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Past
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2003 absolutearts.com |
Call for Entries 2008 The 4rd international juried exhibition of original contemporary funerary urns, vessels, reliquaries and personal memorial art
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 1 AUGUST 2008
DOWNLOAD: Dear Artist, Ashes to Art® | Scattered is open to artists worldwide, working in all sculptural media: clay, glass, metal, stone, wood, fiber, and the broadest range of biodegradable material, as well as mixed media that includes innovative materials and processes. In our 4th international exhibition, we are challenging artists to execute original concepts that will broaden the definition of contemporary funerary art, particularly functional personal memorial objects—from amply sized urns for individuals and companions that will be kept at home, at least for awhile, to jewelry keepsakes or reliquaries that might become family heirlooms or even cast into water or tucked in the earth anywhere in the world. Selected work will engage viewers in a memorable experience, seeing something of themselves and those they love—people, animals, community—reflected through artists’ eyes. Three distinguished jurors—Adela Akers, Nadine Jarvis and Sylvia Seventy—will be seeking fresh interpretations of objects that are an original reflection of contemporary culture, our time, and your unique vision. We are seeking strong craftsmanship. While the focus of past competitions has been exclusively on objects that contain cremated remains, either temporarily or long term, we are eager to see artworks that may also be characterized by one or more of the following aspects: • Biodegradable urns, vessels and reliquaries may contain all, or only a portion, of an individual’s ashes for a temporary period of time. It is up to you to determine the length of time in which the cremated remains might be held intact within the vessel. Will the vessel disintegrate when exposed to water, temperature changes, forces of nature and burial? How long will it take before the ashes are released from their container and dispersed into their new environment? NOTE: vessels must retain their original form throughout the exhibition and for a period of time thereafter under normal installation conditions and handling unless special provisions are identified and/or provided by the artist. • Scattering vessels may be objects or mechanisms in any media that assist in the task of scattering, sprinkling, dispersing ashes. Ideally, ashes would be scattered in a way that reflects the desire of a person who wants this done on their behalf—perhaps in a special place or time. Ultimately, however, it is a task left to survivors who may not be completely comfortable with the idea of handling cremated remains, are worried that they’ll do something wrong or disrespectful, or would like the scattering process to be an occasion for ritual, memory, and a celebration of life—perhaps keeping a memento of the event once the task is done. The Best of Show winning entry by Tamar Kern from our debut exhibition in 2001 was a stunning example of an heirloom quality scattering vessel in fine silver. • Ritual objects in any media may fit either of the previous descriptions of functional, purposeful containers or devices, or they may be more permanent urns, vessels, objects, process-oriented interactive artworks. They may or may not ever be used to contain ashes, although they should be functionally designed to do so in some fashion. They may hold mementoes of an individual who is buried, or for whom there are no remains to keep or visit. They may be reliquaries in any range of sizes, such as jewelry and small keepsake artworks that hold ashes, a lock of hair, wedding rings, the collar from a beloved animal, burnt love letters. It may be a container or artwork that holds all of these and can be added to over time, where the act of adding new objects becomes a mindful memorial process, such as adding a feather or leaf found in the woods, or a shell or stone from a beach that’s placed in an original contemporary version of a prayer wheel made of wood, metal, clay, glass, stone, leather or mixed media, then spun while reciting a prayer or extending a loving thought. It may be a butsudan, altar, or other shelf or cabinet on, or within which, objects of veneration or for meditation are kept. How would this purpose be served in a home that is modern, traditional, humble or luxurious? Artists have historically reflected and documented the world and times in which they live. In doing so, artists show us a creative vision of ourselves—our values, grace, personality, tastes and beliefs. We hope you will accept the challenge proposed in our 4th international Ashes to Art® competition to add your vision and skill to this historic dialogue. Download the Prospectus as a PDF file, or send a business size self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to Ashes to Art, P.O. Box 221, Graton, CA 95444-0221. Here’s to your beautiful life! Maureen Lomasney |
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Artists worldwide working in all sculptural disciplines and media: wood, glass, stone, all metals, clay, mixed media, biodegradable, new and innovative materials, are invited to create original, beautiful objects that are intended to contain cremated remains. Artworks will be selected on the basis of their originality, high quality, and success in honoring the unique characteristics of the individuals they may someday serve. Work must be new and original to the submitting artist or team. Artwork may be designed to contain ashes only briefly, or thoughout time. Other criteria are described in the Prospectus.|
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