Developed by Goethe-Institut Norwegen and Institut français de Norvège, non-profit centre for art, research and learning PRAKSIS (Oslo), Lusaka Centre for Contemporary Art (LuCAC), and Rudolf Kangwa
Residency dates: 12 August - 9 September 2024
“Luxury’s contributions include sky-high emissions, growing dependence on fossil fuels, opaque supply chains, lack of meaningful environmental commitments, deforestation and serious labour complaints linked to exploitation and poor health and safety.” (Quiet (but polluting) luxury – luxury brands are out here costing us the earth, May 8, 2023, STAND.earth, https://stand.earth/insights/quiet-but-polluting-luxury-luxury-brands-are-costing-us-the-planet)
The luxury industry offers its consumers status, authenticity and integrity - the chance to meet aspirations of wealth and class and transcend identities. However, the reality of the industry is much darker. Luxury fashion alone contributes 4% of global carbon emissions (McKinsey, Fashion on climate report, 2020), the same amount of greenhouse gases as France, Germany, and the UK combined. Further to this the industry’s supply chains are notoriously opaque, with materials and production processes used by European luxury brands often involving child labour, hazardous working conditions and exploitation of people in the Global South.
Your Pleasure, Our Pain - The ethics of luxury takes the form of a one-month, active group residency, accompanied by a series of public events and outputs. It is developed by Goethe-Institut Norwegen and Institut français de Norvège, non-profit centre for art, research and learning PRAKSIS (Oslo), Lusaka Centre for Contemporary Art (LuCAC), and Rudolf Kangwa – a Zambian gemstone cutter who seeing the reality of gem mining in Africa after working for a major exporter of gemstones, decided something must be done about the industry.
For context, Zambia is the top exporter of gemstones other than diamonds in Africa, of which France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Italy are among the highest importers of these stones globally - together with China, the USA and India (Verité, Trafficking in Persons Risk Factors in Production of Gemstones - report funded by U.S. Department of State, 2016). In Zambia, over 28% of the miners are children as they can fit into small pits (ibid). While the land and mines are owned by people living in the areas of the mines, the prices of the raw stones are set by foreign buyers who regularly underpay miners, who have no education in valuing the stones. Kangwa is working to teach mining communities how to value and cut stones so that they can gain economic security and improve living and working conditions. Kangwa tells us, “I don’t believe anybody would buy these luxury products if they visited where the materials come from. The resources are so rich, but the people do not benefit. Change starts with education, not aid.”
With Kangwa’s first-hand experience and work empowering exploited mining communities as a case study into ways of bringing about change in the industry, the project sets out to research into, and raise awareness of, the urgent issues surrounding the luxury industry. It will also ask, what can be done to bring about change in the industry? It will consider the role that identity politics have on consumer behaviour and identify ways to increase consumer awareness. It will research and develop methods to empower communities to take ownership of the various parts of the supply chain that feeds the luxury industry. It will seek ways to cut the industry’s climate impact.
The residency will bring together artists, designers, and artisans for one month in Oslo to exchange experiences, practices and collectively research the implications of the luxury industry. The group’s research process will include connecting with relevant institutions, businesses, and people, as well as participating in reading groups, workshops and discussions. A minimum of one public event each week will open up the conversation to wider audiences and contribute to raising awareness of this critical situation.
About Rudolf Kangwa
Rudolf Kangwa is a Zambian lapidary based in the capital city of Zambia, Lusaka. He has been working as a professional gemstone cutter for more than 15 years.
About Lusaka Centre for Contemporary Art (LuCAC)
LuCAC is a recently established, not-for-profit and artist-driven art centre located in New Chamba Valley, Lusaka. LuCAC hosts an art gallery, a library, and a residency, dedicated to the advancement of Zambian contemporary Art and its role in national development.
About Institut Français de Norvège
The Institut français is the public establishment in charge of France's cultural action abroad.
About Goethe-Institut Norwegen
The Goethe Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany's cultural institute and is found all over the world. It promotes knowledge of the German language and facilitates international cultural cooperation
What the Residency Provides
An active, facilitated programme connected with the residency topic.
A communal work space at PRAKSIS, in the centre of Oslo.
Selected international participants receive a stipend of 3000 NOK (approximately €300)
Comfortable shared accommodation for non-Oslo based residents. Oslo-based residents will continue to stay at their local address.
Group dinners with invited guests. On weekdays, PRAKSIS will provide lunch at PRAKSIS HQ.
Oslo has a vibrant and adventurous arts landscape. PRAKSIS will provide residents with information and links to the city’s cultural scene, informing them about exhibitions, talks, performances and other events. PRAKSIS seeks wherever possible to connect participants with relevant organisations and individuals in Oslo, introducing the residency community to Oslo creatives in various spheres, including curators, writers, and artists.
Activities and events will be developed in dialogue with the residency group, and are mainly held at PRAKSIS’s space in central Oslo. At the start of the residency, participants are invited to make a presentation, informally introducing themselves and their practice to the rest of the group. Other activities include residency-related visits, a tour of Oslo's galleries, networking events, discussions and group critiques – some open to the public. A seminar event will address issues surrounding the residency theme.
Residents are responsible for their own travel and any further costs.
Our team is happy to support applications for external grants wherever possible.
Potential residents
Applications are welcomed from artist, artisans, craftspeople, designers and all others whose interests and experience are relevant to the residency’s theme.
Three places are available for international residents. Further places may be offered subject to securing support. Approximately four to six spaces are available to local residents. Selection will be based on the relevance of the application and the applicant’s ability both to gain from, and contribute to, the activities of the online residency. PRAKSIS aims to provide an environment for development and professional growth: applications are welcome from practitioners of differing ages and experience levels.
Requirements
English is the common language at PRAKSIS and residents must be sufficiently fluent to participate in group discussion and activity.
Residents are expected to involve themselves fully in the work of the residency: joining discussions, participating in events and engaging with the resident community.
Accepting a residency involves a commitment to participation for the full residency term.
Application guidelines
Submit application via Google form by 27 February at 23:59 CET. Here you will be asked to:
Summarise your practice (max. 600 characters)
How does your current practical work or research relate to the residency theme? (max. 1500 characters)
What particular topics or questions would you like to explore during the residency, and how would you like to address them? (max. 1500 characters)
How might this experience benefit you and your practice at this stage of your career?
Describe how a topically driven, group residency is appropriate for you now, and what you might specifically contribute to the dynamic of a small “think-tank”.
What are some contributions you might want to make to this body of research in the long term?
How do you hope to contribute to the residency programme? (max. 1500 characters)
Adding a CV and/or short bio
Include two references that can speak to your ability to work with/in groups over an intensive period of time.
Work sample URL: This can be a link (or links) to your website, a PDF portfolio, or slideshow. If submitting a large website - please list or link to individual projects you’d like us to look at.
Selections will be made by Bwalya Bwalya and Rudolf Kangwa, Victor Mutelekesha (LUCaC) and members of the PRAKSIS team. Online interviews will be conducted with shortlisted candidates shortly after the application deadline.
Timeline
Deadline: 27 February 2024 23:59 CET
Interviews: 4 - 6 March 2024
Residency: 12 August - 9 September 2024
