In 2015, the Foundation for Art and Music for Dresden awards for the first time an artist-in-residence grant to a visual artist. From five proposals submitted, a jury of experts chose the 1970 born Spanish artist Fernando Sánchez Castillo. Sánchez Castillo explores how cultural memory evolves, how social and political power are formed, and what role historic myths play in it. He uses public space as a canvas and catalyst for his art. Through the media of film, sculpture and performance, he seeks dialogue with his audience.
"We believe that Fernando Sánchez Castillo, especially in Dresden, whose perception of historicity is determined, can raise provocative questions and current artistic positions", says Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Grunenberg, chairman of the jury. "In Spain, he is one of the most important artists of his generation, in Germany, his work is little known. With the International Art Grant to Sánchez Castillo, we hope to bring an exciting artistic position to Dresden and Germany. "
Fernando Sánchez Castillo is looking forward to his time in Dresden: "In the city I would like to deal artistically with the preservation, reconstruction and destruction of public space. I will look at monuments and documents. I am interested in how collective memory places are created and how art overcomes social boundaries and thereby can shape the future in multicultural societies with a rich heritage. In my current work, I also explore how music and dance contribute to building new institutional and personal relationships. "
Sánchez Castillo will be working in Dresden for six months from this summer. In addition to a monthly scholarship, the foundation provides him with an apartment and a studio free of charge. The studio is located in the "Kunstraum geh8", so that Sánchez Castillo will have access to a lively Dresden artist community. The public presentation of the resulting work in Dresden is expressly the aim of the scholarship. The foundation will work actively in close cooperation with the artist and with local partners to make the creative process visible to the public.
With the International Art Fellowship, the Foundation for Art and Music for Dresden wants to help shape contemporary cultural discourse, bring fresh artistic positions to Dresden and contribute to the networking of the city of art on an international level. Every two years, the scholarship invites a visual artist from abroad to live and work in Dresden. The scholarship holder is said to have already distinguished himself by creative projects that were as widely recognized as possible.
"We believe that Fernando Sánchez Castillo, especially in Dresden, whose perception of historicity is determined, can raise provocative questions and current artistic positions", says Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Grunenberg, chairman of the jury. "In Spain, he is one of the most important artists of his generation, in Germany, his work is little known. With the International Art Grant to Sánchez Castillo, we hope to bring an exciting artistic position to Dresden and Germany. "
Fernando Sánchez Castillo is looking forward to his time in Dresden: "In the city I would like to deal artistically with the preservation, reconstruction and destruction of public space. I will look at monuments and documents. I am interested in how collective memory places are created and how art overcomes social boundaries and thereby can shape the future in multicultural societies with a rich heritage. In my current work, I also explore how music and dance contribute to building new institutional and personal relationships. "
Sánchez Castillo will be working in Dresden for six months from this summer. In addition to a monthly scholarship, the foundation provides him with an apartment and a studio free of charge. The studio is located in the "Kunstraum geh8", so that Sánchez Castillo will have access to a lively Dresden artist community. The public presentation of the resulting work in Dresden is expressly the aim of the scholarship. The foundation will work actively in close cooperation with the artist and with local partners to make the creative process visible to the public.
With the International Art Fellowship, the Foundation for Art and Music for Dresden wants to help shape contemporary cultural discourse, bring fresh artistic positions to Dresden and contribute to the networking of the city of art on an international level. Every two years, the scholarship invites a visual artist from abroad to live and work in Dresden. The scholarship holder is said to have already distinguished himself by creative projects that were as widely recognized as possible.