Wales – China Festival 2018: Wal Wen (White Wall) Commission
Pontio, Bangor
Pontio is seeking a visual or digital artist to create a large scale digital projection responding to the theme Wales-China.
Special screening(s) during festival: 16 - 18 February 2018.
Extended exhibition period: January – April 2018.
Fee: £1200 (to include all fees and expenses, including production costs).
Closing date for applications: 5pm Thursday 26 October 2017
Selectors: Dr Haili Ma, Senior Lecturer in Chinese and Dean of the Chinese College at Cardiff University; Karen MacKinnon, Director of Artes Mundi International Art Prize; and Sian Tomos, Director of Enterprise and Regeneration for the Arts Council of Wales.
BACKGROUND
Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre is a Bangor University development located at the heart of the city of Bangor. It is home to a mid-scale theatre, studio theatre, cinema, innovation laboratories, collaborative working spaces and lecture rooms, Students' Union offices, a bar and several food outlets. One of Pontio's aims is to create and present a high quality artistic programme, to include digital art.
This year, Pontio is launching a pilot project called ‘Wal Wen’ (White Wall) – a large scale digital art commission, to be projected onto Pontio’s vast white walls. The first commission will coincide with Pontio’s inaugural Wales – China Festival (16 – 18 February 2018) and will include additional elements detailed in the Brief below.
Wales – China Festival is an intercultural event to spark dialogue between Chinese and Welsh communities in Bangor and the surrounding area, and to explore the British East Asian experience, with a high-quality artistic programme covering literature, art, and languages of Wales and China. Through performance, poetry, music, film and workshops, this unique multi-disciplinary live event will coincide with the Chinese New Year in February 2018.
SELECTORS
Before Dr Haili Ma came to the UK in 1997, she was a member of the Shanghai Luwan All-Female Yue Opera Company, specializing in male roles in Chinese opera (Xiaosheng). She received her academic training in the UK and gaineda PhDfrom the School of Performance and Cultural Industries at Leeds University, with Research Distinction. Ma’s research focuses on the evolution of traditional artforms and the distinctive role of entrepreneur artistsin generating sustainable globaldevelopment. She has published widely in the area of arts,includingUrban Politics and Cultural Capital, the case of Chinese opera(2015Routledge). Ma is currentlySenior Lecturer in Chinese Studies and Dean of the Chinese College at Cardiff University.
Karen Mackinnon was appointed Director and Curator at Artes Mundi in 2013.She curated Artes Mundi 6 (2014)which was won by Theaster Gates. Since joining Artes Mundi MacKinnon has shaped a rich programme of expanded activity outside the prize including exhibitions, community projects and socially engaged commissions working in partnership with organisations in the UK and beyond. Recent high-profile commissions include Broomberg & Chanarin's Divine Violence with Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno and Bedwyr Williams’ Traw with 14:18 NOW which was projected onto Pontio’s external facade.
Sian Tomos is the Director of Enterprise and Regeneration for the Arts Council of Wales. The role involves balancing the artistic aims of the sector with the need to be resilient, innovative and collaborative – particularly around business models, skills and training and entrepreneurship. Having studied at the School of Art and Design in Coventry Sian took up a very successful career in public affairs and then joined the Arts Council of Wales on its inception in 1994 in order to return to her first passion which was the arts. She is currently responsible for a team which is working on a number of innovative arts partnerships and collaborations including a pioneering regeneration programme Ideas: People: Places that uses the arts and creativity as a means of improving the spaces where people live, work and play.
BRIEF
The Wal Wen (White Wall) provides the backdrop to Pontio’s main atrium space and can be viewed from multiple angles within the building – both from above and below. We are looking for a project that will exploit this space to its full potential and may include, but is not limited to moving image, AV, video, animation, interactive media etc.
Also situated within Pontio’s public spaces on the ground floor is a glass case and a 40” screen. The successful applicant will need to produce content for the case and screen to be exhibited from January – April 2018, providing a context for the large-scale projection which will be screened during the Festival (16 – 18 February 2018). As an example, the case could contain a curated selection of objects relating to the projection piece and the screen could display a series of digital images. After the large-scale projection has been screened during the festival in February, a suitable version will be added to the 40” screen and will be available to view until the exhibition comes to an end in April.
The work should respond to the theme Wales-China – and can be interpreted in whichever way the artist is inclined. We will accept work that has not been created specifically for this project, particularly if it explores the theme with integrity, although we expect that any existing work will have been reimagined or reinterpreted for this particular context so that it resonates with our audiences.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT:
· To provide opportunities for digital artists to exhibit work in Pontio
· To contribute to providing an exceptional environment which inspires communities and audiences to further engage with the arts
· To spark dialogue between Welsh and Chinese communities in North Wales
WE WILL GIVE PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION TO APPLICATIONS THAT:
· exploit the potential of Pontio’s ‘Wal Wen’ (White Wall)
· explore ideas and themes with integrity and authenticity
· give consideration to the Welsh language and languages spoken in China
· offer different cultural perspectives to world issues
EXPECTATIONS AND OUTCOMES:
We expect that the successful applicant will make a site visit to view the relevant spaces and to meet the Creative Coordinator of Public Spaces and the Technical Director. The project will need to be developed in close cooperation with the above members of staff and a project timeline and associated deadlines agreed. It will be necessary to keep in regular contact with the Creative Coordinator of Public Spaces to provide an update on progress. Outcomes should include:
· A large-scale projection up to 10 minutes long [see technical resources available overleaf]
· Adapted version of large–scale projection for 40” screen
· Objects to be displayed in glass case (50cm x 100cm x 180cm)
· Artistic content for 40” screen
SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES
The Creative Coordinator of Public Spaces will be the main point of contact and will be available to support the successful applicant. Technical advice can be sought from Pontio’s Technical Director. Our Marketing Team will promote the project across a variety of platforms, and will require content such as hi-res images and copy to support activity such as PR, social media, print and on and offline advertising. Pontio can also offer access to Bangor University’s translation service.
Projection - Location to be discussed, along with exact tech req.
1 x Christie Projector
Lens’
1 x Short throw zoom
1 x Mid throw zoom
1 x Long throw zoom
2 x NEC Projector
Lens’
1 x Short throw zoom
1 x Mid throw zoom
1 x Long throw zoom
1 x Media Server to feed 3 x projectors.
Cables
Sound Playback
1x PA (2 x Sub, 2 x HiMid)
1 x Mixer
1 x Playback
Cables according to location and requirements.
Power
To be discussed, according to location and requirements.
HOW TO APPLY?
An application should be made via e-mail and should include the following:
· A completed application form (see below)
· A current CV including relevant experience and skills
· A proposal that describes how you will respond to the theme Wales-China, how you will approach the various elements of the project, and how you will address the aims and particular considerations noted above. (No more than 500 words).
· Relevant visual material to support your proposal including examples of previous work (up to 8 images). Digital images should be saved as jpg files at 300dpi (each file no bigger than 2mb each). For AV/ moving images, please provide a link via Vimeo, Youtube, website etc. together with relevant passwords.
· Links to websites (up to 4 sites) which contain examples of your work.
· You are welcome to provide a letter of support, particularly if you are an early career artist.
Send your application by e-mail to Elen Bonner, Creative Coordinator of Public Spaces by 5pm Thursday 26 October 2017.
We will notify you if your application has been successful via e-mail by 7 November 2017. The decision taken by Pontio regarding eligibility, the selection of successful submissions and/or the amount and type of support to be provided is final. Pontio will not enter into correspondence about submissions that are not selected.
CONTACT DETAILS/ FURTHER INFORMATION:
Elen Bonner, Creative Coordinator of Public Spaces (Part-time):
01248 382813/
Pontio website: www.pontio.co.uk
APPLICATION FORM
You will be required to complete and return this application form by email to no later than: 5pm Thursday 26 October 2017
Application FormName of project applied for
Name
Address
Telephone number
Mobile number
E-mail address
Website or social media (if relevant)
Project
Project title
Summary of the proposal (maximum of 20 words)
Is the project suitable for a Welsh, English or bilingual audience? / Welsh / English / Bilingual