2 places: photographers/ artists working with photography
3-4 weeks: April – May 2016 | Riga, Latvia
Application deadline: 3 January 2016

Inspired by the idea of “flâneurism” – seemingly aimless wanderings around the city – the residency is designed for photography artists interested in developing work in and around urban space. The influential 20th century philosopher Walter Benjamin wrote that for a flâneur “the walls are the desk against which he presses his notebooks; news-stands are his libraries and the terraces are the balconies from which he looks down on his household after his work is done”. We’re searching for photographers with an original perspective on present day city-dwelling.

Referring to the idea of a flâneur being closely linked to the life and work of the French poet Charles Baudelaire, we see the residency as an opportunity for the art of imagery and literature to come together. Thus, during the residency the selected photography artists will have an opportunity to collaborate with the excellent Orbita creative collective of poets and artists.

The artists in residency are expected to participate in a public event or pop-up exhibition at the end of their stay, presenting the work created during their time in Riga. The event will be part of the oficial Riga Photomonth 2016 programme and will be organised in cooperation with Orbita.

The Flâneur Riga residency is organised by ISSP in the framework of the “Flâneur: New urban narratives” project.