Download the call for entries for Art Shanty Projects 2008 season, January 19th -February 23, 2008 now.
Call for entries (PDF)
For more information or questions write to info@artshantyprojects.org.
The deadline for submissions is October 5, 2007.
There will be two informational meetings at the Soap Factory.
Sunday Sept. 9th at 10am
Tuesday Sept 11th at 7pm.
thanks
Here is the call to read:
The Soap Factory’s Art Shanty Projects 2008
www.artshantyprojects.org www.soapfactory.org
Call for Submissions
Open invitation for the Fifth Art Shanty Projects:
Seeking visual artists, musicians, composers, media artists, architects, poets, scientists, dancer/choreographers, writers, builders, fisher-people, outdoors-people, naturalists, puppeteers, set designers, vocalists, spoken word artists, craftspeople, storytellers, actors, playwrights, etc. interested in participating in the design and construction of ice fishing shanty-like structures, producing projects, art, events and shows on frozen Medicine Lake in Plymouth, MN during January and February 2008.
Background:
The environment in Minnesota is challenging; cold being the harshest. The desire to get out of the house requires significant amounts of energy and creativity. Lakes are an often-used medium for recreational activity in Minnesota; winter does not stop this use, but transforms it. One of these uses; ice fishing is a popular winter activity in Minnesota and indeed throughout the world, people often fish from a structure commonly known as an ice fishing house, shelter, shack or shanty. The absence of codes and building restrictions cultivate diversity and uniqueness, from portable commercially made shelters to homemade plywood boxes to deluxe fish houses approximating the comfort of home. The architectural common denominator is a trapdoor in the floor allowing access to a hole drilled in the ice with a hand or gas powered auger. Make shift communities position themselves over the best fishing spots. Deep in winter, the lake ice can get to be 2-3 feet thick, more than enough to support trucks and cars. The season begins when the ice is thick enough to support the weight (around the middle of December) to the last day of February, officially the end of the season.
Last year was the fourth and to date biggest Art Shanty Projects organized by David Pitman and Peter Haakon Thompson as a program of The Soap Factory in Minneapolis, some 65 artists built Shanties, performed, created sculptures and interacted with the public. Over 3000 visitors braved the artic chill as temperatures ranged from –12 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit to interact with artists and shanties, see Art Cars and participate in activities from boggle to knitting to karaoke. The show received extensive media coverage, bringing a large and diverse audience including lake residents, ice fishers, suburbanites, city dwellers, artists and snow-mobilers.
Art Shanty Projects 2008 www.artshantyprojects.org www.soapfactory.org
Mission
Art Shanty Projects is an artist driven temporary community exploring the ways in which the relatively unregulated public space of the frozen lake can be used as a new and challenging artistic environment to expand notions of what art can be.
Artistic Goals
The project provides a unique opportunity for artists to interact with their audience, and vice versa, in an un-intimidating, non-gallery like environment. Artists can choose to work in a way that directly engages the audience i.e. knitting or singing Karaoke or in a more passive way.
The focus of this project is on both process and quality of artistic product:
• Artists creating projects that push them and engage the audience.
• The project management providing a flexible structure to work, allowing for the development and realization of an artist’s idea.
• Smart growth, the project must self-govern to respect the environment of the lake and the community of fisher-people that already exists, we are bringing a new use to a place that already has an established relationship with its’ patrons.
• Audience engagement is essential to the success of the experience, for both artist and audience.
The project runs for 5 weeks, with weekends the most heavily attended by the public. Staffing your project during the weekend and focusing interaction with the audience during these times is encouraged and should be addressed in your proposal.
Values
We value respect for the frozen lake community of which we are a part.
We value respect for the environment.
We value artists’ work and strive to pay them a fair wage.
We expand the definition of who is an artist.
We value the importance of artist and community interaction.
We expand notions of what art is and can be.
We believe in the value of artists and art in all communities.
Art Shanty Projects 2008 www.artshantyprojects.org www.soapfactory.org
Residencies:
This year we plan to offer 20 Residencies of $700 for construction of shanties and projects. These are intended for artists to build a shanty and spend a significant portion of time on the ice.
Performance:
We also plan to program weekend performances. Another separate call will go out in a few weeks detailing this process.
Timeline:
Informational Meetings for Applicants at The Soap Factory:
September 9th 10am
September 11th 7pm
October 5th: Deadline for Receipt of Proposals
October 17h: Notification of Accepted Proposals
October TBD: Meeting for Participants
October-December: Construction of Art Shanties
January 19th, 2007: Opening of Art Shanty Projects on Medicine Lake
February 23rd:Closing of Art Shanty Projects
Materials to submit:
1. Written description of idea; what is your shanty and what interaction/activity will take place in tandem with it. Address the artistic goals listed above (no more than one page)
2. Relevant visual supporting material (drawings of proposed shanty) and any other materials that will help the jury understand your proposal.
3. Application Form
Proposal Guidelines:
1. How does the proposal fit the artistic goals of Art Shanty Projects.
2. The Hennepin County Water Patrol requires everything to have walls (be a structure) If you have questions about this, contact us.
3. Leave No Trace. We leave only tracks on the lake. The lake is a quiet place, consequently generators are not allowed at any time. If you require power there are many options using deep cycle batteries, and even renewable methods to charge those batteries.
4. The main obstacle to working on the lake is the harsh environment, the lake is very windy, which places incredible strain and wear on structures. They must be built soundly out of durable materials. Although there are virtually no building codes on the lake, any small bits that come off your Shanty, will be covered by snow and consequently frozen in, rendering it litter. The design of your structure should take harsh environment into consideration.
5. Reflectors. One of the few codes involving structures on the ice is the placement of reflective material on all sides. This applies to any thing on the ice. Think of speeding cars and snowmobiles at night. Reflective tape works well on irregular structures.
See DNR requirements http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html
questions: Email info@artshantyprojects.org
Call David 612 669 0847, Peter 612 205 6710
Art Shanty 2007 Application due October 5, 2007
Art Shanty Projects 2008 www.artshantyprojects.org www.soapfactory.org
Application Form
Name (List all if a team):________________________________________________________
Address (List one address for team):______________________________________________
Primary Contact, Phone:_________________________ Email:________________________
Additional Phone Numbers: _______________________________ ___________________¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
___________________ ___________________ _________________________________
Email _______________________ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬______________________________________
____________________________ ______________________________________
E-Mail proposals to:
info@artshantyprojects.org
Tips:
1. Consider working in teams, there are many physical and logistical challenges which are much easier when working with others.
2. Think about open hours for your shanty, how will it be staffed.
3. How will your structure stand up to intense winds, is there anything on your structure that can fall off and be frozen in the ice.
4. Your Shanty must be easily moveable to avoid freezing to the ice. One common option is ‘skis’.
Selection:
Submissions will be juried by a 5 person jury.
Accepted artists notified by email by October 17th, 2007.
