expanding the capacity of independent cultural operators from local art communities in both Czech Republic and Norway, particularly Insomnia and MeetFactory;
- A cultural-manager-in-residence programme for young Norwegians and Czechs interested in gaining hands-on experience and knowledge abroad, working on the above activities, mentored by experienced professionals.
These intertwined activities aim to focus the general public’s attention on current social issues, such as social, racial, gender or minority discrimination but also the changing climate and its implications through artistic expression. Based on identified needs of local artistic scenes and communities in both Tromso and Prague the project will cater their needs and foster their capacities and further professionalization.