Commission opportunity with Soundlands
Soundlands is offering an opportunity for sound artists to create a new sound artwork.
Two successful artists will be selected to create an installation or performance for the city of Bangor, North Wales, and Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia. The works may be original or re-worked for the new context but must not have been previously shown in Wales in any form. They will be shown between June and July 2015.
Deadline for submission of concepts: 13 February 2015
- “I love the contrasting settings for the two commissions… Hectic Streetscape vs Majestic Landscape. Truly inspiring… so I recommend you propose a nifty idea for each site and see which one wins ! … Go for it … Explore your ideas, as Deadlines Rule… Press Go go. We look forward to finding out your thoughts…”
- “I think the Soundlands project is very interesting. Many people come to Cwm Idwal to enjoy the peace, but once you begin to ‘really’ listen, this mountainous area has all kinds of interesting sounds. I’m looking forward to hearing how the artists interpret the sounds in Cwm Idwal as well as those in nearby Bangor.”
Guto Roberts - “I am delighted to be a judge for Soundlands, which is a great sound art commissioning initiative. It’s always great seeing and hearing new work by artists, so I am looking forward to the selection process and then seeing the outcomes of the artists selected to make new installations.”
Ceri Hand - “I’m delighted to be involved in Soundlands, particularly because I was lucky enough to work with Bangor Sound City on a project in 2011. This is a brilliant opportunity for sound artists and I’m looking forward to seeing the proposals.”
Yann Seznec - "In 2012 I had the great experience of working with Soundlands and Bangor Sound City to present one of my Piano Transplants, Piano Burning, an event which was imaginatively organized and beautifully documented, so I am delighted to once again be working with Soundlands, this time as a selector. I am a composer and sound artist with a particular focus on natural environments and sites such as Soundlands proposes for two art-works, in Bangor and Cwm Idwal. Site-specific work is particularly valuable I feel, having the potential to make both artist and visitor deeply aware of a particular environment at a time when that sensitivity is crucial."
Annea Lockwood
Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia | © Michal Tekel
Cwm Idwal is a spectacular valley surrounded by some of the highest peaks and the most dramatic scenery in Snowdonia. It is a natural ice-sculpted amphitheatre filled with the cool waters of Llyn Idwal.
The cultural significance of the valley is exemplified in the fabled origins of its name, named in memory of Idwal, son of one of the ancient Princes of Gwynedd who according to legend, drowned in the lake.
Famous for its rock formations and its rare and fragile plant life, Cwm Idwal was Wales’ first National Nature Reserve and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Bangor
Bangor High Street
Bangor is an historic cathedral and university city full of character – a small coastal city with stunning panoramic views of the Menai Straits which can be enjoyed from Wales second longest pier. The cathedral has ancient roots and can be traced back to the 6th century. Its name derives from the wattle wall that was built around the religious site by Saint Deiniol. The University was founded as a direct result of a campaign in the late nineteenth century for higher education provision in Wales. An important feature of its foundation was the voluntary contributions made by local people, including farmers and quarrymen.
Bangor’s small population of seventeen thousand is seasonally swelled by over ten thousand university students. A retail sector is based in the city centre and the large housing estate of Maesgeirchen lies to the east. Ysbyty Gwyedd hospital an the Menai Suspension Bridge are notable landmarks on the outskirts of the city.
Financial Support and Resources
- Three concept proposals will be shortlisted for each commission with each shortlisted artist receiving a fee of £100 as contribution towards further development of their proposals.
- Two successful artists will each receive a commission fee of £1,000 with an additional budget available for design, production, materials, performance/installation costs and agreed expenses.
- Production support will be provided by Soundlands.
Schedule
- Deadline for initial proposals 13th February 2015
- Short-list announced: 27th February 2015
- Deadline for developed proposals: 7th April 2015
- Finalist announced: 17th April 2015
- Installation: 19th June – 31th July 2015
Documentation
Soundlands will document the creative process, production, installation and performance. Selected artists will agree to cooperate with this process and will be encouraged to actively participate in it.
Location
There will be two commissions, one in Bangor and the other in Cwm Idwal. The precise location of the final installations or performances will be agreed between the artist and Soundlands taking into account artistic and practical considerations. Additional considerations for each location include:
Bangor Commission
- The artwork must be located in Bangor, North Wales.
- The artwork must be located in a public space with high footfall.
- The artwork must not require continuous supervision or invigilation (if an installation-type proposal).
Cwm Idwal Commission
- The artwork must be located in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia.
- The artwork must not make any permanent change to the landscape or adversely affect local ecology.
- The artwork must not require continuous supervision or invigilation (if an installation-type proposal).
Suitabilty
This opportunity is suitable for an artist:
- whose work engages with any form of sound art
- who has an interest in site-specific work
- who has an interest in collaborating with Soundlands
- who has an interest in enhancing public engagement in public places through sound artworks
Eligibility
- You must be available to create, develop and install / perform the artwork during the period April – July 2015.
- You must not be a paid staff member of Datrys (Cwmni Datrys Cyf.), Soundlands, Bangor Sound City, National Trust, Snowdonia National Park Authority or Natural Resources Wales.
Duration
- Installation of artwork late June 2015, remaining in situ for one month minimum.
- Performance to take place late June 2015, with number of performances to be discussed.
How to apply
To apply please by send the following:
- Your name, address, mobile number + phone number (including country code if outside the UK) and email address.
- Your CV and worklist
- A biography of no more than 100 words.
- A proposal (two sides A4 or 1000 words maximum) showing:
- the work you would like to create as part of the commission
- how it will relate to its surroundings
- how audiences will experience the work
- Examples of your previous work. Please DO NOT send audio or visual files.
- You may provide clear & direct website links e.g. Soundcloud, Vimeo, your own website.
- email: post@soundlands.org (please type ‘BANGOR COMMISSION’ or ‘CWM IDWAL COMMISSION’ in the subject box).
- post: Soundlands Opportunity, Ciafaic, Watling Street, Llanrwst, LL26 0LS, Wales (please write ‘BANGOR COMMISSION’ or ‘CWM IDWAL COMMISSION’ clearly on the envelope).
Further Information
For further enquiries, please contact Sioned Davies: post@soundlands.org | +44 (0)1492 642291
Please note: We are initially requesting concept proposals, this means details and budgets are not required at this stage of the application.
About Soundlands
Soundlands is a not-for-profit project aiming to make positive contributions to the environs through the sound arts. Previous events include ‘Piano Transplants’ by Annea Lockwood (USA), ‘Singing Menai Bridge’ by Jodi Rose (Australia) and ‘Toriad’ by Manuel Rocha Iturbide (Mexico).
Acknowledgements
Soundlands is funded by Arts Council of Wales. Soundlands commission for Cwm Idwal is made in partnership with Cwm Idwal Partnership. Cwm Idwal photo used with kind permission by Michal Tekel www.tekelphoto.com – UK National Parks’ Winning Landscapes Photo Competition Winner.
