Application deadline: March 25, 2017
IZOLYATSIA. Platform for Cultural Initiatives, Ukraine’s leading art institution, is inviting artists to participate in the competition for the project of a temporary public intervention on the former site of the Lenin monument in Kyiv, as part of its Social Contract project. The call is open to all artists, regardless of their age, gender, nationality, or practice.
The curatorial focus for the Social Contract is the concept of commemorative objects/rituals in public space that encapsulate certain historical narratives and political ideologies. The project is aimed at creating a discussion platform for art community, society, and authorities on the status and functions of commemorative objects in public space, using the case of the Lenin statue in Kyiv as an example.
The destruction of the statue of Lenin in Kyiv in December 2013 triggered the symbolic Leninfall around the country, calling into action a controversial set of laws on Decommunisation to a broad polemic in Ukrainian society. At the moment the vacant site holds an enormous ideological potential and is crucial in defining national identity, creating attitude to the recent painful past and formulating future agenda. Thus, an artistic intervention could create an arena for a broad discussion within the society.
Artists should understand the ethical issues involved, be relevant to local conditions and engage a broad audience. Consequently, suggested intervention should be compatible with the empty Lenin monument pedestal both spatially and conceptually and could be of any media and format. However, big-scale modifications of the site are not advised, due to the intervention’s temporary nature. For that matter, performative, participatory and interactive works will be given preference.
Previous editions
The first artistic intervention at the site of the Lenin monument within the Social Contract project was Cynthia Gutiérrez’s installation Inhabiting Shadows (July 9-16, 2016), attended by over 1500 people.
In November 2016, the Iranian artist Mahmoud Bakhshi has been invited for the second round of the project, contributing with the Endless Celebration installation (November 7-21, 2016).
Additional information
Learn more about the location here.
Selection process
Among the received entries, four artists will be shortlisted by the jury to participate in the second phase (Popular Vote). The winning project will be presented at the former site of the Lenin monument in Kyiv on May 1-17, 2017.
Framework
For the winning proposal an artist’s basic fee, travel costs, accommodation, per diem and production costs are to be covered by the hosting institution.
Application requirements
The applicants must provide following documents:
- A letter of motivation, elaborating on the artist’s interest in the topic (no longer than 300 words);
- A project description and a sketch with technical specification (no longer than 300 words);
- Artist’s CV.
Entries must be submitted in English in one PDF file to the email address [email protected] with the title: “Social Contract Application [Last Name of Applicant]” no later than March 25, 2017.
Project curator: Kateryna Filyuk
Supported by the Department for Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration.
About IZOLYATSIA
IZOLYATSIA is a cultural platform founded in Donetsk in 2010 and relocated to Kyiv in June 2014 after the military occupation of its premises. The institution’s mission is to inspire positive change in Ukraine by using culture as an instrument. IZOLYATSIA has three intertwined directions of activity: art, education and projects geared at activating Ukraine’s creative sector.
Learn more at izolyatsia.org
Media partners
