Socrates Sculpture Park and The Architectural League invite designers and architects to help shape the physical setting in which the park fulfills its mission as a venue for art, creative expression, public programming, and education.
Socrates Sculpture Park, located in Long Island City, Queens, is one of the most distinctive cultural organizations in the country with its combination of waterfront setting, accessibility, and community-based programming. As a venue for the presentation of public art, a New York City park, and an active social space, Socrates has for 30 years harnessed the power of creative minds to transform the urban landscape.
In previous years the Folly program investigated the intersection between sculpture and architecture with temporary structures that intentionally served no utilitarian purpose. More recently the competition has shifted emphasis, asking entrants to fuse form with utility, creating designs that explore the intersection of art and architecture while addressing and improving the conditions of the Park. Continuing this trend, the 2017 competition asks architects and designers to design and fabricate four portable, demountable structures to replace four standard tent structures that are deployed, as needed, throughout the Park.
The structure should provide shelter from rain, shade from sun, and be secure enough to withstand wind in a waterfront environment. The structure must be able to be assembled in no more than 10–15 minutes by two people, preferably one person, and disassembled in the same amount of time. These criteria will be strictly applied when reviewing submissions. A submission will not be selected if this project, in the judgment of the jury, does not convincingly demonstrate this capability.
Site
This year, for the first time, the project is not confined to a single site within the Park. Instead, entrants should design an easily portable, demountable system measuring approximately 8′ x 8′ in plan with a minimum height of 7′ to allow for standing and suitable for a variety of uses. It should be adaptable for multiple locations, which will include areas adjacent to the Park entrance, to its education area, and throughout the landscape.applicants are encouraged to visit Socrates, a unique waterfront park located in an industrial area of Long Island City, Queens, before submitting their applications and to explore Socrates’ website to learn about the history and context of the project. A competitive proposal will address the site’s rugged, urban outdoor environment. Please be aware that the winning proposal is subject to final approval by Socrates and League staff and must meet safety and technical requirements to be able to withstand the effects of weather and public use.
Award and Installation
One project will be chosen. The recipient will receive a total $8,000 production grant to realize the proposed project for four freestanding structures. All aspects including design, materials, delivery, labor, and initial installation of four portable and demountable structures must be within the $8,000 budget. Socrates Sculpture Park has facilities and equipment that can be utilized in the fabrication, assembly, and installation of the project and the recipient will have full access to these resources during a two-month period at the Park, beginning in March 2017. The initial public use of the structures will be in May 2017. The project will be documented with a digital catalog.
Eligibility
Architects and designers are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted from individuals and firms; entrants need not be licensed. Architects and designers outside of New York City are eligible to apply, but housing and transportation are not provided as part of the award. If selected, non-residents will have to make their own living and travel arrangements. Students are not eligible to apply.
Submission Requirements and Process
The Folly selection process is competitive. A jury of architects, artists, and art professionals will select a single project to be realized within the grounds of Socrates Sculpture Park. Applicants are asked to submit two files in addition to completing an online form: one file is the Project Proposal and the second file is the Project Preview Slides. Proposals must include the following components, which must be formatted as instructed below and submitted via this Formstack form no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, January 9, 2017.
– PROJECT PROPOSAL
COVER SHEET
Include a cover sheet with name, mailing address, telephone number, email, project title, and a single paragraph of not more than 150 words summarizing your proposed project. Please indicate on your cover sheet whether you previously submitted a proposal for Folly. If you are applying as a team, please include the names and emails for each team member and identify one team member as the Lead Contact.
PROJECT PROPOSAL AND BUDGET
Submit a project proposal of up to 1,000 words that clearly describes the project and its relationship to the theme of the architectural folly and function AND offers a description of how the project fits within the financial parameters. A preliminary budget should be included that identifies expenses and demonstrates feasibility within the $8,000 production grant, and applicants are strongly encouraged to include renderings and sketches of the proposed project.
CURRENT RESUME/CV AND REFERENCES
The resume/CV should include information about your education; work and teaching experience; (if applicable) exhibition history; awards, grants, and residencies; and other relevant information. Provide the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of two people who are familiar with your work.
DIGITAL IMAGES AND SLIDE SCRIPT
Up to seven (7) digital images of recent work. (These images are in addition to images submitted as part of the project proposal.) Recent works may be built or proposed in any medium. An image script with a numbered list that corresponds to the submitted images should also be included. For each image, include the title, date and a brief description of the work.
– PROJECT PREVIEW SLIDES
On two slides only, please include as a PDF file:
COVER SHEET
Same coversheet as above.
KEY IMAGES
Select up to two key images of your proposal and submit on one slide.
Application Format and Deadline
The application package should be submitted on Formstack as two PDF files (8 1/2″ x 11″ page). The project proposal should not be more than 25 single-sided pages and 15 megabytes and the project preview slides should not be more than 2 slides and 5 megabytes.
Names should be named in the following format:
-Project Proposal: “Lead Contact Last Name”_”Project Name”_Proposal.pdf
-Project Preview Slides: “Lead Contact Last Name”_”Project Name”_Preview Slides.pdf
Proposals are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on January 9, 2017.