Art-Residence of Bishkek School of Contemporary Art "Bulbul"

Availability

About this opportunity

The Bulbul Art-Residence was opened in 2023 in the village of Besh-Kungei, 15 minutes from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The residency is curated by artist Syinat Zholdosheva and Ruslan Ismailov together with the founders of the Bishkek School of Contemporary Art (BiSCA). Bulbul is family-run residency where artists work in close contact with local culture, nature, and the everyday rhythms of family life. The residency is located on the second floor of a family house and has a separate entrance from the terrace. The resident area includes: - Two bedrooms - Shared bathroom - Shared kitchen - A terrace - A 50 m² studio with a separate entrance from the terrace The studio can host small events, performances, readings, and live presentations. The house has Wi-Fi, heating, and is suitable for long focused work periods. Besh-Kungei is located near the mountains, offering: - A cooler and more pleasant summer climate than the city - Much cleaner air during winter - Open fields, quiet surroundings, and mountain views - A safe, calm village environment perfect for concentrated work - Shops and basic services are within a short walking distance or a quick drive.. Our address is the Kyrgyz Republic, Besh-Kungei village, Ordobai uulu Karynbai Str 28/2 - Location on 2GIS: https://2gis.kg/bishkek/geo/70000001079587063 - Location on Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gaH3ZqAqe9UTAQdo6

What the artist will do

Leave a Lasting Mark at Bulbul Bulbul Art Residence is still a young place. We opened in 2023, and every year we continue shaping the space together with the artists who stay here. Rather than creating a finished environment, we see the residency itself as an evolving collaborative artwork. As part of this residency, we invite artists to contribute to the character of Bulbul by creating a permanent artwork for the house. Our main collaborative project is a series of hand-painted ceramic tiles that will be installed around the window frames throughout the residence. An artist will create a number of unique tiles, forming part of a growing collection that reflects the people who have lived and worked here. We are looking for drawings inspired by everyday life, local stories, Kyrgyz ornament and patterns, village life, nature, small observations, memories, humor, and personal visual language. We will provide reference images, ceramic tiles, paints, brushes, and all necessary materials. Beyond the tile project, we are also excited to support other site-specific ideas. If you would like to paint a wall, transform furniture, build a small installation, design functional objects, or create another permanent intervention that enriches the residency, we are very open to discussing your proposal.

House rules

No smoking indoors. Quiet hours from 10:00 pm. Please wash and put away your dishes after using the kitchen, keep shared spaces clean, and clean your room once a week during your stay. Respect other residents, the studio, and the property.