The Residency program is open to artists, curators, designers and researchers working in the field of contemporary visual culture. A multidimensional approach to research and practice is encouraged by the ever changing circumstances.

Every edition is initiated by a thematical input which naturally transforms and evolves during the residents’ stay, according their own specific sensibility and needs. Usually it’s favorable to hold discussions, share ideas and suggestions in round tables and other forms of group exchanges, and coming with an open mind.

During the stay various activities are organised or spontaneously come to be, such as walks, workshops, happenings and events. Production is not mandatory, nor is the participation to any activities, yet it’s nice for the spirit of the residency. During the period of stay, the residents are granted a close curatorial support and visitors are welcomed to check out and even actively take part in some of the activities of the residency.

The program usually runs through the warm months, as in the case of Roccacaramanico for example, the snow could cover the whole town and render difficult working. The stay in usual circumstances is 5 to 10 consecutive days or else shorter visits spread in time.

Due to the ever changing and ever evolving nature of the organisation, and given the ever transforming circumstances surrounding the town of Roccacaramanico, the residency editions are very different from each other, and could even take place in a different place than the mountain town of Roccacaramanico, or have completely different characteristics. Here find general information that somewhat apply to any iteration of the program. It’s best to consult Open Calls and Notices for specific information.

History

Un paese tutto per lei was the original name of the Residency program, coming from an article found on the book “Roccacaramanico Anni 80”, about the last inhabitant of the town, Angiolina, after the phenomenon of mass depopulation which left the town almost completely uninhabited. Angiolina achieved notoriety after being interviewed by Italian singer and pop culture icon Raffaella Carrà, while wearing an Armani dress.

Angiolina has since left us (and sadly so has Raffaella) and Roccacaramanico has seen a constant growing wave of repopulation ever since the 80’s. From a farmers’ village and later ghost town, now it’s transforming into a tourist village and this poses interesting implications to further investigate.

In 2018, Andrea Croce founded the first edition of Unpae (a contracted version of the latter name) and gave accomodation to artists in his own family home: a place filled with family memories and objects collected over the years. Antiques and all sorts of mobile structures, mixed with “mountain kitsch” decorations give a unique character to the house, which still hosts the residents.

Roccacaramanico stands at the foot of the two mountains Monte Amaro and Morrone, surrounded by forest and wild animals, inside the Majella National Park in Abruzzo. It is known for being an extremely snowy place in the winter. Within it there are several iconic places, the “Roccione” (a great rock), an abandoned Cemetery, “Piazza Callarone” (the main square), the Ethnographic Museum and several drinking fountains and springs. It is easy to create one’s own geography by discovering new hidden places. The town is so small that it doesn’t have any shops, apart from one recently opened restaurant.

Music & DJ sets

• Enrico Viani
• Zoé Couppe + Maria Chiara (Machi) Ziosi
• Daniele Di Girolamo
• Davide Grotta
• Filippo Rabottini + Marco Farese + Elena Cacciagrano

Workshops

• Carla Trivellone: Ceramics workshop
• Valentina Colella: Performance workshop