A partnership between Artangel and BBC Radio 4 has been marked by the unveiling of a new open for any artist based in the UK creating ‘ground-breaking’ work.
‘Open’ is free to enter, with proposals encouraged from all UK-based visual artists, filmmakers, writers, composers, theatre makers, choreographers and producers as well as artists working in the digital space. The project is funded by BBC Radio 4, Arts Council England and the private patronage of Artangel International Circle, Special Angels and Company of Angels.
James Lingwood and Michael Morris, Artangel Co-Directors, said: “Artangel is adamant that nothing potentially exceptional should be thought of as impossible. It’s the right time for artists to be as ambitious as possible and for Artangel to be as open as possible. Some remarkable new art in extraordinary places will come out of Open and we’re delighted to be collaborating with Radio 4.”
To mark the new alliance, five artists including Christian Marclay and Susan Hiller will participate in ‘Open Air’, a series of short pieces scheduled for broadcast immediately after Radio 4’s Today programme, 25-29 March 2013.
Gwyneth Williams, Controller, Radio 4 said: “I want to open up the airwaves and invite artists to bring their talents to Artangel and Radio 4. At a time when political and economic ideas often seem to reference the past, what does culture have to say about the way we live now? I am thrilled to launch this new initiative for artists across theUK.”
As part of the project, Artangel will visit 12 cities across the UK for ‘Open Platforms’, events providing artists the opportunity to talk to Artangel directly about the initiative. Starting at Conway Hall, London on 28 January, other cities include Manchester (29 January, Whitworth Art Gallery), Liverpool (30 January, Camp and Furnace), Cardiff (4 February, National Theatre Wales), Newcastle (13 February, Baltic, Gateshead), Belfast (19 February, the Mac) and Glasgow (26 February, The Common Guild).
Another intriguing aspect of the project is the ‘Open Mentors’ scheme. Supported by the Diversity Arts Forum, shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to meet and develop their proposals with a range of influential artists, including Andrea Arnold, Felix Barrett, Adam Curtis, Tacita Dean, Ryan Gander, Rachel Whiteread and Penny Woolcock.
In June, the first Open commissions will be chosen by a selection panel including Artangel’s Co-Directors; Tony Phillips, Arts Commissioning Editor at BBC Radio 4; and artists Clio Barnard and Roger Hiorns. Selected artists will be announced in June and presented between 2014 and 2015.
For more details see #open2013
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