Les Ateliers Vortex

Managed by artists, being a space of creation and diffusion is the special feature of this place. It stands out through the offer of an artistic range in addition to contemporary art exhibitions hosting events such as performance arts evenings, videos projections, and published editions works. The purpose of "Les Ateliers Vortex" association is to support the production, creation, and distribution of young contemporary artists. To meet their growing needs to have access to such places, the association offers the innovative concept of temporary occupation of its workshops and skills.

Vue de l'exposition « Signal Mouvement » de Violaine Lochu, septembre 2019 © Cécilia Philippe / Les Ateliers Vortex

MOYENS DISPONIBLES AVAILABLE MEANS

- technical support to the artist during the production of works as well as the exhibition set-up and ismantling,
- the association pays the design, production, distribution of communication media and the planning of the exhibition opening,
- the resident can have access to production workshops (wood, metal and screen printing),
- the association pays for the accommodation during the residence,
- the artist is granted a creation and research scholarship of € 3,000 and a living allowance of €500.

DURation

The exhibitions last approximately 5 weeks. The artist residency takes place in July and August.

seLECTION process

The selection of the artist-in-residence is based on application, further to a call for applications, published each year in November, ending in January or February. The jury is made up of the founding members of "les Ateliers Vortex" and contemporary art professionals.

ReSIDENT'S OBLIGATIONS

The chosen artist agrees to be present on site for at least seven weeks during the residency. He also agrees to create works that will be exhibited at the end of his residency at "Les Ateliers Vortex".

ACTIONS towards audiences

"Les Ateliers Vortex" promote access to contemporary art through mediation actions adapted to various audiences, and workshops helping to raise awareness among young people of the current artistic practices. Each exhibition offers the opportunity to bring a discussion between the artist and a participant, intending to take a new look at the artists' practice and their questions. "Les Ateliers Vortex" organize free guided tours for schools, students and as part as extracurricular activities. Art workshops within its premises can also be offered in order to awaken artistic sensitivity.

* EXTRA RESIDENCY – ARTIST IN COMPANY *

The association Les Ateliers Vortex offers artists new ways of producing works of art through a partnership with the local company SMT Rotarex.
Located in Genlis in Côte d’Or, the company Rotarex is specialized in the manufacture of valves and in high pressure gas pipelines. It processes orders from various sectors (industrial, medical and aeronautics).
The ambition of this artist residency is to affirm a link between the business and the artistic communities. It gives the artist the opportunity to benefit from a time of immersion, research and production thanks to the material and skills available. It also helps to raise awareness of the company staff to the contemporary art, involving them in the creation process.
Moreover, this project is part of an eco-responsible approach (recovery of waste generated by the factory) in which SMT Rotarex and Les Ateliers Vortex are committed.

AVAILABLE means

The residency is offered to the artist for a period of 2 months during the summer/autumn. The following year, an exhibition of approximately 5 weeks takes place.
Many workspaces in the premises of the Rotarex company are offered. In the factory, an open space of about 400 m2 favourable for meetings with the employees, allowing the production of large sized works. A closed and quiet room is also available in the same warehouse.
Many materials are available in the factory that would normally go to waste. The artist can use those material resources that include flexibles, machined parts, brass valves and cylinders, aluminium, steel and stainless steel, crates, pallets and scraps from the factory.
La Rotarex employee is chosen as the residency’s referent, guiding the artist in his discovery and integration into the company. Various skills are also offered to produce the works : welding and digital laser engraving on metal, assembly, handling, cutting, machining …
The artist is granted a creation grant of € 1 500.

DURATION 

The residency is offered to the artist for a period of 2 months during the summer/autumn. The following year, an exhibition of approximately 5 weeks takes place.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

The selection of the artist in residency is based on application, further to a national call for applications. The jury is made up of the founding members of Les Ateliers Vortex, Fabrice Bonneau, manager of Rotarex and contemporary art professionals. 

RESIDENTS 'OBLIGATIONS

The chosen artist agrees to be present on site for at least seven weeks during the residency.
In the mid-term, a guided tour is organized for the employees to show them the work of the artist.
The artist also agrees to produce works that will be exhibited during the year of his residency at Les Ateliers Vortex or in a partner institution.

ACTIONS TOWARDS THE PUBLIC

At the end of the residency, all participants meet within the company for the presentation of the artist’s creations. The factory opens its doors to the public and to the families of the employees on this special occasion. One or more two-voices mediation sessions are planned between the public, a mediator from Les Ateliers Vortex and an employees of Rotarex who participated in the project.