13 Feb 2017

Accepting applications for 2017 UNIDEE - University of Ideas' modules at Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto

To apply www.cittadellarte.it/unidee, and for application deadlines: see specific modules.

Now into its third year, and with a long history of residency programs for international artists (2000–13) initiated by Michelangelo Pistoletto, the new UNIDEE – University of Ideas' format proposes an educational model based on 'other' ways of gaining experience in the meeting of critical theory, activism and artistic practice, not through subordinate relationships but rather through levels of interaction, exchanges and reciprocal interference.

UNIDEE is an experimental school that these past two years has registered the great participation of 250 students from 38 different countries all over the world. These numbers are very encouraging and in a relationship of methodological continuity and semantic connection with the key words selected for 2015 (Temporality, Responsibility and Participation) and for those in 2016 (Research, Gift, Alteration), the 2017 course will use an interdisciplinary approach to examine three more macro-themes. They will be Revolution, Desire and Mediation, which are central to contemporary social-political debates as well as in the practices of many actors (artists, curators, public and private institutions, organisations, etc.) operating in the public sector.

Every year UNIDEE is based on laboratory or seminar modules that are held each week at Cittadellarte, moderated by a knowledgeable mentor with the support of a guest. The groups of participants, who are always different and arrive from all over the world, interact intensely as they discuss and examine relationships between art and the public sphere in depth, starting from different practices and going through connections with various disciplines (from visual art to the theory of economical politics, music, etc.). It is the starting point to educate 'artivators,' or agents for the organisation of actions and processes responsible for change, in the social contexts in which they live.

The mentors and guests for 2017 are (in order of appearance): Etcetera (Loreto Soledad Garin Guzman and Federico Zukerfeld) with Franco 'Bifo' Berardi; Ayreen Anastas and Rene Gabri with Carla Bottiglieri; Sofia Olascoaga; Diego del Pozo Barriuso with Julia Morandeira Arrizabalaga; Andrea Caretto / Raffaella Spagna; Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio with Luigi Fassi; Attila Faravelli and Enrico Malatesta with Adam Asnan; Aria Spinelli for the EU project 'Trauma & Revival'; Adrian Paci with Leonardo Caffo and Zef Paci; Assemble (John Bingham-Hall and Amica Dall) with Efrosini Protopapa; Rick Lowe with Elpida Rikou.

The UNIDEE programme of 2017 consolidates the collaboration with Adrian Paci and confirms last year's innovation: the bi-weekly residential module, where the first week will take place in Cittadellarte and the other in ArtHouse, Scutari.

The historical partnership with Fondazione Zegna will be reflected through the co-project of a workshop and a research module lead by Andrea Caretto / Raffaella Spagna, which will last for ten days.

In the frame of UNIDEE 2017, it is very important to mention the development of a new co-financed project by the European Union 'Trauma & Revival. Cultural relations between Eastern and Western Europe,' in which Cittadellarte will host a three-week residential module with the tutorship of Aria Spinelli. Moreover, the bonds with cultural institutions, universities and fine arts academies (students gain ECTS credits upon a negotiated agreement) from all over the world are stronger.

Anyhow, since the beginning of UNIDEE foundation, long residential programs have always been an essential feature and the collaborations with institutional partners will continue with Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, Qattan A. M. Foundation, the RESÓ network, without forgetting the Research-based Residency and the Connective Residency.

The main patrons of UNIDEE are Piedmont Region; Compagnia di San Paolo; Creative Europe; Fondazione Zegna; illycaffè S.p.A.

For further informations and applications, please visit UNIDEE – University of Ideas website or please contact: unidee@cittadellarte.it.

Programme Director and Curator: Cecilia Guida
Programme Coordinator: Clara Tosetti
Assistant Director and Curator: Annalisa Zegna

Programme developed by Cecilia Guida for UNIDEE and Educational Office of Cittadellarte, in collaboration with Juan Esteban Sandoval (Art Office), under the supervision of Paolo Naldini.