On Care: A Journey into the Relational Nature of Artists' Residencies

The publication revolves around the polarized nature of the resident-host encounter. The space of residency generated between artist and host leads to the establishment of a temporary community whose episodic nature corresponds to the nature of the postmodern world. From the perspective of the host the presence of the artists resembles an episodic plot where each part - despite the uniqueness of the artistic interventions - is to some extent an open form in fact it can be built anew each time. Like film characters artists assume their roles in subsequent episodes. Creating such a space in a social structure requires trust openness and a strong sense of empathy as well as a willingness to share one's resources. From the outset the editors did not aim to present an analysis of the operation of individual spheres of artist residencies but rather to compile in dialogue a polyphonic publication that illustrates the nuances of residency work and artists' experiences as well as the unstable constellations of artist residencies with its open-ended structure. Artist residency programs can serve as a model for dealing with the ever-changing contemporary world and societies. All this makes it possible to fulfill the dream of a world where there is a balance between acceptance and separateness. This world offers authenticity permanent change and constant transformation.