We've been contacted by a project in Thailand , the land foundation, that is inviting residency applications through September 30. The residency is called "One Year Project 2" and will run from October 1, 2007, to September 30, 2008. The land is located some 20 minutes from the provincial capital Chiang Mai.

From here on, everything is a bit mysterious, but we do know a little, thanks to the land artists' supreme effort at translating their Web site into English. "Initiated in 1998, the land (more direct translation from Thai to English would be, the rice field) was the merging of ideas by different artists to cultivate a place of and for social engagement."

The Web site goes one: "As some rice farmers are having difficult times in the area, due to the levels
of floods and high water level, rice farming has not been very productive. Because of this, some rice fields in the area have been offered for development, as the rice farmers are looking to find better areas for the fields. Though initially the action to acquire the rice fields were initiated by two artists from Thailand, the land was initiated with anonymity and with out the concept of ownership. The land was to be cultivated as an open space, though with certain intentions towards community, towards discussions and towards experimentation in other fields of thoughts."

And further: "The land foundation’s residency program, is conceived to support a new generation of cultural activists who are interested in its principles by providing an alternative education, within a creative working atmosphere, in a harmonious natural living space with the task of learning the following:
- Personal mind development through Vipassana Meditation: To understand how the ego works and to express sincere respect to others.
- Natural farming and self-sustainable living: To respect the ecosystem and support sustainable living in urban as well as rural areas.
- Media study: To understand the concept and role of media, to have awareness and be able to see through and analyze social phenomenon.
- Art: To understand art in terms of tools for cultural communication and to spend time and pay attention to the importance of the thinking process."

Since 1998, a number of artists from Chiang Mai University and elsewhere in Thailand, as well as Norway, the U.S., China and others have carried out collaborative projects in the community related to developing the property in a sustainable fashion, working on energy and distributions systems, a kitchen, toilets, etc. Several imaginative structures are underway. There have also been numerous talks, discussions, presentations, workshops, field trips, exhibitions connected with the project, all noted on the Web.

For more information, visit the land foundation Web site
http://www.thelandfoundation.org

E-mail: theland@thelandfoundation.org
Contact person: Ms. Sasiwimon Wongjarin
Address: the land foundationm 25 Soi 13 Sririmangkalajarn Road, Suthep, Muang, Chiangmai 50200 THAILAND

   

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