Presentation of the 2024 program by the participating artists in April 2025.

    About
Artist in Residency program onboard sailing vessel Light Observatory #7. Led by interdisciplinary artist and skipper Natali Blugerman.

July 2024 will be the official launching of the full program, which will be organised over several weeks and different thematics. The aim is to create an experience where artists can immerse themselves into the maritime environment and experiment with it. 


The different programs will be learning catalysts through hands-on exploration and the sharing of discoveries. Every week there will be a different residency with up to four different participants. At different times there will be special guests that will teach specifics about that week program’s topic. The sailing locations will also be related to the theme.At the end of each season we will host a presentation at a location in The Hague where the AiR participants will be able to share their developed results.


The Skipper
Natali Blugerman is an Argentinian-Dutch multidisciplinary artist and skipper based in The Hague, The Netherlands. 

Her practice is based on the research and experimentation of the senses, vision in particular. Her main interest is the combination of light and the process of how images create in the brain.  

A big part of her works are contemplated in her Light Observatory series, and her sailboat is a part of it as well. A few years ago she immersed herself into the nautical world to follow a dream she has had since she was a young child: to cross the ocean by sailboat. She has been since then refitting her ship and learning as much as she can about it, to prepare herself for the big seas. 


The Sailboat
Light Observatory #7 is a Beneteau Oceanis 321 sailing yacht built in 1996. This well-balanced cruiser is appreciated for its conduct, sailing performance, and comfort. It features three double berths (bedrooms) and two saloon sofas that can also serve as beds. The yacht includes a galley (kitchen) and a head (bathroom). While the sitting areas are spacious, the narrow corridors require a bit of a ‘boat dance’.

Participants should bring their own sleeping bags and be open to sharing a berth if needed. Life aboard is a communal activity, where we’ll coordinate and collaborate on daily tasks like sailing and cooking. Fresh water and electricity are scarce resources onboard, so everyone is encouraged to be mindful of their usage. The water tank will be refilled whenever we stay at a marina—an opportunity for a proper shower. On other days, participants can enjoy a “wild” open-air shower at the back of the boat, using the surrounding water.

Program 2025
We’re excited to share that the 2025 artist-in-residency program is currently in the works! Stay tuned for more updates—we can’t wait to unveil what’s coming next!    


Application
Artists who want to participate are welcome to apply by writing an email with a motivation letter stating their drive and the project that they would like to develop while aboard. The selection will be based on how closely each applicant's artistic profile relates to the week’s theme and how they plan to develop their projects while onboard. It will also be important to select the participants in a way that a diverse, interesting and harmonic group of people is created.

Please take into consideration the limited space aboard when you prepare the research and development plan of your project. Some options would be to collect samples, make sketches, and work on experiments while we are ashore. The contribution includes the program, three plant based meals a day and simple shared accommodation aboard.










© Natali Blugerman
Light Observatory #7
Supported by Stroom Den Haag

2024