Public Art Project: Transparent Seaford
Deadline: July 7, 2014, 5:00 pm
East Sussex Library and Information Service is seeking an experienced artist to create outdoor seating to be placed outside Seaford Library next to a busy bus stop.
Summary
Transparent combines three site specific public art commissions to contribute to the reconfiguration of three libraries in East Sussex. Two of the commissions will be on glass, the third (Seaford) revealed by glass. The three artists will be asked to share their creative process to achieve a transparency of intent. This method will be tested as a way of engaging the public and promoting the value of the work when each piece takes its place in the new libraries. The approach provides an alternative to the traditional public consultation route.
Transparent – Seaford
Seaford is a family friendly seaside town located on the South Coast between Brighton and Eastbourne and near Newhaven in the county of East Sussex.
Seaford Library will be a part of a new building called Warwick House which will be a shared facility comprising a day care centre for older people, supported accommodation for vulnerable adults, a café and the library. The commissioners are seeking an artist-designed seating area for outside of the building.
The functionality of the bench is essential as it is likely to be used by a high proportion of people with mobility challenges, so it is important to commission an artist with experience of street furniture design who can take these particular requirements into account.
Transparent process: sharing your working methods
To test a new model for engaging the public the successful artist will be asked to share their creative process with customers and the wider community. It is important that the creative process is Transparent in order to engage people and encourage an affinity with the final results. Applicants will be expected to propose ways to achieve this transparency to complement their own strengths. This element may inform the final design but that will not be a condition of the process.
Submission Required:
- Up to five images of previous work you have undertaken which you think will be relevant to the panel
- Artist's statement of no more than 500 words detailng previous experience, early thoughts on what might be created and ideas for sharing the creative process with the public
Please send to: [email protected]
Selection Process
The selection panel will be made up of library customers, elected members, members of our Youth Cabinet, members of the Seniors Association and arts specialists. Three artists will then be shortlisted and asked to work up a site-specific proposal for a fee of £500 each. These three proposals will then be considered by the selection panel, at this stage artists may be asked to come and meet the panel (Friday 19th). The artist will then be selected on that day.
The selected artist will be required to enter a contract with the contractor and will be required to hold Public Liability Insurance for £5million. The commission period will be from October 2014 to January 2015.
Budget
£15,000 to include materials, insurance, delivery to site, installation and “Transparent” process
Key Dates
- 4th of July 2014 Deadline for submissions
- 30th of July 2014 Short listing day
- 5th of September 2014 Deadline for site specific proposals
- 19th of September 2014 Final selection day (will include interview)
- February 2015 Installation
All enquiries to:
Sally Staples
Cultural Strategy Manager
County Hall
East Sussex County Council
St Anne's Crescent
BN7 1UE
01273 481871