One of the few things that was clear at the start of this pandemic was the fact that the format of the residencies as such, and the way we support artistic practices, needed to adapt and evolve. And this had to be done by all of us –individuals and institutions– united as a community. Together Apart then emerged as a remote shelter for artistic practices that is a hybrid remote residence: part seminar, part workshop and part collaborative program:

• as a residency, it gives its participants the time and (mind) space to produce new bodies of work;
• as a seminar, it brings theoretical and conceptual resources that can be used by participants in their own practice;
• as a workshop, it puts the participants’ mind and body at work with exercises that are intended to stem from free interpretation and lead to unforeseeable results;
• as a collaborative program, it bonds individuals from different corners of the planet with diverse practices, all working in different mediums, between whom a strong community is built.

Together Apart also includes artist talks, toolboxes and feedback both from the ´ace team and from peers. Participants finish the program with a new body of work under the same theme, so that they can all explore a common idea but each in their own personal way. Because it doesn’t matter where we are, or if we can’t get physically together to think or produce our works, we know we are Together Apart.

The first edition of this program took place during August-September 2020. With 23 artists and researchers from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, this refuge included participants from a wide range of artistic disciplines and practices, such as the visual arts (including drawing, engraving, painting and sculpture), installation, photography, video and sound, textile and fashion design, graphic design, performance, dance and choreography, as well as philosophy of art, communication and writing.

To date, there have been 7 editions of this program [SHELTER (English), NIDO (Spanish), FRONTIER (English and Spanish)], FUTURE (English and Spanish) and COHABITING BORDERS (Spanish), this last for emerging argentine artitssponsored by the Metropolitan Funds, Ministry of culture, Government of the City of Buenos Aires]. 150 participants from five continents –from Honolulu to Dubai and from Montreal to Buenos Aires, including Cairo, São Paulo, Vienna, Bilbao, Perth and many more …– have already participated in this program, within which they have produced collaborative works that are being presented at festivals, exhibitions and biennials.