a one-week critical intensive for contemporary artists seeking rigorous feedback, deeper critical engagement, and clearer positioning within the contemporary art field. designed for artists at various stages of their careers, combining intensive one-on-one meetings, group critiques, and informal discussions with artists, curators, and cultural practitioners from the mot+++ and a.farm communities.
the program will take place on august 22 through 28. the deadline for application is july 30.
total cost: usd 3,000 per artist. includes seven nights accommodation, daily breakfasts and dinners, and all program activities.
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david willis is a writer, curator, and art advisor who splits his time between new york, lisbon, and ho chi minh city. he holds an mfa in art criticism and writing from the school of visual arts and a ba in cultural anthropology from columbia university. after launching his career at galleries such as gagosian and pace in new york city, he spent a decade in vietnam and thailand, developing a specialization in southeast asian contemporary art. his writing has been published by numerous respected outlets including the brooklyn rail, art asia pacific, art & market, art basel stories, and umbigo magazine. david served as the original curator of a.farm when it was founded in 2018, and later returned as a curator resident in 2024 with the sponsorship of the aura art foundation. he continues to collaborate with mot+++ & a.farm as a curator on various projects and initiatives.
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a.farm was founded in 2018 as a collaboration between sàn art, mot+++, and the nguyễn art foundation. it is now administered exclusively by mot+++, one of the top avant-garde art organizations in saigon (ho chi minh city) over the past decade. working with a.farm provides participants exclusive access to many of saigon's leading artists, collectors, and art professionals.
participants will stay at amanaki thao dien hotel, a contemporary boutique hotel located in thao dien, one of ho chi minh city's most vibrant and internationally connected neighborhoods. the hotel offers luxurious accommodation with a swimming pool, fitness facilities, wellness amenities, and easy access to cafés, restaurants, galleries, and cultural spaces. located approximately twenty minutes from central ho chi minh city, thao dien has become home to a mixed community of expats and wealthy vietnamese professionals — a calm residential atmosphere with close proximity to the city's leading contemporary art spaces. seven nights accommodation, daily breakfast, and daily dinner are included in the program fee.
the core of the program takes place over four intensive working days. each morning, two participants receive individual one-hour consultations with david willis, covering current work, portfolio development, artist statements, exhibition strategies, and long-term professional goals. each afternoon, two artists participate in extended group critiques (~90 minutes each), involving all participants, invited artists, and guest contributors. by the end of day 5, all eight participants will have received both an individual consultation and a dedicated group critique. each evening concludes with a communal dinner shared with members of the mot+++ and a.farm artist community.
apply nowday-by-day program
topics may include:
- — critical discussion of current work
- — portfolio design optimisation
- — artist statements and text editing
- — identifying strengths, weaknesses, and recurring concerns within a practice
- — pricing artworks and building a sustainable studio practice
- — strategies for working with galleries and curators
- — exhibition installation & framing strategies, both literal and figurative
- — advice regarding residencies and international opportunities
- — future directions, professional positioning and career development
- — prevalent trends and issues within contemporary art discourse
included
- — seven nights accommodation at amanaki thao dien hotel
- — daily breakfast
- — daily dinner
- — individual consultations with david willis
- — group critiques and discussions
- — studio visits, gallery visits, and cultural excursions
- — community dinners and events
- — all program activities
not included
- — international or domestic flights
- — visa fees
- — travel insurance
- — lunches
- — personal expenses
apply
applications are now open. maximum 8 artists. program fee: usd 3,000.
the deadline for application is july 30.
for questions about the retreat, contact us at afarm@motplusplusplus.com
the a.farm saigon artist intensive is envisioned as an annual program. future editions may take different forms, involve different guest contributors, or focus on particular themes. each edition will remain committed to serious critical dialogue, professional development, and meaningful exchange between artists.