The temporary suspension of normal proceedings. A hidden place, an alcove. A secret spot. A break from the usual, some time off. An escape, a breather. A bit of a rest, smoko.  A nook, a niche, a cleft. A wee interregnum. An interruption, a pause, a brief respite.

Recess is a 4 – 6 week residency open to artists, researchers, and makers – merging, emerging, submerging, early, mid, or late career. The aim of the residency is to provide artists and makers an enclave to work in, as well as an opportunity to activate the hall in a new way.

Recess offers two vital and free resources: time and space. The residency is an opportunity for artists and makers to process and create work in a dedicated room, in a central location, on their own schedule. Allowing residency participants to steep their creative processes within the hall walls.

The studio itself is an empty space, a blank canvas, a recess within the larger body of the building. Although the studio is diminutive there is scope to extend into other areas of the Old Folks hall, further offering unique spatial dimensions to work on one’s creative practice. The hall is considered a living artwork with a presence and an aliveness in its decayed state that nourishes and evokes creative contemplation. The residency encourages participants to respond to the architectural constraints and rich cultural atmos of hall itself, finishing with an artistic output (such as an exhibition or performance). Whilst there is some latitude for existing projects to be developed, preference will be given to fresh ideas that commune with the hall itself.

Such as proposals that have a community focused angle, and / or respond to the Auckland Old Folks Association (or ‘OFA’ ) kaupapa which fostered gatherings among its members “irrespective of status or creed”. The Auckland Old Folks Association was originally founded in 1945 to provide social services for the elderly. In 2006 artist Sean Curham joined the committee. From that moment there has been an evolving focus towards supporting artistic activations and cultural production. A gently persistent emphasis has been given to artistic and research practices that remain connected to the day to day condition of being part of a community. 

Recess, the brainchild of Joseph Jowitt aims to extend and explore OFA’s kaupapa to allow artists and creative thinkers to experience the hall to develop ideas and projects (and potentially comingle with the regular communities who use the hall).

This unfunded residency can include an exhibition period at its culmination (to be negotiated). There is electricity, light, Wi-Fi, access to the kitchen and a small storage cupboard.

Proposals can be sent to Kristian Larsen via ofa.recess@gmail.com and will be considered at any time of the year. Please include documentation of your previous work (9 images max), and a short proposal of what you plan to work on during the residency.

Past residents include:

Kristian Larsen
MJ Lee
Anna Magnúsdóttir
Brittany Kohler
Jane Smolira
Gracie Lewis
Hu Qianwen
Jeremiah Neri
Ivan Mrsic
Christina Houghton
Kate Bartlett
John Dymond
Rachel Ruckstuhl Mann
Weichu Huang
Tove Spary
val smith
Sophie Sutherland