Mortem is a specialized Ayatana residency for artists to pursue their curiosity of death. The immersive research retreat involves 10 field trips and workshops to study notions of death in art, biology, philosophy, religion and history over a week in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada in October of 2018. With the help of a team of professionals the residency will facilitate daily excursions into laboratories, temples, studios, graveyards and classrooms. This action packed research residency leaves little time free for making art, so developing ideas and collecting material will be encouraged at all times.

Ayatana residencies are designed to enrich visual and conceptual artists' practice within a group of like minded creative people. Artists, writers, musicians, film makers and dancers are invited to apply. The jury will select five or six international artists based on their portfolio rather than how they fit into any description of an artist.

We are looking for adventurous creative people who have a willingness to participate in spontaneous sharing of early-stage ideas and explore in a small group.

Memento Mori:

Residents are invited to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group.

Vanitas in art history, a guided tour of the collection at the National Gallery of Canada

Mythology:

Death deities seminar at Ottawa University

Philosophy: 

Visit a temple to learn about death in Buddhism

Burial:

Visit to a funeral home to learn about traditional burial processes and eco burials

Guided tour of the Beech wood Cemetery

A talk by Aboriginal Walks to learn about native burial traditions

Biology: 

Death begins when the heart stops beating. A talk about the process of death and extinction.

Collect recently deceased birds with FLAP

Taxidermy:

Visit to the studio of a local taxidermist.

Tour of the National Museum of Nature's large skeleton collection in the archives

Hide tanning workshop with local artist

Haunting:

Seminar lead by paranormal investigator

Paliative care: 

Visit a death doula

Location:
Residents will be picked up in Ottawa, Canada and driven to the Ayatana Residency House, near the small town of Chelsea, Quebec. This culturally vibrant town, surrounded by the Gatineau Hills is nestled between Gatineau National Park and the Gatineau River.

Cost 
$1200 USD
Residency places are limited to 6 artists. Official invites will be given to accepted applicants to help in the application to of grants and funding.

What is included:
All activities.
Transportation to all activities.
Supplies, equipment and technical gear.
A comfortable bed in the Ayatana residency house.
Most meals will be provided, cooked by our resident chef. *Residents will be responsible for paying for their own meals from restaurants, which will happen 2 or 3 times during the week.

Only applications that follow these guidelines will be considered.