COVID-19 update: Because of the COVID-19 pandemia we needed to make a decision to postpone our summer project. At this moment we decided to begin the sailing on the 5th of August until the 28th. We stil believe it will happen although it might be again altered if the circumstances will require it. The legal and health authorities requirements will also affect the route. At the moment it seems like we might be able to sail in the Danish and Swedish waters. We will take decisions on the route based on the winds and the circumstances on a daily basis. We see this challenges as an opportunity to connect with the uncertainties, let go of the fixed plans and destinations, observe the wind and the nature to work alongside. Therefore resilience as a theme of our journey becomes even more relevant. This also gives us and you more time to apply for additional funding.
Dear friends! The deadline for applications got extended until the 07th of April 2020
The Ship of Opportunity invites artists, scientists, and storytellers to embark on Hawila, a 32-meter gaff-rigged ketch built in 1935, departing from the Danish island of Bornholm and arriving 23 days later in the town of Turku in Finland. We will follow the weather and winds to travel between those two points. Destinations will be suggested by the crew on a daily basis based on the group preferences and weather conditions. All residents will be invited to participate in sailing the ship. We will provide basic training in navigation, interaction with the wind and water, and understanding the nature of the ship. The group will also be invited to support the cooking and maintenance works. While on the ship, we function as a community, working closely together, sharing responsibilities, stories, skills. We will make sure there is enough time not only for absorbing experiences but also for independent work. The participants’ individual projects do not need to address any specific themes and there is no requirement to produce finished work during the residency, the programme mainly aims to provide a space for experimentation and exchange.
The Ship of Opportunity is a collaboration between the members of Hawila Project and artist-researcher Agata Engelman – diverse group with a variety of experiences, and working on our own projects, we want to invite a variety of people to join in for the journey. We are looking for artists, scientists, researchers, storytellers and explorers. Attentive to the environment in which we will be sailing, one of the aims of the project is to inquire into the changing condition of the Baltic’s human and nonhuman communities and multispecies entanglements, and searching for, exchanging, and sharing situated knowledges. This year we will place particular focus on the topic of food. When sailing on a ship, everyday conveniences become limits, such as storage space, electricity, water and gas. Facing scarcity of resources, we become particularly mindful when preparing the food and storing it. Food provides an insight into community, culture and resilience, we are interested in learning about local knowledges and practices. We also plan to transport seeds and local goods between the harbours. Our guests get to experience delicious, high quality, mindfully cooked food prepared in challenging conditions. Facing climate change and resource scarcity, we find it important to shift the focus to something positive and local. By using the power of the wind, on a small-scale sailing ships can provide an alternative to the transport practices that harm the environment. We see this niche practice as being important symbolically, provoking critical thinking and inspiring changes that are needed on a larger scale.
We will organise events in some of the harbours we visit, sharing food, stories and art, meeting local communities, learning about local food production, wild harvesting or traditional methods of food preservation, like fermentation and drying. Everyone will be welcome to participate in those activities, but there are no fixed expectations. We want to visit several places on our way that we find interesting for the project and the residents, including a permaculture community farm on a Swedish island of Gotland.
Application:
1) your CV/ portfolio / link to portfolio or short bio (max 1 page A4)
2) your proposal (max 1 page A4), please address the following:
● why would you like to join us;
● what would like to engage with during the journey;
● how would you like to contribute to the voyage;
● what inspires you based on the above residency description,
● state also your expectations and what would you need to feel comfortable living and creating onboard.
Please bear in mind that the space on the ship is limited. Hawila is an old wooden vessel, the things that will be stored inside can get wet and messy if not secured properly when the weather gets rough. Hawila is not a luxurious ship. The experience it offers is unforgettable, the crew is experienced, warm-hearted and will do their best to keep you safe, warm, well fed and respected. Nevertheless, please remember that it can get wet, cold and challenging in many ways. The residents will be free in their exploration and creations as long as safety and integrity of the group on board is not compromised. For safety reasons the applicants need to feel confident moving around the boat, on very steep steps and wet deck during rough weather. The residency is designed for people above 18 years old.
Send your application, including any questions you might have, to shipofopportunity@gmail.com.
Please put your name in the names of the files that will be attached.
Deadline for applications: 07.04.2020
We will inform all of you about the results within several weeks.
