Call for Artists: Connector, Port of San Diego Public Art

Deadline: January 15, 2013 (ONLINE)


Call for Artists
Connector
The Port of San Diego Public Art Office
San Diego, California
June/July 2014 (First Site Installation)




Connector is a new Port of San Diego (Port) public art project designed to encourage artistic investigation of Port tidelands in the development of a temporary large-scale artwork that will travel to locations on tidelands in San Diego, National City, Coronado, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach. The selected artist or artist team will create a dynamic, transportable artwork that transforms five unassuming spaces on tidelands in an imaginative and unexpected way.

ELIGIBILITY
This Call for Artists is open to professional, practicing artists in the United States and artists who currently hold proper visas allowing them to work in the United States. Proof of visa/work permit documentation may be requested for verification.

PROJECT GOALS
The goals of the Connector project are to encourage artistic investigation of the tidelands in the development of a large-scale, site-specific public artwork that:
• Is artistically compelling both aesthetically and conceptually;
• Exemplifies a dynamic approach to public space and human engagement;
• Transforms, adds to, or is fundamentally ensconced in unassuming spaces in the District’s five member cities in imaginative and unexpected ways;
• Is transportable and durable to withstand travel to multiple locations on the tidelands; and
• Creates connections and a series of evolving experiences along the tidelands, in support of the “public” public art creative direction.

ARTWORK OPPORTUNITY (truncated)
The artist selected for the commission will collaborate with the Port on the conceptualization and realization of the artwork.

The artwork should be artistically compelling both aesthetically and conceptually with high visual impact. Through a dynamic approach to public space and human engagement, the artist will transform multiple tidelands environmental settings into new visual experiences that engage a broad audience in their daily lives. The artwork will translate into a series of evolving experiences that re-imagine the urban and related tidelands environs. Artists whose visual art practices include spatial inventions and/or installations are strongly encouraged to apply.

A specific site in each of the Port’s five member cities will be determined during the artwork development phase through a collaborative investigation of the tidelands by the artist and the Public Art Office. Examples of potential areas may include shoreline parks, buildings, infrastructure, and promenades.

The artwork will be on public view approximately fifteen months (three months in each member city). Artists will be expected to retrieve all components at the end of the project and may keep any materials purchased and/or fabricated as part of the commission budget and incorporated into the temporary artwork.

BUDGET
The selected artist will receive a $275,000 budget to conceive and realize their artwork, including concept and design development, fabrication as well as installation and de-installation at multiple sites. The budget is all inclusive and must cover all costs.


Download the Call for Artists: http://www.portofsandiego.org/environment/committee/doc_download/4747-call-for-artists-connector.html


QUESTIONS
Please submit questions in writing to the Public Art Office at callsforartists@portofsandiego.org. If questions lead to an addendum to this Call for Artists, the addendum will be posted on the Port’s website at www.portofsandiego.org/public-art/browse-callsfor-artists


WEBSITE RESOURCES
PORT OF SAN DIEGO: www.portofsandiego.org; www.portofsandiego.org/maritime
THE BIG BAY: www.thebigbay.com