Fife Contemporary are inviting proposals from artists interested in experimenting with film and time-based media to visit and work as Artist in Residence in the St Andrews Botanic Garden from the 9th January – 24th March 2023.
At the end of this mini residency there will be opportunity to screen work in the new Bioscope pavilion. The Bioscope is an experiment: a place for art that responds to the biodiversity crisis with creativity, positivity and a clear environmental message. Designed and built by Marcos Cruz and Brenda Parker from the Bartlett School of Architecture, the Bioscope tests the limits of designing with nature, using Engineered Living Materials to make a building that is alive with microscopic biodiversity.
We hope this opportunity will encourage an artist to develop their practice with potential to explore new directions in film and time-based media with the creation of ecologically driven work.
As the garden transitions from showcasing traditional exhibitions of plant specimens, new ways of managing and monitoring populations of plants are unfolding. It is a living research and conservation experiment that investigates how plants compete, invade and support each other, and how communities assemble in response to their environment.
We hope this fertile ground will support the development of your work as you explore the 18-acres of garden, home to Fife’s most dynamic habitats and plants. You will be based within the Herbarium Seed Library with further opportunity to access the extensive collection of ecological books, as well as speak with the Garden’s Curator and Director.
What’s included?
This interdisciplinary project offers:
- 20 days access to St Andrews Botanic Gardens during the period January to March ‘23
- Opportunity to screen your work in the Bioscope
- Support to deliver a public event e.g., workshop or artist In Conversation event
- £2500 Artist Fee
- £500 Materials Allowance
- 20 days of Travel Allowance up to a maximum of £30 a day
Timeline
- Deadline by 12 noon, Monday 21st November 2022
- Online Interviews Monday 28th November 2022
- Artist Appointed by Thursday 1st December 2022
- Residency: 9th January until 24th March 2023
Please refer to the architectural drawing above to get an idea of the Bioscope’s scale. You are also welcome to look at the designer and builders Bio-ID Lab socials, as well as this video explaining details of their work at the CityX Venice Italian Pavillion.
How to apply
If you would prefer to submit your application either as an audio or video file, please ensure all questions below are answered and that your submission is no longer than 4 minutes. Please include:
- A Supporting Statement (500 words maximum), describing how your work might connect with the ecological themes of this project and how this opportunity would benefit the development of your practice.
- An up-to-date Artist CV.
- 6 Images*, or up to 3 minutes of video (Please note: we cannot accept physical works. Only digital files, or online portfolios will be accepted. Please include any URL links with passwords if required.)
- A completed ‘Equalities-Monitoring-Form_22-23’ form.
*Photos should be well-lit, clear, and easy to download, for example JPG or PNG files between 500kb and 3Mb. If your files are too large to include alongside your submission, please send files via WeTransfer or similar.
Please ensure you have included all of the above requested information and send to kate.bell@fcac.co.uk by Monday 21st November 2022.
