Highlight Delft, iii and VPInstruments are looking for artists who like to participate in a residency program at a sensor company. The first open call is hosted by VPInstruments – our company specializes in highly accurate measurement and mapping of air and gas flows. The final results of these residencies will be presented at the Highlight Festival on 15-17 February 2024 in Delft. The residencies focus on exploring new experimental and artistic possibilities within an environment of highly specialized sensor knowledge and environmental measurement technology. We expect these collaborations to result in fresh perspectives on this specialized technology through various artistic expressions, including experiments, performances, installations, or objects.

Highlight Delft is an art & technology festival inspiring people to think about, experience and shape their life and living environment with (new) creative applications of technology. The annual event presents future ideas made by creative application of technology. 25
installations, artworks, prototypes and other tangible future ideas made by artists, designers, researchers, tech companies and students are scattered all throughout the city and campus in Delft on indoor- and outdoor locations.

iii (instrument inventors initiative) is an artist run, community platform supporting new interdisciplinary practices linking performance, technology and the human senses. Arising from the ArtScience tradition of The Hague, iii strives to balance technological innovation, theoretical reflection and human experience. iii contributes to international developments in
the field of Art, Science & Technology, functioning both as a cultural incubator supporting research and creation, and as an agency connecting creators to a broad audience via a wide (inter)national partner network.

VP Instruments is a Delft-based sensor company specializing in measuring, monitoring, and managing compressed air and industrial gas installations. Compressed air and industrial gases are among the most expensive utilities in the industry, with potential energy savings of up to 50%. VP Instruments has developed flow meters and measurement software that allow for highly accurate measurement and mapping of air and gas flows. These flow meters have numerous applications beyond the mentioned industrial processes and can be easily controlled using common micro-electronics platforms.

Matching process artists & companies

Two winning entries are matched with respective companies and their residencies are planned. At the start of the residency a matching process with the artist and company is assisted by representatives of Highlight Delft and iii that have expertise in matching between artistic and technological partners. During the matching process results and progress of the project is shared with, monitored by and supported by these representatives.

Criteria

Applications will be selected and prioritized based on the following criteria:
● Strength of the idea (creativity, originality, expressiveness)
● Match with one of the participating companies in the residency
● Potential of the idea to develop a working prototype or proof of concept within the residency
● Cost and production factors
● Diversity and inclusion
● Relevance of the residency to the artist’s professional career

In addition to these criteria, consideration will also be given to alignment with the theme of Highlight Delft 2024 (Perception) and the preferences of our partners (iii and potential sensor companies), however, these criteria will be of secondary nature.

Application

To apply, please send an email introducing yourself, your motivation to apply for which residency and a clearly defined project proposal. In the project proposal please describe briefly your artistic concept, the method of realization and the envisioned goal of the residency. Please include links to websites, videos, social media sites etc where we can find clear documentation of relevant previous work. Send your applications to: art@highlightdelft.nl clearly stating OPEN CALL in the subject of the email.

A collaboration of Highlight Delft, iii and VPInstruments.
Supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL.