Elsewhere Residency: Kyoto | Dali | Changji | Beijing
Project Initiation
Elsewhere 别处
Artistic Director: Yu'er
Curator: Cheng Xi
Why Elsewhere
In an era of information overload yet homogenized experiences, "Elsewhere" is both a geographical notion and a state of mind. We yearn to reawaken the acuity of perception by immersing ourselves in unfamiliar contexts; we also strive to reflect on the presuppositions and limitations of our own creative practice through the lens of the "Other." The value of art lies not merely in producing works, but in how it opens new lines of inquiry—how it allows divergent perspectives to collide and germinate uncharted paths.
"Elsewhere Residency" is a cross-disciplinary artist-in-residence program that invites creators from diverse backgrounds—artists, writers, musicians, researchers, and beyond—to immerse themselves in specific locales. Rooted in the natural and cultural environments of each place, the program fosters multifaceted fieldwork, experimental creation, and cross-boundary dialogue. By transcending the limits of disciplines and modes of expression, the project seeks to rekindle the act of seeing through on-site observation, serendipitous encounters, and collaborative reinvention. Ultimately, it aspires to explore freer, more open possibilities for art within contemporary contexts.
This project emphasizes locality. The residency is not merely about gathering inspiration, but about delving into the people, culture, and natural fabric of a place—from its landscapes to social structures, from historical layers to fragments of everyday life—transforming them into nourishment for creative work
This initiative emphasizes cross-disciplinary experimentation, encouraging participants to work in unconventional ways and fostering collaborative collisions between artists, writers, and musicians. Here, the friction of differences itself becomes methodology. The outcomes may not necessarily be "polished" works—they could take the form of process documentation, improvised joint actions, or an open-ended provocation left with the local community.
Each residency will focus on a specific region, forming an interdisciplinary group through open calls or special invitations. The creative timeline remains flexible, with outcomes potentially taking shape as exhibitions, publications, live performances, or archival collections—yet greater emphasis is placed on the unexpected discoveries and insights generated during the creative process itself.
No restrictions on creative forms: non-fixed modes of expression, including but not limited to visual arts, writing, sound, action, performance, video, installation, research, poetry, text, socially engaged art, etc.
No fixed formats: installations, videos, actions, theater, community interventions, etc.
Location-fluid: streets, shops, nature, trains, or any conceivable space. As a rule, the program does not provide dedicated exhibition venues - artists are expected to seek out and activate locally appropriate sites for their presentations.
Residency Period:
Year-round: Kyoto, Beijing, Dali
Seasonal (May 1–October 30): Changji (6-month residencies)
(flexible dates). Rolling applications. On-site stays should generally not exceed 4 weeks.
Provided: Artist accommodation and residency activity space. We will provide local housing to meet living needs during the creative residency period, with all accommodation costs covered for artists.
Eligibility: Artists from all countries are welcome to apply. Applicants should demonstrate established artistic practice and professional integrity.
Regarding Works: Artists retain full ownership of works created during the residency. The organizers reserve the right to use images, videos, and audio recordings of the works for promotional purposes across various platforms.
Post-Residency Requirement: Artists are required to contribute one work or document (e.g., manuscript, sound piece, video, or sketches) for archival and exhibition purposes. These materials will not be used for any commercial purposes.
Submission Guidelines:
Application materials must include:
Artist CV
Portfolio
Residency proposal
Previous residency experience (if applicable)
Email: Elsewhere202410@163.com
Subject line format:
Artist Name + Residency Location (e.g., Dali)
Kyoto Residency Accommodation
Dali Residency Accommodation
Changji Residency Accommodation
Beijing Residency Accommodation
别处｜Elsewhere
"Elsewhere" is a multifaceted experimental project and cultural platform. We adopt a nomadic and fluid approach to activate diverse spaces and sites, operating within the ambiguous zones between art and various disciplines to explore boundless creative possibilities. This encompasses, but is not limited to, any creative practice including art, writing, film, performance, sound, movement, architecture, and beyond.