August 7, 2024 | Wednesday
Foundation 17 was founded in 2016 by a collaborative duo with the aim of making visually and intellectually engaging artwork that explores social and psychological perspectives through experimental video art. It was in Foundation 17’s founding mission to implement a residency program for artists from different fields. However, due to a lack of suitable venues and financial opportunities, this took some time. Three years ago, in 2021, Foundation 17 were approached by the then Director for Culture in the Municipality of Pristina, who offered them to use the house of the Kosovo’s 20th century writer writer Hivzi Sylejmani situated in one of Pristina’s neighbourhoods to implement their residencies program.
Thus came to life Rezidenca 17, one of Foundation 17’s core pillars which houses a rich program of exchanges, collaborations and creative processes for many artists from Kosovo and the region. According to Sihana Klisurica, Foundation 17’s Communications Manager, eighty per cent of the annual program of Rezidenca 17 is supported by the EU through Culture and Creativity for Western Balkans (CC4WB) project, implemented by the Italian Government’s Agency for Development Cooperation Initiatives in the Western Balkans.
One of Rezidenca 17’s main programs is Infrared Art Residency that focuses on issues related to the environment and aims to promote research and artistic development around it. This program supports the process of developing a research or experimental idea, organising a public talk/presentation and open approach to work through the open-studio format.
Unveiling Hidden Territories is one of the projects developed by Trina Hashani through the Infrared Art Residency. Hashani is one of the three artists who have benefited from the first round of the call for residencies. Trained in London, Trina decided to use the opportunity presented by Infrared Residency to return to her hometown in Obiliq/Obilić, and discover how spaces influence identity and discovery, endeavouring to build communities with shared backgrounds while expressing the oral history of different generations amidst neglect and destruction through visual art. Through utilising a diverse range of mediums including sculpture, painting, installation art, photography and video she tries to raise awareness about neglected environments marked by destructive practices. Looking at the gradual neglect of her family’s hometown in Obiliq/Obilić and the village Hade, her aim is to emphasise the significance of preserving a healthy environment through art and research.
Rezidenca 17 will continue to host artists, researchers and creatives around their program of residencies, workshops, masterclasses, research projects and discussions. The Residence also offers a working space for people interested to use the space daily, along with many production facilities that are in the process of being renovated and returned to the community.