(deadline 15th February 2021)
The Singer-Zahariev Foundation – a private family foundation being established to support contemporary art – is launching an Open Call reaching out to all artists in or from Bulgaria.
The site-specific artwork to be commissioned will be situated in a contemporary living space designed by I/O Architects in a rural location which – in addition to being a private residence – will also host art events and works from the Singer-Zahariev collection of contemporary art. The architectural and artistic concept seeks to achieve a symbiosis between modern architecture and contemporary art in a rural setting in the Balkan Mountains. The work will be situated in a small rectangular internal open courtyard measuring 4.2 sqm with a height of 3.3m (for details see technical specifications).
The artworks could encompass various media that relate to the space and its owners: multicultural, connecting East and West, tradition and modernity, conflict, and contemplation. We welcome applications from all visual artists working and encourage a diversity of media. The art piece(s) can be two or three-dimensional in any material, can be kinetic/capable of movement and may also use the entire space, including glass panels and concrete walls.
SELECTION PROCESS
The entries will be reviewed by an international selection panel (jury) composed of: Marianne Wagner-Simon, Curator and Director of the Freies Museum, Berlin; Luchezar Boyadjiev, Artist; and Kathrin Singer, Co-founder of the Singer-Zahariev Foundation.
The process will consist of two stages:
• In stage one, artists are invited to submit an expression of interest which includes initial thoughts on how they will approach the brief. These should be accompanied by drawings/sketches. The concept does not have to be fully worked through and articulated at this stage. We will use this stage to get a clear idea of applying artists’ styles, practice and experience. The selection panel will then shortlist up to five artists. Shortlisted artists will have the opportunity to make a site visit, after which they will develop and submit a detailed design proposal for the commission. Artists who submit a full proposal will each receive a BGN 200 fee.
• In stage two, the selection panel will review the full proposals* submitted by the shortlisted artists and will choose one artist to receive the commission.
* Full proposals should include:
– Not more than 10 images (drawings, sketches, digital visualisations) of the project.
– If available, a maquette (not obligatory).
– A brief description of the technical aspects of production, how the work is to be installed and any support or any access needs that might be required.
The winning entry, if selected for commission and production will receive an artist’s fee of:
2000 BGN
In addition, an agreed production budget will be provided.
You can submit your expression of interest online as a written document (ideally 1 PDF), or an audio / video recording (max 3 minutes). You may also include:
– A brief artist statement about your practice and what interests you about taking part in this exhibition (Max 500 words / 3 minutes).
– A link to your website or Instagram if you have one.
