medienfrische

The Tyrolean Bschlaber Valley lies at an altitude of 1,400 meters and is one of the most remote places in Austria. Today, fewer than 90 people live there, with an aging population and rural exodus taking their toll on the region. For the fifth time, medienfrische is taking place there over 21 days. medienfrische is a contemporary art and media festival that focuses on current developments. The landscape and the completely different way of organizing everyday life in the valley require new and unconventional ways of thinking and ideas, as well as a questioning of conventional ways of working and living.

we offer
The residence in a secluded high valley encourages visitors to linger, rethink, and experiment. The Bschlaber Valley serves as a laboratory and workshop. Accommodation and meals are provided for the duration of the stay. Workspaces, mentoring, and exhibition venues are also provided. In addition, medienfrische offers a varied program of concerts, lectures, film screenings, readings, and much more throughout the three weeks.

We are looking for
Artists, media artists, scientists, craftspeople, and students from all fields (digital media, architecture, music and sound, film, literature, visual and performing arts, land art, etc.) who want to engage experimentally with the theme, landscapes, and inhabitants of the high mountains are invited to apply. At the end of the stay, an artifact created on site should or may be presented to the village for safekeeping. Individuals of all nationalities and genders aged 18 and over are eligible to apply. We only award places to people who can stay for the entire duration of the residency.

Location and landscape
The picturesque Bschlaber Valley with its village of Boden is located in the Tyrolean district of Reutte in Austria. There are alpine meadows, empty buildings, a fire station, a soccer field, two churches, living quarters, hay barns, etc. available for projects. The allocation of work locations and accommodation is done in cooperation with the participants and may change during the course of the stay.

topic
WALK TO STAY
When you live in a small place like Boden, at least once in your life you ask yourself whether you should stay or go. It is a serious question that will have a decisive impact on your life: SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
Walking doesn't just mean testing the ground I live on; it also means reading the territory around me with my body. Walking, leaving, going down a path also means changing my point of view, leaving my safe position, crossing boundaries, exploring new territory, reinventing myself and my environment step by step. The rebellion begins as a walk.
In the fleeting act of walking, I explore and change situations, spaces, and relationships I encounter; I cross boundaries of action. Walking as art is an example of a radical aesthetic that reflects on the most elementary physical technique of humans. The limping Oedipus (literally: swollen foot) solves the riddle of the four-legged sphinx, which animal can change its gait during the course of the day. Anthropos (the one who turns away) constantly rebuilds his motor base, using technical aids to reflect on and radically change his physical constitution, location, orientation, and thus his position in the world.
Can walking as an artistic practice open up a way for me to leave and yet remain in Boden? What possibilities do technological developments open up for people with disabilities to design new (performative) spaces for action? What future forms of collaborative play do new media offer for the ongoing exploration of the social and political nature of a secluded place like Boden?
Inspired by artistic practices and scientific research such as those of Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown, Janet Cardiff, Marina Abramović, Richard Long, Bruce Nauman, Rebecca Solnit, Walter Benjamin, the Dada excursion of 1921, the Situationist International, The Ministry of Silly Walks, etc., we are looking for contemporary, interdisciplinary projects and designs that open up a social future and space for play in an alpine mountain village like Boden, where I can decide to: WALK TO STAY.

arrival
Arrival must be on June 1, 2026. We recommend traveling to Imst. We can cover up to €100 per participant in travel expenses. medienfrische will take care of onward transportation from Imst or Reutte to the valley. We are happy to help with travel planning. It is also possible to travel with your own vehicle. For the duration of your stay, you will be provided with the Lechtal Card, which allows you to use public transport in the valley free of charge.

accommodation
There are a few single rooms, some double rooms, and shared rooms. We try to accommodate requests, but our options are limited.

submission deadline
until February 22, 2026
An independent jury of experts will decide on the invitations and, together with the medienfrische team, will allocate the available places in the accommodations in the best possible way.