Expanded Photography Research Residency: Japan
The "Expanded Photography Research Residency" is an international hybrid program bridging Latin America and Japan, co-organized by FotoCreativaBA and IDEA R LAB. Designed for visual artists, photographers, and researchers worldwide, the program combines a long-term online laboratory with a one-month immersive on-site research residency in Kurashiki, Japan. Phase 1 consists of a 12-month online laboratory featuring monthly theoretical and creative triggers connecting contemporary expanded photography with Japanese aesthetics (Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, Ma, Provoke movement), combined with individual curatorial mentorship and group critiques. Phase 2 transitions into a 1-month on-site residency at IDEA R LAB in Kurashiki, Japan. Artists utilize studio spaces to explore site-specific research, material culture, and the creative reuse of industrial waste. The program concludes with Phase 3: open studios, process-based activations, and public presentations or group discussions online or at the FotoCreativaBA gallery in Buenos Aires. This bilingual program (English/Spanish) is built on an ethos of exploration, deep observation, and transcultural dialogue rather than purely production-driven output.
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Open to visual artists, photographers, and researchers from anywhere in the world interested in expanded photography, material processes, and transcultural dialogue. The program is fully bilingual (Spanish/English friendly).
The total program fee is USD 3,240. This is structured as an initial enrollment fee of USD 360 upon acceptance to secure the slot, followed by 12 monthly installments of USD 240 during the online laboratory phase (March 2027 – February 2028). The fee covers 12 months of intensive curatorial mentorship, specialized seminars, shared studio facilities at IDEA R LAB in Japan, full accommodation (private bedroom), and daily meals (breakfast and dinner). Airfare, personal expenses, and art materials are not included.
None currently available. However, we provide official acceptance documentation and letters of support for selected artists applying for external funding, mobility grants, or fellowships in their home countries.
Accessibility
he on-site residency takes place in a renovated industrial and community space in Kurashiki, Japan. Due to the architectural nature of traditional and repurposed buildings in this historic district, some areas have stairs or limited mobility access. We evaluate specific access needs on a case-by-case basis during pre-arrival communications to accommodate residents to the best of our ability.
Housing & Accomodation
Shared residency house featuring communal living areas, shared dining spaces and shared bathrooms.
Studio & Facilities
Facilities at IDEA R LAB specialize in the collection, documentation, and creative reuse of industrial waste materials and discarded objects. The workspace includes areas for material sorting, conceptual layout, digital scanning/printing setups, and process-based exhibition/activation spaces.
Spaces are well-ventilated and equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, designed to support autonomous material research, site-specific mockups, and cross-disciplinary visual projects.