Vibrance Festival

In collaboration with The University of Tasmania, Vibrance invites applications from Tasmanian Aboriginal artists or designers (at any stage of their career) to create a mural on a scientific container, which will travel on Antarctic and other oceanographic voyages. The selected artist will work alongside an experienced muralist who will be available to mentor or assistant them to complete the mural.

Applications closed midnight 20th September 2023.

Vibrance recognises that written, online applications are not accessible to everyone. If the process on this page is not suitable for you, please email us at info@vibranceprojects.com to discuss an alternate application pathway. We accept video or audio submissions in place of any written responses (up to 5 minutes).

Background

The University of Tasmania is leading an effort to build a sea-going 20ft containerised hydrochemistry laboratory called Hydrobox to make advanced measurements of seawater properties. The Hydrobox is expected to make 1 – 3 voyages per year with state-of-the-art instrumentation taking precise measurements of salinity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients in marine, coastal and riverine waters following world’s best practices in oceanography.​

With its focus on non-visible chemical properties, ocean biogeochemistry can sometimes struggle to attract the same public interest as more visible fields of marine science such as marine biology or seafloor mapping.

This artwork commission bridges the gap between the Tasmanian Aboriginal community knowledge and perspectives on science, art, education and a wider audience as the container travels across lands, seas, ships, and wharfs.​

When not at sea or in Antarctica, the hydrochemistry laboratory container will be based at CSIRO Hobart, immediately adjacent to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and with easy access to wharf operations.

Learn more about Nuyina and Hydrobox testing.

Image credit: Pete Harmsen, Australian Antarctic Division.

The HydroBox project is made possible through the support and partnership of the Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Research Council, Australian National University, CSIRO The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, National Indigenous Australians Agency ISSP (Indigenous Student Success Program), the University of Tasmania Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Vibrance, and the University of Tasmania Library and Cultural Collections.

Important dates

Applications open: 28th August 2023

Information session: 12:30pm 8th September 2023

Applications close: Midnight 20th September 2023

Concept design (short-listed artists): 22nd September – 16th October 2023

Mural installation: November 2023

Specifications

• The container is 20'x8'x8'6’’ (or 6.06m x 2.43m x 2.59m)
• The artwork surface is top and sides. Ends of container will be reserved for sensors and emergency exits.
• It is expected that the mural will cover the majority of the paintable surface
• The existing base colour of the container is Platinum Grey RAL 7036
• Artwork must not obstruct safety or reflective tape and sensors.

Process

1. Submissions are sought from Tasmanian Aboriginal artists and designers to collaborate with an experienced muralist to design and install an artwork on the Hydrobox​.
2. Artists are asked to submit a description of the kind of art they make and the themes explored, along with up to 3 examples of previous works.​ Please note that we do not require designs or concepts at this stage, please attach examples of previous work only.
3. A selection panel will short-list 2 artists who will receive $750 to develop an artwork proposal​.
4. Upon reviewing the proposals, one artist will be selected and receive a fee of $7500 to deliver and install the final artwork, working collaboratively with an established muralist.​

Selection

Shortlisted artists will be selected based on the strength and relevance of past portfolio work submitted in their application. ​

The shortlisted artwork submissions will be then be assessed against the following criteria: ​

1. Creative vision: a creative or innovative vision in terms of concept and method​
2. Suitability: to what extent do the artistic concept and design address the brief and opportunity, including factoring cultural appropriateness and site specificity​
3. Capability: demonstrated experience and collaborative skillsets

The selection panel consists of Cindy Thomas (Indigenous Collections Advisor, UTAS), Caine Chennatt (Director Curatorial and Cultural Collections, UTAS), a member of the IMAS Research and Education team, and a member of the Vibrance Projects team.

Information session

An online information session will be held at 12:30pm on 8th September via Zoom. The team will introduce the project and go over the details of how it will work. There will be time for attendees to take questions.

To attend the information session please sign up using the form below. A meeting link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the event.

Sign up for information session

If you cannot attend the information session you can contact Vibrance via email with any questions or to arrange a phone call with the relevant team member info@vibranceprojects.com.

Fees

• Two short-selected artists will be paid $750 to provide an artwork concept
• The selected artist will be paid a $7500 artist fee to deliver the project
• All required materials and equipment for the production of the mural will be paid for
• Vibrance will assist the artist operationally and help manage the project

How to apply

Applications have closed. Applicants will be contacted about the results soon.

Please read this page fully before submitting your application.

To submit your application please complete the application form below.

If you have any issues with the form or would like assistance applying, please email us at info@vibranceprojects.com

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IMAGE NOTE: If accessing this page via the Instagram or Facebook app on your phone you may have issues with uploading images. If so, open the website in your phones main web browser (e.g. Chrome, Safari) or on a desktop computer.