Our project INVISIBLE BOUNDARIES focuses on the rich diversity of communities that call England their home and explores what they have contributed to the country of their adoption as well the efforts made by England to offer them the embrace of equal opportunity and democratic living.
Invisible Boundaries will include the celebration of the 175 years of Arboretum Park, in Normanton, Derby, which is the first publicly owned, landscaped, urban, recreational park in England. It was donated to Derby town in 1840 by Joseph Strutt, former mayor of Derby, philanthropist and member of a prominent local family of industrialists. His intention was to give the workers from the industrial population of Derby a free natural outside space for relaxation which until then had only been available to the rich and families of nobility. This unprecedented act was, in effect, the removing of an invisible socio-economic boundary at a time in the mid-19th century that saw England wake up to a dawn of a turbulent period in its history, making it the strongest colonial power on earth, marking several visible and invisible boundaries globally. The Arboretum in Derby is listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The Arboretum, as a secular public space of heritage value, freely available to all citizens, is thus symbolic of boundaries that have been abolished – visible and invisible.
Project Aim
The overall project, Invisible Boundaries, has two aims – artistic and public education. The project has a strong underlying theme of being good neighbours, the idea of neighbourhood, and of giving back to the community. The artistic side of the project will result in the creation of Sculptures celebrating the Arboretum Park and its history. Artcore will implement this project from July 2015, enabling varied audiences to engage in it through different entry points, such as sculpture workshops in the park, scheduled visits of school students and art students from art schools to watch the sculptors at work in the Park followed by interactive sessions with sculptors about their works, talks by local historians about the existing sculptures in the Park and their significance, and a gala event in September 2015 that would mark the175th year of the Park. The Heritage side of the project will concentrate on activities that will highlight the wonderful heritage of the Arboretum – botanical, historical, and architectural, highlighting the heritage of cultural change that has taken place in and around the Arboretum.
Artcore focuses attention on the Arboretum Park with a continuous high profile event of Sculpture–making through a Sculptor Residency Programme. This is the artistic aim of the project. Artcore invites sculptors from Derby and neighbouring counties to work on their Sculptures (temporary) in the Park. The idea is to work with established as well as upcoming artists. The project offers opportunities to talented contemporary sculptors to create sculptures that are installed in the Arboretum on a temporary basis. The work by the sculptors can be inspired by the Park itself, looking at its trees, wildlife or landscape or by the people who visit the park. The title Invisible Boundaries may also provide inspiration or ideas. Work can be of any mediums (self-perishable or temporary) consideration should be paid towards the practical challenges of installation and assembling of work.
Brief
Artcore invites proposals from interested artists to design and create a sculpture to celebrate the Arboretum Park. The proposal should include a detailed note on how the idea of Invisible Communities will be integrated into a celebration of the Arboretum Park’s 175th anniversary. The finished artwork/sculpture should be able to engage visitors to the Park during the Residency and an artist talk.
6 Artist Residencies:
There will be an opportunity for 6 regional sculptors to get involved in this project.
Process: Stage 1
The artists will send in the proposals that will include the following documents:
- A letter indicating their desire to participate in the project as per the aim of the project and the brief given above.
- A detailed note on how their sculpture design will incorporate the idea of Invisible Communities, integrated into a celebration of the Arboretum Park’s 175th
- The sculpture designs will be presented on two sides of an A-4 size paper. The size of the sculpture and the medium in which the sculpture will be executed will be mentioned on the same paper.
- A detailed CV of the artist and 3-4 images of artworks already executed by the artist, preferably for public projects.
- A proof of public liability insurance.
- A CRB check.
Participation in the Process indicates that the artist has read this document carefully and agrees to abide by its rules and regulations.
Selection Criteria
Each application will be scored against the following criteria:
- Concept and potential design ideas vis-à-vis the brief
- Relevant experience of artist
- The possibility of finishing the sculpture by September 12, 2015
Designs for sculpture will be selected by the jury appointed by Artcore.
This opportunity will include:
- Artists’ bursary £800.00 towards the design, creation and installation of the sculpture. The expense towards materials used for the artwork, and for equipment hiring (if necessary) in the creation of the artwork will be paid for by the artist from within this budget.
- Exhibition of work along with other contemporary sculptors at the Arboretum Park during the 175th anniversary celebrations.
- Opportunity to deliver community and participatory workshops
- Artist talks
Deadlines:
The proposals have to be submitted to Artcore by email – info@artcoreuk.com or regular mail so as to reach Artcore’s office (address below) by 4 pm on Friday, July 31, 2015.
Artcore
3 Charnwood street
Derby DE1 2GT
Please mark “Invisible Boundaries Art Project 2015 Proposal” in the subject heading of the email/ envelope.
Further information about this brief or to have a discussion about your ideas please contact Ruchita Shaikh via e-mail (info@artcoreuk.com) or by telephone: 01332384561