2 minute read
New International Comic Residency
Rivers are the backbones, witnesses and architects of cities and their evolution, delimiting contexts and vital architectural landscapes making up their idiosyncrasy. Water separates their banks and the numerous bridges connecting them are important city hallmarks seeking social and cultural cohesion in the rivers.
Altogether, this creates an ecosystem that is rich in nuances to be looked at from new artistic proposals. Therefore, the river is the chosen driving thread for the new International Comic Residence activated by the Quebec Maison de la littérature, the Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l'image de Angouleme and Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao Society and Contemporary Culture Centre.
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In each of these places, an author will be chosen for this residency doing it successively in Angouleme, Bilbao and Quebec. The residents will carry out their work in relation to the contemporary meaning of water in the territory, from the comprehension of human activities associated with matters such as heritage and the incorporation of historical typologies as a working tool. Getting to know other centres, questioning their own space and discovering other people will enable them to redefine their personal and creative world.
Mediateka BBK will be the Komikteka space in Azkuna Zentroa where the residents will work. A place aimed at experimentation, focused on reading and artistic production revolving around the graphic novel with an archive of 5,000 volumes.
The cross-residencies programme about comic is not only a pioneering experience in the Basque Country but also the starting point of an international cultural platform to foster creativity in the scope of graphic works and accompany authors in their creative processes. The aim of the agreement signed by Azkuna Zentroa with Quebec Maison de la littérature de Quebec, and Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l'image de Angouleme is to foster creation in the comic ambit and foster the meeting of people from other countries in professional environments that are critical for this discipline, likewise to connect artists with other contemporary artistic disciplines.
Also activated during this quarter is the first cycle of mediation related to some essential figures in the world of comic revolving around the following topics: American, European, Manga and Spanish. During these sessions aimed at both comic enthusiasts and those interested in the subject, we will be analysing the work of authors whose graphic novels are part of the Mediateka BBK collection. Anyone interested in attending can register at AZ info or online.
THREE SPACES, THREE VIEWS
Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l'image. Angoulême
Maison de la littérature. Quebec Mediateka BBK. Azkuna Zentroa
See the call for International Comic Residency on page 71.
