Experimental Clay Residency 2023

The Hand and Machine Lab at the University of New Mexico is hosting an experimental clay residency, in collaboration with the Expressive Computation Lab at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Our goal is to explore integrations of ceramic craft with new technologies. The resident will work with researchers to develop new work employing tools like ceramic 3D printers, laser cutters, and custom software.

We are looking for experienced ceramic artists who are open to and interested in exploring new technologies. We are looking to partner with artists who are skilled craftspeople and whose work is clay focused. We are particularly interested in collaborating with artists who make functional work and artists who run a business based on their practice. No previous experience with digital technology is required or expected. We encourage artists with no previous digital experience to apply. We aim to support wide ranging explorations of the creative potential of new technologies in the hands of master craftspeople.

The images above show work created during the 2022 residencies, including by UNM artists Jared Tso and Camila Friedman-Gerlicz.

2023 RESIDENCY DETAILS

WHEN	The residency will occur for a duration of 11 weeks between May 22 and August 6, 2023.*
SUBMISSION DEADLINE	Applications must be submitted by the end of the day on January 15, 2023. Recipients will be notified on March 1, 2023.
RESIDENCY SUPPORT	Selected residents will receive the following: Stipend totalling $20,000 for three months. For artists who need to obtain housing or travel to and from UNM, assistance with these costs. Desk/Studio space in the Hand and Machine Lab. Access to the Hand and Machine Lab prototyping facilities that house a large electric kiln and a potter’s wheel as well as two PotterBot clay 3D printers, several Eazao clay 3D printers, a laser cutter, and several traditional 3D printers. Materials and supplies (clay, glazes, etc.) for the residency duration. Access to technology and design researchers who will function as collaborators.
EXPECTIONS OF THE ARTIST	Selected artists are expected to: Collaborate with researchers to produce a body of work and accompanying processes that integrate ceramics with digital technology. Be available to work with researchers in-person at UNM for the duration of the residency. This is an in-person residency.* Be available to work at least 30 hours per week during the residency period. Participate in interviews and reflection sessions to help researchers document and characterize the nature of the collaborative process. Give a talk about your work during the residency. Participate in exhibitions related to the residency * For applicants with outside family, professional, or other commitments, we can work with you to develop a schedule that accommodates your needs.
SELECTION CRITERIA	Artists will be selected according to the following criteria: Portfolio Residency proposal Potential for mutually beneficial collaboration Participants must be current residents of the state of New Mexico or a member of a federally recognized indigenous tribe. Note: all US residents are eligible for the companion UCSB residency. Special consideration will be given to applicants from rural areas.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS	To apply please submit the following: A portfolio consisting of 10-15 images of recent work with accompanying descriptions and dates. This can be submitted in the form of a stand alone document or a link to an online portfolio. A one-page artist statement A current resume or CV A one-page residency statement. The statement should describe why you are interested in the residency and how you envision it impacting your ceramics practice. We welcome the inclusion of specific project ideas or information about technologies you are interested in exploring or learning about. The statement should also include a discussion of your approach to collaboration, touching on why you would like to explore this particular collaborative opportunity. (Optional) Additional links to a professional website, instagram page, or other relevant site

APPLY HERE

Organizers

Leah Buechley
Director, Hand and Machine Lab
Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of New Mexico

Jennifer Jacobs
Director, Expressive Computation Lab
Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Technology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Collaboration Team

As a collaborator in the Hand and Machine Lab you will be working across engineering, art, and design. You would share immediate lab space with the students and faculty listed on the people page on the Hand and Machine Lab website.

The Hand and Machine team will be meeting remotely with Professor Jacobs’ Expressive Computation lab at UCSB throughout the course of the residencies, providing an opportunity to share approaches and outcomes between the two teams.

Selection Commitee

The selection committee and organizers will work together to determine the finalists. The organizers will ultimately select the chosen resident.

Camila Friedman-Gerlicz
2022 UNM Resident

Jared Tso
2022 UNM Resident

Avi Farber
2022 UCSB Resident

Pilar Wiley
2022 UCSB Resident

Tim Castillo
Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture and Planning
University of New Mexico

Manuel Montoya
Associate Professor of Global Structures and International Management at the Anderson School of Management
University of New Mexico

Ted Jojola
Director of the Indigenous Design and Planning Institute
Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture and Planning
University of New Mexico

Sarah Rosalena Brady
Assistant Professor of Computational Craft and Haptic Media in the Department of Art
University of California Santa Barbara

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2026218. The funding will allow us to host this residency again in 2024.