The venue is a 17th Century house in Celerina, a village in the Engadin Valley. This area of the Swiss Alps has long been a source of inspiration for writers, poets, artists, architects, musicians and philosophers. These include: Gerhard Richter, Carl Andre, Richard Long, Otto Dix, Friedrich Nietzsche, Vaslav Nijinsky, Thomas Mann, Giovanni Segantini, Alberto Giacometti, Herbert von Karajan, Norma
n Foster, Peter Zumthor and Le Corbusier. In addition to this, there are a number of world-class international galleries in the Engadin, as well as frequently visiting curators, artists, architects, collectors and writers. The purpose of the residency is to continue in this global, creative tradition by inviting young and emerging visual artists. The artists are encouraged to: both take and give back to the community; engage with the rich local history; and be inspired by the picturesque scenery. The Engadin is famous for its spectacular natural beauty, and the outdoors allows the artists to have large work-spaces. The focus is for the artists to use this chance to explore new directions in their work, which is crucial to their development at this early stage of their careers. Lendi Projects is not-for-profit, so the artists do not feel pressure to create work that is commercial. The program is ambitious, experimental and discerning – nurturing artists and introducing them to a network of art professionals, all within a magnificent setting.
