SAMKURA [English Shamrock, Gaelic Seamróg ]IRELAND, GREECE, PORTUGAL3RD Countries; GEORGIA and ARMENIAProject Concept:SAMKURA is the name for a small earth covering plant which has a leaf composed of a stem and three interconnected leaflets. The name in its Georgian form suggests the image of "three ears connected together."SAMKURA visualises the co-operation of a constellation of cultures (Ireland, Greece and Portugal) represented by the three leaves or 'ears', whose stem is represented by Georgia and Armenia. SAMKURA is a trans-European art and culture exchange linking European limits. SAMKURA creates the conditions for understanding contemporary art as a language of cross-cultural communication. Research, development and dissemination of new art works will take place in a context of a thematic artistic exchange focusing on cultural and linguistic specificity.The lead organization Cló will be responsible for providing the practical support for the production of art works in the context of an artist-in-residence program that will take place in Ireland, Portugal and Georgia. Cló invite a leading institution for contemporary Art in Greece to support the professional development of SAMKURA through sponsoring an international forum that will provide the curatorial structure for an exhibition and publication in Georgia and Armenia.Participating artists will be selected through agreement of the co-partners and will be drawn from all 5 participating countries with a minimum of 4 participants from each of the participating EU states with 4 from the combined ENP countries (Armenia and Georgia)The structure of SAMKURA provides for:1. Thematic research and exchange. (Forum)2. Practical development of art works. (International artist-in-residence programme)3. Dessimination through documentation and audience participation (Publication and exhibition in selected 3rd countries)