I’m rubbish at writing detailed proposals, the vague stuff is fine. I recently sent a proposal to a gallery for a solo show. They were really interested, pencilled me in for June 2008 and asked me for a more detailed proposal. I sent one in and I haven’t heard anything since. I think they got their rubber out.
Anyway I’ve written up my detailed proposal for the Foundling Museum and sent it off. I’ve realised I’ve said I’ll do rather a lot and that there won’t be much money left for me at the end. Hey ho this was never meant to be a profit making exercise and I’ll end up having to pay 22% tax on anything I do make (the curse of the working artist). In Ireland there is no tax on profits from art, I may move. There are more possible expenses on the horizon.
In the interests of openness here’s what I sent off:
The Foundling Opera
Summary
A twenty-five minute colour film using lollypop sticks enacting an operatic fiction that imagines Coram and Hogarth’s setting up of the Foundling Hospital and the admittance of the first foundling. The film will be structured around Handel’s Foundling Anthem and will use elements of the music in the soundtrack (copyright permissions are being sought).
Site & Installation
Preferably large-scale projection with good sound possibly within the Handel space. This would involve mounting a projector either from the ceiling or opposite wall and mounting a screen or preparing a suitable projection surface (i.e. clearing & painting a wall white). The film would run throughout the exhibition at 10-minute intervals.
There will possibly also be one offsite live performance of the opera in early November (during ‘Arrivals’ part of Kings X Create timed to coincide with Eurostar launch). I have still to ascertain how feasible this is.
Equipment Rough costs
Dvd player £40
Projector & mount £800
Wall mounted screen (or suitable surface such as flat white wall) £100
Speakers with amp £100
Video Portrait of the Trustees.
Summary
To create a video portrait of the current trustees using low-level cameras mounted on wandering toys. The filming would be largely uncontrolled and would take place in the Picture gallery with the trustees gathered together but given no instruction. Filming will take no longer than 1 hour and the room would have to be closed to the public for the duration.
Site & Installation
Video portrait presented on a loop (could be split into three and presented as part of the existing video projection triptych or as a single screen projection). If a separate projection is used installation will be as Foundling Opera.
Equipment
Toys and radio transmitting cameras provided by artist
Lenticular Portrait of the Trustees.
Summary
A video lenticular image produced from 30 to 50 digital stills of the current trustees combined into one image. The stills will be taken during the shooting of the video portrait (above). The image will be 120×100 mounted on 3mm board (unframed) and will be donated to the Foundling Museum.
Site
To be installed on the stairs or similar site among other portraits.
Installation
This work will be delivered directly to the Foundling Museum by 3-D images Ltd where it will need to be fixed to the wall. (discussion with museum staff required)
Cost (including delivery)
£1200 (2 weeks processing)
Ancillary Works
Summary
A number (2-4) of small-scale video pieces based upon play and magic to be discretely placed around the museum. These will not be filmed in the museum.
Installation
Each will be presented on 7″ wall mounted integrated dvd player tft monitors. They will need to be screwed to the wall near electrical sockets.
Cost
4 x £100 each
Estimated Total costs using existing triptych projection £2640
10% contingency £ 270
£2910
