White Rabbit Artist Call 2015
Type
Residency
Category
Activism, Architecture, Conceptual, Design, Drawin...
Status
Archived
Deadline
March 31, 2015
Application Fee
Not Available
Host
Red Clay ARTS White Rabbit ARTS
Location
Upper Economy, Nova Scotia, Canada

WHITE RABBIT ARTS: SUMMER 2015 PROGRAMMING


 


The Red Clay Studio Society is pleased to invite proposals for two programs for the 2015 summer season as part of the White Rabbit Open Air Art project.


 


2015 marks the 7th annual White Rabbit, a residency and festival that encourages artists to push the boundaries of their practice collaboratively and individually in response to the unique Bay of Fundy landscape. In addition to our annual call for residency participants, we are seeking proposals from professional artists for a new program called the Ballast Projects.


 


BIGGER/smaller


 


The theme for White Rabbit 2015 is BIGGER/smaller.  This theme was chosen for its range of interpretation and for its ability to connect with the landscape, each other and to the core of each individual practice. BIGGER/smaller is a tool to grow, shape and transform; to gauge the magnitude of discoveries, the subtlety of aspirations, the absurdity/importance of the fantastic and the limits of our contemporary paradigms.



The theme alludes to Alice’s experience in Wonderland, her willingness to grow (or shrink as the case may be) and the myth of the White Rabbit. Acts, operations and questions of bigger and smaller evoke curiosity, the pursuit of ideas, shifting of perspectives and departures into new frontiers. Like the White Rabbit itself, the residency is first and foremost an invitation.


 


When adopting a theme, a locus of thought is established. The work need not conform rigidly to this theme. Indeed, the relationship can be a leap of the imagination where we have to work to understand how and why it conforms. Alternatively, the association can be more literal or interpretive. In any case, the theme is there and a relationship to the theme is required.







WHITE RABBIT: OPEN AIR ARTS RESIDENCY // August 7th - 16th


White Rabbit is a 10-day artist residency in which emerging and established artists set up camp at the beautiful Red Clay Farm to practice, create and collaborate. The residency culminates in a public festival for the performance and exhibition of individual and collaborative works that have emerged over the course of the week.


The residency is an immersive outdoor experience. We encourage artists from a broad range of disciplines (textiles, dance, theatre, ceramics, paint, poetry, philosophy, words, audio, documentary, film, performance, music, you-name-it!) to push the boundaries of their practice, and work together to create the environment that is formed collaboratively and individually in response to the unique landscape. In addition to working on individual projects, residents have opportunities to participate in peer-to-peer learning, workshops, presentations, and collaborative projects.


When: Aug 7th – Aug 16th
Where: Red Clay Farm, Upper Economy, Nova Scotia
Fee: $365.  Bursaries available pending confirmation of funding.


The 10-day residency includes workshops and presentations by senior artists, field trips, use of site facilities, all meals, and accommodation (camping or lofts). White Rabbit seeks to achieve culinary excellence: our wine-glass-in-the-woods dining features fresh food from Red Clay Farm prepared by experienced and dedicated chefs on-site.


Interested artists should submit the following by April 1st, 2015:


1. A brief description (max 1 page) of your proposed project while at White Rabbit and how it responds to this years theme BIGGER/smaller. Please include ideas/concepts you will be exploring, materials and any tools that you will need. We encourage projects that are harmonious with the environment, therefore please specify and justify the proposed use of any unnatural materials.


2. A brief artist statement/bio including your current place of residence, previous work and media (max 1 page).


Submissions should be sent by email to whiterabbitarts@gmail.com (subject line: residency application 2015)


BALLAST PROJECTS // July 27th - August 16th


 


In previous years, White Rabbit invited senior mentor artists to help facilitate the residency and to offer artist talks, workshops and support to residency participants. In 2015, instead of our mentorship program, we invite proposals for a limited number of positions for what we refer to as Ballast Projects. A ballast is the heavy material used in the bottom of a ship or structure to provide stability. In a similar fashion, we offer our support to the Ballast Projects in order to provide sealegs and structure for our community and participating artists.  


 


Artists selected for this role will, to some extent, assume the role of mentors, but more importantly, will over an extended period, conceptualize and develop their own projects. We will seek established professional artists with a history of working collaboratively.


 


Ballast Projects will invite community participation, and may incorporate a scope that showcases the collective power of many hands. The artists will be expected to contribute to the dynamics of the residency by offering their work and engaging in critical dialogue, workshops and/or general whimsy. Peer-to-peer learning is a key feature of the White Rabbit philosophy.


 


Ballast Projects will address the theme, respond to the landscape, and should engage White Rabbit residents, the local community and festival goers. The projects will be completed during a two-and-a-half-week residency at Red Clay and be presented at the White Rabbit Arts Festival on August 15th/16th.


 


Resources that may be incorporated into the Ballast Projects include but are not limited to:




Bay of Fundy - extreme tides, changing landscape




Forest, creek, meadows and natural clay deposits (both red and blue)




3 on-site ponds




Portable sawmill and woodworking tools




Micro-radio broadcasting equipment with 4km radius and streams online to our international community of alumni and supporters




Access to electricity (via extension cord)




Participating artists and volunteers




 


Proposals can be submitted as individuals or as a team.  


 


Project timeline
July 27th – Aug 16th  Red Clay, Upper Economy


Phase 1  - Sealegs: Artists arrive at Red Clay, explore the landscape and begin preliminary work on the Ballast Projects, laying the foundations for collaborative work in the second week. During this time, the small community of artists at Red Clay will be responsible for preparing and sharing meals, using ingredients harvested from the garden and provided in the Red Clay kitchen.


 


Phase 2  - Community Integration (August 7-14): The second phase of the Ballast Projects coincides with the White Rabbit residency. Ballast Projects should provide avenues for the involvement of this larger community of artists, and perhaps the artists and non-artists in the local community. In addition to producing their projects, the artists are expected to participate in the community that is formed on-site during this week, offer an artist talk or workshop for the group, and providing leadership and casual mentorship to residents as opportunities arise. Ballast Project artists will enjoy prepared meals during the residency period.


 


Phase 3 - Installation & Exhibition: Ballast Projects will culminate in a performance and/or installation that will be shared with the public during the White Rabbit Arts Festival, August 15-16th.


 


Submissions should include:




A project description, including timeline. Include an explanation of how the project:




(1) responds to the theme, BIGGER/smaller;


(2) will inhabit and relate to the landscape; and


(3) fosters participation, collaboration and community.




A detailed project budget, including materials and artist fees @$1500 Food and accommodation will be provided.




Bio(s) of artist(s)




 


DEADLINE: February 22nd, 2015


Email submissions to whiterabbitarts@gmail.com


(subject line: ballast project proposal 2015)