Interactive installation workshop & residency

“More Effort, Some Function”

Participants: 3 artist from Southern Estonia, 3 artist from Vidzeme/Kurzeme regions in Latvia
Residency dates: 7-13 April & 7-13 May, 2025
Residency location: Estonia, Maajaam
Application deadline: 17th of March 2025 (included)

With this open call, we are looking for 6 participants for the first residency camp “More Effort, Some Function”: 3 from Southern Estonia, 3 from Vidzeme, Kurzeme region in Latvia.

Workshop and residency

In this workshop you will have the chance to create an interactive installation or object. Embrace humour, channel the unexpected and play until you discover something you would never otherwise make.

In the “More Effort, Some Function” workshop at Maajaam, participants have access to a diverse array of tools and equipment to craft interactive installations or objects. This well-equipped environment encourages experimentation and the creation of unique, humorous, and unexpected artworks. The workshop is in English.

Mentor

The workshop is mentored by Leopold Inkapööl, a Swedish designer, artist and musician. His art practice revolves around large scale sound installations that are meant to be interacted with, encouraging curiosity and play. As a designer he primarily works with creating unique playgrounds, with a strong emphasis on interactivity, space, detail and storytelling.

Schedule

The “More Effort, Some Function” workshop at Maajaam unfolds over two sessions in April and May 2025.

Session 1: 7th–13th of April 2025

• Introduction to the workshop theme
• Lectures and discussions
• Hands-on exploration of new tools and techniques
• Concept development and experimentation

Session 2: 7th–13th of May 2025

• Implementation of acquired skills
• Development and refinement of artworks
• Creation of interactive installations or objects using light, sound, or movement

Travel and accommodation

Travel costs are reimbursed. Accommodation is organised by the host. Participants are staying in twin rooms. Lunch and dinner is organised by the host.

Applying

Please fill out the form and submit your application by 17th of March.

About

RuralArtConnect is a program initiated by technological art farm Maajaam and Latvian art space Savvaļa to develop art communities in rural areas through skills development residency camps, interdisciplinary artists and an art network for artists in Southern Estonia and Vidzeme/Kurzeme region in Latvia. Over the course of 2025, in total 4 residency camps and workshops – each with different focus, will take place in both Latvia and Estonia.

Each residency and workshop will take place in two sessions – one of them being a phase for introducing new skills and the second one, implementing new skills. For every theme of the residency, there will be a new open call to find new participants in the region. In addition, one joint event will be organised for all the participants during the year and one joint event after completing the program.

Main organisers

This project is organised by Maajaam (EE) and Savvaļa (LV).

Maajaam is a farm for art and tech located in South of Estonia. Maajaam is situated in an old farmhouse, but is nonetheless operated as a media art experimentation residency. It lies on the frontier of these overlapping normalities, extending an invitation to contemplate, question and explore the aspects of a technological society, its influence on our behaviour, perception and thinking as well as on our surrounding environments.

Open-air art space Savvaļa in North Latvia is a place, an art exhibition in forests and meadows, a music and poetry events in a close-to-nature situations as long as diverse residencies for creatives. It has become a place for merging art, ideas, experiments and friendships.

Funding

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg) through the Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia Programme 2021-2027 (EST-LAT). The project falls under the priority ‘More cooperating cross-border regions and development of joint services,’ with a specific focus on ‘Building up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions’. Project partners: Maajaam (Wild Bits MTÜ) and Savvaļa (Biedrība “SAVĀ VAĻĀ”).
Read more about the project here.

Additional co-funder of the project is Estonian Cultural Endowment.

Can I apply as an amateur/hobby artist?

This project primarily targets professional artists; however, applications are also accepted from artists who are still in the process of completing their studies or pursuing a degree in the arts. While formal education is not a requirement, applicants must demonstrate active engagement in the arts – either through prior artistic experience or by obtaining professional education in the field.

Am I eligible to apply as a student?

Yes. Art students can also apply. Please read the previous question for a more detailed explanation of the target group.

Is previous experience with interactive installations or objects required?

No prior skills or experience in this specific art field are required to participate in the project. The project involves some work with electronics, along with other opportunities available at Maajaam.  A genuine interest in experimenting, learning and creative development is essential.