VISUAL ARTS

Friends of Fort Point Channel promotes the Fort Point area by offering complimentary events to the public --- and we want to hear your ideas for 2011! Please join us for a competition to recreate the Fort Point Channel with a public art installation. FORT POINT and the CHANNEL: Fort Point is a dynamic neighborhood within Boston, situated in South Boston between the Financial and Seaport district; it holds an important past, layers of culture and ever changing future. Learn more about Fort Point and the Channel. Each year, Friends of Fort Point Channel hosts a Signature Event, drawing thousands of people to the Fort Point area. In 2011 we would like to create an event around an interactive public art installation on the Channel. Together we will plan an exciting event that will include food, music, and activities for all. We want your ideas to make the Fort Point a truly exciting and welcoming destination! CRITERIA We are looking for highly integrated ideas that have multiple dimensions to them. Our projected budget for the 2011 Signature event is $150,000 - $200,000; with potential to grow in subsequent years. All concepts should: ~ Be interactive with the public and can incorporate some type of celebration, with the possibility of being repeated and developed over time ~ Utilize the bridges in some form ~ Be site specific to Fort Point - Acknowledges the history, background and culture of the area, creating a distinct experience ~ Respond to the seasons as well as night and day ~ Makes use of the potential for perspectives from all dimensions – around the water, side of channel and bridges ~ Be multigenerational ~ Address all 5 senses ~ Be conscious of the elements: marine environment, tides, New England weather ELIGIBILITY The competition is open to individuals and teams with no geographic limitations. TIMELINE November 30th Submittal Deadline Submissions must include a written description of no more than 500 words, one visual representation of the project concept in digital format, and 3-4 digital images of past projects. All proposals must be in PDF format and will be posted to the Friends website and social network pages. A selection panel will review all applications. Those applicants selected in the first round will be invited to submit further materials for a Pecha Kucha style presentation. December 15th Pecha Kucha presentations Blue Wave Lounge, Fort Point Boston Pecha Kucha is derived from the Japanese term from the sound of chit-chat. It was created to quickly present ideas. Each presenter will display 20 images of their concept and previous work for 20 seconds apiece, for a total time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds. This is a fun, fast paced way to convey many ideas in a short period of time. Presenters are allowed to show a video of their presentation if they are unable to attend. The public is encouraged to attend the event and a panel of judges will also oversee the presentations. Early January Semifinalists Announced Semifinalists will be chosen in early January to solidify their preliminary plans. They will be given $1,000 to work with engineers, planning groups and designers to aid them in refining their idea / concept. April 2010 Finalist Announced The finalist will be announced at the Friends’ Annual Meeting and awarded $5,000. They will work with the Friends of Fort Point Channel to implement their concept and establish financial parameters to execute their vision in the Spring of 2011. Fort Point is home to residents, artists, offices, well-known cultural and Harbor destinations, a growing Harborwalk and much more. Though still undergoing a dramatic change, the Channel is already emerging as a virtual "Boston Common on the Water" and Fort Point as one of Boston’s best places to live, work and play.