We present to you Ornela Alia, Albanian artist and currently based in Tirana. Ornela is a beneficiary of the “Matanë” Residency program for 2024, a collaboration between Shtatëmbëdhjetë in Prishtina, Art House in Shkodra and Kontrapunkt is Skopje, and in partnership with Municipality of Prishtina.
About Ornela:
Supported by her appreciation for pop culture, virtual experiences, and mass-produced objects, her practice involves live, text, and video-based performances. She analyzes the influences that have shaped her understanding of the world, often focusing on Western culture and its large impact on a freshly free country. In a fast-paced capitalistic environment, Alia is also interested in investigating the relationship between profit and intimacy, looking closely into the flimsiness of feelings, well-being, and care. In October 2022, she received the Seed Award from the Prince Claus Fund and has had her work shown in multiple spaces around Europe.
About Matanë:
“Matanë” Residency offers artists from the Western Balkan region dedicated time and space to develop nascent projects. Artists explore new themes, techniques, and collaborations, supported by access to resources in Prishtinë, Shkodër, and Skopje. The program culminates in showcases at Rezidenca 17, Art House, and Kontrapunkt, providing exposure and opportunities for feedback and collaboration. Shtatëmbëdhjetë hosts visual artists at Rezidenca 17, while Kontrapunkt focuses on cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary work. Art House welcomes audio-visual artists, filmmakers, researchers, curators, and writers, offering mentoring and access to studio spaces. The program aims to stimulate critical cultural practices, foster collaboration, challenge institutional setups, and promote socio-political change through artistic practices.
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The program of Rezidenca 17 is implemented in cooperation with Municipality of Prishtina and AICS Tirana in the framework of “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), a project funded by the European Union that aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.
Supported by: SMART Balkans#SMARTBalkansProject #SupportedbyNorway#RegionalGrant#CPCDba#IDM#CRPM
European Union in Kosovo, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
#CC4WBs, #CCI#culture, #EU, #art, #creativeindustries, #creativity, #media, #genderequality #WesternBalkans
