ˈbīˌōm / बायोम
Residency Program for Lens-based Practitioners working towards environmental Concerns:
In the early 19th century, when photography was evolving the main objective of the scientists was to find ways to capture and fix an image on a surface.
Through this passionate journey, many processes of capturing images on light-sensitive surfaces have been invented. Various methods and use of chemicals which every one of them has a history behind and has a huge capacity of exploring within them. Through the decades as photography got more popular the ways of capturing images have been formulated to make photography simpler today, we have reached the simple form of a chip or sensor and fully automated cameras, where all the physical experience of dealing with the act of creating an image on a sensitive surface has faded away and automatised by the help of technology.
Exploring the materials and finding the ones which suit the concept of the work is one of the main objectives in the artist’s practice. The alternative processes open a different dimension for the photographer to think beyond digital pixels as they do not involve a single material. Each of the alternative processes has its characteristic form and its history exploring this potential allows the artist to experiment with materiality through the concept and aesthetics. It also gives a space to combine different methods while connecting you back to the photography's roots of how light can be captured and studied to achieve a more refined and enhanced image.
During the one-month Residency Program, our residents will have the opportunity to delve into the environmental aspect of urban cities. We encourage proposals that address immediate environmental concerns surrounding us, and we invite residents to showcase their ideas through the utilization of 19th-century photographic processes.
While acknowledging the toxic nature of these processes, we emphasize the importance of handling and disposing of materials responsibly, as well as raising awareness about their impact. This provides an opportunity for residents to communicate their desired messages effectively.
In the proposal, we request residents to outline the specific process they intend to use and explain how they believe their chosen process will convey their message most effectively. The clarity in conveying the process and its significance will play a crucial role in shaping the residency experience.
We are excited to witness how these historic photographic processes can be harnessed to shed light on pressing environmental issues and provoke meaningful discussions
We have designed a 4 week residency program where the chosen residents will have access to a full-equipped studio space and all needed materials to explore in this field with mentorship and guidance to learn the processes from scratch.
The applicant has to choose from the following methods:
Wet plate collodion (ambrotype)
Silver gelatin prints.
Albumen prints.
Each applicant can choose only one process to work on.
What we offer in the Maze residency program:
◊ One month of mentorship and guidance.
◊ Accommodation: A living space with three single beds and access to a shared kitchen and bathroom. (You will share the living space with two other residents.)
◊ 24 hour access to fully equipped studio space.
◊ Chemicals and materials needed for chosen processes. (This doesn't include films, film processing, and scanning.)
◊ Wi-Fi.
◊ Food will be provided.
◊ Studio visits and Artist's presentations.
NOTE: Selected participants will cover their travel costs to and from Maze collective Studio, New Delhi from their respective places.
What we expect from you:
◊ We expect you to utilize your time and energy to master your chosen technique and use it in your project.
◊ At the end of the residency program, we will have an open studio and your works should be ready to display.
◊ A digital file of your work created during the residency and a concept note.
◊ Maintenance of the studio, equipment, and living space.
Who can Apply?
◊ The application is open to anyone currently residing in India above 18 years old, regardless of age, color, gender, profession & nationality.
◊ The applicant doesn't necessarily need to have any prior experience with the process.