Artist-in-residence programmes are well-known means for artists and curators to refresh, reset or deepen artistic ideas. Residential art institutes can enrich their international collaboration, partly because residents often return to participate in an exhibition. Over the last two decades, the programmes consequently have grown enormously in popularity. Cultural networks as Trans Artists and Res Artis list some 1,500 international exchange opportunities on their websites.

The publication Basel-Rotterdam Rotterdam-Basel reflects critically on ten years of cultural exchange between iaab in Basel and the artists' initiative Kaus Australis in Rotterdam with three contemplative texts on fellowships, artistic exchange and the ingredients necessary for organizing artists' residencies, and an overview of the participants and their work.The result is a graphic feat of 23 posters by the artists and curators. It can be taken apart and transformed into a mountable 'ready-made' exhibition of original art works in a limited edition. Participating artists and curators are Annina Zimmermann, Hinrich Sachs, Sibylle Feucht, Marco Schuler, Martin Heldstab, Melanie Ohnemus, Karin Suter, Karin Hueber, Bernhard Bretz, Edit Oderbolz, Annegret Eisele, Nadja Solari, Isabella Gerstner Bert Frings, Eylem Aladogan, Fucking Good Art, Kristof van Gestel, Ine Lamers, Frank Konincks, Sandro Setola, Hidde van Schie, Ana Fernandez and Esmé Valk. Language: Engilsh