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In collaboration with King County Parks, CoCA will present "Overgrowth & Understory" the first-ever exhibition of temporary, outdoor sculptures on Cougar Mt. Regional Wildlands Park (Anti-Aircraft Peak & Sky Country Trailheads), from July 10 - October 1, 2010. In addition to its function as a Cold War missile site in the mid 20th century, the park also features historic coal mining sites as well as many miles of trails in second growth forest surrounded by an increasingly urban environment.
The exhibition, arranged around the perimeter of open fields adjacent to trailhead parking lots, will focus on interpretations of nature, history, and the built environment in a world of change. Sculptural works should be constructed of non-flammable material and should leave "no trace" following removal. Interactive (kinetic) artworks are particularly welcome, as are any proposals that incorporate the process of change (overgrowth, Cold-War history, etc.) throughout the three-month display period.
Deadline is June 11, 2010.
Overgrowth & Understory is King County's only venue for temporary sculpture in a forested setting where part of the exhibit includes a walking tour of 15 minutes to three hours (5 miles between the art exhibits near the Trailheads), passing natural features like the "Cave Holes," "Klondike Marsh," and "Cougar Pass." It also provides an excellent entry into public arts projects (previous experience in public art is not required). Twelve artists will be selected from the pool of applicants. In addition to the work being archived on King County Park's and CoCA's websites, blogs, and e-newsletters, the exhibition will also include production of a catalog, a sculpture trail map, and postcards.
There will be a reception for the artists on Saturday, July 10, from 2:00 - 5:00 at Anti-Aircraft Peak, SE Cougar Mt. Way in Issaquah, about 30 minutes from Seattle. Free entry and parking provided.
Submissions are electronic with the following requirements:
SITE PREFERENCE:
" SITE PREFERENCE: Artists should browse the interactive map of the park at http://www.cocaseattle.org/cougarphotos.htm where photos of the suggested installations sites can be viewed along with notes specific to each location. Installations will occur in "human-use" areas where buildings, fields, fence-lines and other "built features" are in evidence. Within such areas, patches of invasive vegetation (ivy, blackberry, etc.) create particularly welcome install sites; otherwise, artworks should avoid impacting living trees, native plants, etc. (Alternatively, artists may also indicate "no preference" regarding installation site or even provide a list that indicates "first choice," "second choice," etc.)
ARTWORK
- If the piece already exists, submit a digital image of it as part of your six images (see below)
- If the piece has not been made yet, describe it in writing (200 words) and provide a digital image of a sketch of the piece you intend to install. (Send the written description of the proposed piece as an attachment, not in the body of your e-mail.)
- Provide up to six digital images of generally similar previous work, jpg file format, maximum dimension of 800 pixels in either direction. Include a description of the images (artwork title, dimensions, medium and year of creation).
- Artist's statement of 250 words (or less) specific to the themes of the show. (Send as an attachment not in the body of your email.) This will appear in the catalog.
- Artist's biography of 200 words (or less) including previous awards, honors, shows, degrees. (Send as an attachment not in the body of your email.) This will also appear in the catalog.
- Contact information (address, phone, email).
- Artist web site link (if available).
- $10 entry fee check payable to CoCA, Overgrowth & Understory, 6413 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107,
or use the paypal button to the left
An electronic submission will consist of: artist's contact info and website; three attachments (1. Description of proposed piece including site preference; 2. Artist's Statement; 3. Artist's Biography) (Word documents are best) and up to six jpg files.
YOU MAY ALSO USE OUR NEW ON-LINE SUBMISSION FORM HERE
Be sure to select "Cougar Mountain Sculpture Exhibition" in the pull-down box at the top of the page,
and indicate you payment method in the next box.
Entry deadline is June 11, 2010. Finalists will be notified by June 25. Install dates in the Park are July 6-9. De-install occurs October 2-3. Call (206) 851-9641 (David Francis, Curator) for more information.
Finalists will be mailed a liability waiver recognizing the inherent risk of exhibiting unsecured art in a public setting and seeking permission to use any images for promotional purposes.
Please send proposals to: CougarMountainArt@cocaseattle.org
View CoCA's previous exhibit in an urban forest, "Heaven and Earth," at www.heavenandearthexhibition.org
Download a hiking map for the park and start planning the 5-mile roundtrip hike from the first cluster of sculptures (at Sky Country Trailhead), past the "cave holes" and Klondike Marsh, to the second cluster at Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/GIS/Maps/VMC/Recreation.aspx
A pdf of this Call For Artists can be downloaded here.
