Soundlands in partnership with WWT and Migrations

Soundlands in partnership with Migrations and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is offering an opportunity for sound artists to create a new sound artwork.

The successful artist will create an installation for WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The work may be original or re-worked for the new context but must not have been previously exhibited in Wales in any form. It will be shown from 8 June 2019.

Deadline for submission of concepts: 1 December 2018

Location

The commission will be located at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The exact location of the final installation  will be agreed between the artist, Migrations, WWT and Soundlands taking into account artistic and practical considerations.

WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre

WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales is one of nine wetland nature reserves in the UK managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the leading global conservation organisation committed to the protection of wetlands and all that live in and around them.

Llanelli Wetland Centre is situated on the northern shore of the Burry Inlet, the most important estuary for waders and wildfowl wholly within Wales. The centre consists of a stunning 450 ha nature reserve and a wildfowl collection. Various hides and pathways on site allow over 60,000 annual visitors to get close to wildlife and the landscaped grounds provide unforgettable experiences of hand-feeding wildfowl from around the world, many of which are endangered, and flamingos. The visitor centre consists of a shop, café, seating areas, toilets and the adjoining Discovery Centre houses a classroom for educational use, a meeting room and a viewing tower, which offers panoramic views across the spectacular wetland landscape to the Gower Peninsula.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers are always on hand to help and point out the best wildlife watching of the day and they run a varied programme of engaging activities such as pond dipping and minibeast hunting. Up to 5,000 school children visit the centre each year and take part in inspiring learning programmes.

Proposal

Form

• There is no restriction in form or content of your proposal excepting it must be an installation which includes sound art.
• The work may be original or re-worked for the new context but must not have been previously shown in Wales in any form.

Duration

Installation of artwork completed 7th June 2019 and remaining in situ for one month minimum to six months maximum.

Considerations: Essential

Your proposal must:

• consider the envrionment and context of Llanelli Wetland Centre.
• not adversely affect local ecology.
• engage with a wide range of audiences.

Considerations: Desirable

Preferably, your proposal will:

• not require continuous supervision or invigilation.
• help to connect people with wetlands and increase awareness of environmental issues.
• consider sustainability in use of materials used and end of life options.
• be suitable for transporting and exhibiting at other WWT visitors centres around the UK (touring of the artwork to be confirmed and agreed).

Schedule

• Deadline for concept proposals: 1st December 2018
• Short-list announced: 15th December 2018
• Deadline for developed proposals: 15th February 2019
• Finalist announced: 1st March 2019
• Live From: 8th June 2019

Financial Support and Resources

• Three concept proposals will be shortlisted for the commission with each shortlisted artist receiving a fee of £100 as contribution towards further development of their proposals.
• One successful artist will receive a commission fee of £2,000 with an additional budget of up to £8,000 available for design, production, materials, installation costs and agreed expenses.
• Production support will be provided by Soundlands and its partners.

Sound Artist

Suitability

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 nature conservation
• who has an interest in enhancing public engagement in public places through sound artworks

Eligibility

• You must be available to create, develop and install the artwork during the period: 1st March – 8 June 2019.
• You must not be a paid staff member of Soundlands, Datrys (Cwmni Datrys Cyf.), Migrations (Arts Migrations CIC) or WWT (WWT Ltd).
• This is an international open call, there are no restrictions on country of origin or residency.

Apply

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.

There is no submission fee. Send to either:

• email: post@soundlands.org  (please type ‘SOUNDLANDS OPEN CALL 2019’ in the subject box).
• post: Soundlands, Ciafaic, Watling Street, Llanrwst, LL26 0LS, Wales  (please write ‘SOUNDLANDS OPEN CALL 2019’ clearly on the envelope).

Partners

About Soundlands

Soundlands is a not-for-profit project, aiming to make positive contributions to our environments through the sound arts. Previous events include ‘Piano Transplants’ by Annea Lockwood (USA); ‘Singing Menai Bridge’ by Jodi Rose (Australia); ‘Toriad’ by Manuel Rocha Iturbide (Mexico), ‘Songsmith’ by Jenna Burchell (South Africa).Further information: soundlands.org

About Migrations

Founded in 2004, Migrations brings international contemporary arts to Wales while developing innovative collaborations, commissions and partnerships in Wales and further afield. Previous events include: ‘TAPE’ by Numen / For Use (Croatia); ‘Treehugger’ by Marshmallow Laser Feast (England) and ‘Bodies in Urban Spaces’ by Willi Dorner (Austria).Further information: migrations.uk

About WWT

WWT is the leading global conservation organisation committed to the protection of wetlands and all that live in and around them. WWT is the only UK charity with a national network of specialist wetland centres that people can visit. It was founded in 1946 by the late Sir Peter Scott, the renowned naturalist and artist.Further information: wwt.org.uk

Selectors

• Chris Watson – Field Recordist
• Jana Winderen – Sound Artist
• Gilles Helsen – Klankenbos
• Brian Briggs – WWT
• Karine Décorne – Migrations
• Dominic Chennell – Soundlands

Further Information

For further enquiries, please contact: post@soundlands.org (+44 (0)1492 642291)

Please note: We are initially requesting concept proposals, this means extensive details of the proposal and budgets are not required at this stage of the application. If short-listed you will need to provide a worked-up proposal showing all costs (including design, production, materials, installation costs and agreed expenses such as travel and accommodation) within the total project budget.

Acknowledgements

Soundlands is funded by Arts Council of Wales. Soundlands’ commission for WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre is made in partnership with Migrations and WWT.