Open call for The BIG Idea: A visual exploration of contemporary culture & obesity
Peter Robertson Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
In June 2012, the University of Alberta will host the third Canadian Obesity Network Student and New Professionals (CONSNP) Meeting. The aim of the conference is to provide a venue for research dissemination, education, and professional development among students and new professionals in the area of obesity scholarship. In an effort to engage with the broader community and bring new voices to the table, curator Julian Forrest and the Peter Robertson Gallery are organizing an exhibition of contemporary art that will run concurrently with the obesity research conference.
Artists are asked to respond to issues ranging from the cyborg, the medicalization of the body, the obesogenic environment, the psychological complexity of obesity, body and boundaries or obesity and space, to positions on consumption and consumerism, or the “super-sized”. Artists are encouraged to bring perspectives to the subject that challenge, support, and ultimately broaden the dialogue surrounding obesity. Artists should also consider (but not be restricted by) the mission of the Canadian Obesity Network, which can be viewed at http://www.obesitynetwork.ca
Requirements: 10 images, image description sheet, CV, one-page artist statement, and a short, detailed proposal (including approximate shipping costs). We are accepting proposals dealing with all forms of media (including painting, drawing, print, sculpture, installation, performance, video and photography).
As this is a non-commercial exhibition artists will receive current CARFAC group exhibition fees ($303), and up to $300 to cover return shipping of their work. Visiting artists will also receive complimentary admission to the CONSNP conference.
The exhibition opens Thursday, June 21, 2012 and runs for two weeks in conjunction with the 2012 CONSNP conference (June 20-23) at the University of Alberta.
Deadline for submission is January 31, 2012. Please send application packages to:
Julian Forrest
Curator, The Big Idea
#307, 11203-103A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2E4
Email: [email protected]
About the curator:
Artist and freelance curator, Julian Forrest, received his BFA from Mount Allison University and his MFA from the University of Alberta. He has exhibited provincially (including the 2007 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art), nationally and internationally and is currently Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus.
For more information about the Peter Robertson Gallery, please visit http://www.probertsongallery.com
