Art Call for
Science in the City
(Deadline 3 February)
A fantastic opportunity for scientists and artists to collaborate and get creative to make art
installations or exhibitions. We’re looking forward to reading all of your great ideas.
Science & Art Festival 26th September (possibility of 27th September)
Also have to be shown during Notte Bianca 2014
Submission for Science-inspired Art
Deadline: 3 February
Evaluation: mid-February
Notification: April/May
What are we looking for?
Art installations that are interactive and captivate the public’s imagination and challenge their
perspectives on science.
Below are topics to help inspire artists. The first three are based on local scientists interested in
working with local artists (please contact for details). Proposals sent around these topics will be
preferred:
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How did the Universe start and what are we made up of? — CERN: the European
Organization for Nuclear Research is a world leader in experiments that find out what
particles are made of. A 27 km-long tunnel under Geneva in Switzerland slams particles on
counter-rotating deems to find out what makes up everything we see.
How do molecules look? How are they made? — Celebrating the International Year of
Crystallography: X-ray crystallography is used to obtain 3D models of molecules. It is
involved in our daily lives and forms the backbone of industries that develop new products,
including the agro-food, aeronautic, automobile, beauty care, computer, electro-mechanical,
pharmaceutical and mining industries.
Control a computer through your thoughts — Brain–computer interface devices: These
systems allow individuals to communicate or control equipment directly by thinking about it.
They bypass the need for physical movement. The technology has benefited individuals who
are mobility impaired with practical applications as an assisted living and communication
tool. Local researchers are interested to work with artists to develop ‘thought controlled’
gaming applications, and are open to other ideas.
Breakthroughs and best inventions of 2013 — Inspiration from any of these ideas. These
include cloning humans, making your immune system fight cancers, driverless toy cars,
invisible skyscrapers, resurrection of extinct species, and even how the bacteria living in your
gut protect your health. Please see: http://news.sciencemag.org/breakthrough-­‐of-­‐the-­‐
year-­‐2013 or http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=world-­‐changing-­‐ideas-­‐
2013-­‐intro or http://techland.time.com/2013/11/14/the-­‐25-­‐best-­‐inventions-­‐of-­‐the-­‐
year-­‐2013/?xid=newsletter-­‐techland
Origins — Where does humanity come from? Where does the Universe come from? What are
we made of? Where does life come from? Where do ideas come from? The possibilities are
endless.
… and any other idea? Please get in touch.
Art installation can be used throughout the length of the festival and afterwards.
A 1–3 page proposal with quotes (due to short time restrictions quotes can be handed in late) structured
as follows: Event Summary, Background and Objectives , Execution (Methods), Costs, Evaluation,
Outcomes, Logistics. See below for details on each section.
Aims:
1. To show how science is part of everyday life and that researchers are normal human beings with an
extraordinary job.
2. To develop art inspired by a scientific concept or idea, especially local science. Researchers should
be consulted or actively participate in the artwork. The consortium can help with contacts.
3. To develop interactive art which engages with the public.
4. Located in Valletta, preferably in the streets and buildings between City Gate/St James Cavalier and
St George’s square/Old Merchant Street. Nearby buildings and streets can also be considered (if in
doubt please email).
Values of Science in the City: Science, art, creativity, technology, education, entertainment, quality,
interactive, engagement between people.
Pluses, but not essential:
Art can be replicated in more than one street or building
It can be retained for up to a month, with the possibility of reuse / permanent exhibition.
Proposal Structure (1–3 pages long—short and sweet, plus financial quotes):
Art Project Summary — most important part in order to showcase your idea, focus on what
is important for your project.
Background and objectives — details on the theory developed, scientific theory it is based
on or exploring
Execution (Methods) — location, type of art, what does it consists of?
Costs (including breakdown of costs) — materials, hours and so on. Please consider all costs
including installation, transportation and dismantling costs. Additional costs such as security
should also be included. In Euros, including VAT. When VAT is not stated in a proposal, it
will be assumed to be included. Large installations should be limited to below 3000 EUR. If
ideas are above this amount please get in touch with the contact personnel below.
Evaluation — how would you gauge if the audience liked it, and how much did they take
back from it. This will need to be co-ordinated with the whole event.
Outcomes — how many people are you expecting to reach, target audience, what do you
expect the audience will take from the art.
Logistics — not all need to be considered but good to think about: Security, Lighting, length
of duration and ability to move it, include transportation, installation and dismantling costs in
proposal.
Deadline: 3 February. Proposal will then be chosen by the board to be sent for funding. The result of
the funding would be received by end of May.
Types of Art accepted: anything innovative and creative.
Contacts: please send your proposals to: info@scienceinthecity.org.mt. For more information about all
events contact Edward Duca (mailto:edward.duca@um.edu.mt; Mob: 99239974) and/or Karen Fiorini
(karen.fiorini@um.edu.mt; Mob: 99868348). For more information about the festival and previous
programme, please check: http://scienceinthecity.org.mt/
Evaluation: Selection of proposals it will be judged on:
Location — in Valletta and close to the main events
Science — how well-grounded/inspired by science?
Innovation (creativity) — how artistically creative and ground-breaking is the idea?
Cost — how cost-effective is the proposal? Are costs complete? Are quotes provided?
Reach — how many people can be involved and reached by the art?
Engagement — how interactive is the artwork?
Most weight will be placed on Science, Creative and Engagement criteria.
Please sign and date your proposal
N.B.: awarding of the proposals is subject to the funding being allocated.