Art laboratory ROJARAKU - International Artists’ Workshop is an annual event, established in 1997. It is an artist-run, non-profit-making initiative unique in the Latvia that provides a creative arena for artists who are ambitious for their work and open to the challenges of an environment that demands experiment, co-operation and exchange.

In the summer of 2002, the accent was put on the idea to bring art objects into nature - into the harbor of Roja, onto the pier of the port, in to the city. The invited artists material in this case is his/her unique way of thinking, ability to have sensation, understanding (or not) the environment, for which the specific piece is made. Artists used clay, wood, metal, concrete, acrylics, photo, ect; anything can be used to reach success.

ROJARAKU removes artists geographically and conceptually from their usual studio practice and brings them together to work in a way that is mutually beneficial, contributing to a developing international dialogue that explores our cultural and parochial differences whilst celebrating our commonality.

Since 1997, more than 60 artists from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, USA, Russia, UK, Switzerland have taken part, working in a variety of disciplines and media: ceramics, painting and sculpture, installation, land art, time-based, photographic, performance, video.

ROJARAKU:

Providing a focused period of time in which to make work
Being about process and not end product
Allowing artists to take risks and re-evaluate their practice
Challenging and changing perceptions
Encouraging collaboration and co-operation
Generating international dialogue and contacts
Providing new opportunities

LOCATION

The workshop takes place at fhe Roja Municipality. It stretches 40 kilometres along the North Kurzeme coast of the Riga Bay. The municipality includes 6 villages, the largest being Roja. Roja is situated at the estuary of the river Roja where it falls into the Baltic Sea. At present (January, 2000) Roja has about 4500 inhabitants. The nature with little human impact including the sea, dunes, sandy beach, pine forests and the appealing coastal village is a perfect place for recreation.

STRUCTURE

Artists are resident for the duration of the 16-day workshop and can choose to camp or stay in the house. A series of visitors are invited to attend throughout the workshop to encourage critical debate and dialogue. This will include presentations, lectures.

Whilst the emphasis is placed firmly upon work in progress, the final Saturday (12 of August) will be open to the public and fellow artists to visit the workshop and view the work.

All meals, accommodation and space are provided along with technical support and facilities.

FUNDING

The Workshop has received funding from the State Culture Capital Fund of Latvia, Roja municipality and other private individuals and organisations. We hope to offer all the selected artists fully funded places excluding their travel to and from the workshop. Artists, especially those from outside the Latvia, are encouraged to seek financial help for their travel through national or regional funding organisations, charitable trusts, etc.

APPLICATION INFORMATION for ROJARAKU

The application deadline is 6th March 2006. The selection panel will choose 8 artists from an open submission. Successful applicants will be notified by telephone or email towards the end of Marh.

TO APPLY PLEASE SEND:

- A completed application form.
- Six 35mm slides OR six digital images on a CD-Rom (JPG format) OR video of no more than 5 minutes on DVD or VHS. Each item must be numbered and clearly marked with your name, please mark slides with an X on the bottom left corner of the mount.
- Short Curriculum Vitae (1 page of A4).

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT BY 6TH MARCH, TO:

ROJARAKU
Maris Grosbahs
Kaapu 2
Roja
Latvia
LV 3264

For more information please email: grosbahs@gmail.com or telephone +371 6115334