SCIENCE GALLERY BENGALURU
CALL CLOSED
Results by March 31st, 2022
Open from December 23rd 2021 to February 13th 2022
Keywords Life, Consumption, Fuel, Measure, Element
CARBON
Science Gallery Bengaluru seeks interactive, participatory and experimental works for CARBON, an exhibition-season which calls into question our existing relationship with carbon.
We are all made of carbon, as is everything around us. It forms the backbone of our DNA, is key to life maintaining processes like photosynthesis and respiration and drives our industries. Our ability to control and manipulate carbon—whether as charcoal, oil, carbon nanotubes or buckyballs—has revolutionised every aspect of the way we live. From medicine and machinery to architecture and art—the sooty fingerprints of carbon are visible on almost everything humanity has built.
A critical ingredient to life and living—carbon has been at the centerstage of earth's history. The evolution of human society in particular is not just fuelled by carbon but also tracked and traced through radioactive carbon. Today carbon has been placed at the centre of a global crisis—one for which we do not seem to have an immediate solution. There is an urgent call to “decarbonise” by sinking and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, which we have relentlessly pumped into it in the name of development. This kind of a public discourse, however, marginalises the vital role carbon plays in the relationships around practically all life and non-life forms in the environment.
How do we understand carbon beyond the catch phrases and contradictions? Why does it behave the way it does—the elemental basis for life but equally a gas capable of suffocating life? A stone at the centre of an industry selling eternal love but built on the exploitation of thousands. As oil it has been the cause of wars and suffering. But even death and decomposition still leads to formation of the most sought after forms of fossil carbon after all.
As we enter a new age of carbon consciousness, how do we reimagine our relationship with this element? For this exhibition-season, we are looking to work with such individuals or groups—preferably from across career and disciplinary backgrounds—who are critically exploring carbon in its diverse forms in both the contemporary and historical context as well as those engaged with emerging research. We seek applications that are artistic or scientific inquiries, or both.
WHAT MAKES A STRONG OPEN CALL PROPOSAL?
First and foremost, we prioritise works that help our audiences critically explore the processes of producing knowledge relevant to the topic of the current Open Call.
We are looking for both existing and new projects that match Science Gallery’s core aim: to Connect, Participate, and Surprise. Relevance to our core audience of 15-25-year-olds is important.
We strongly encourage you to take a moment to explore our archive of previous exhibitions to consider the Science Gallery Bengaluru ethos and the fit to our current open call before committing your valuable time and energy to the application.
Looking for more information? Read more on our website or see the answers to FAQs below.
WHAT IS A HYBRID EXHIBITION-SEASON?
A hybrid exhibition-season is one which has both an onsite and online component. We invite proposals that may be completely physical, completely digital/online or are physical with a digital or online component. We also invite proposals for programming that could be conducted in person or remotely.
WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL SPACE AVAILABLE?
Check out this document of physical spaces available for the exhibition.
WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED?
We invite proposals for exhibits as well as ideas for public programmes. A clear rationale related to Science Gallery’s aims and those of the CARBON Season would be expected in the response to the Open Call.
Science Gallery’s approach is transdisciplinary so we accept projects from highly diverse disciplines that could include art-works, video, performance, poetry, craft, sound, web-based work, socially engaged work, live experimentation, design, sharing of data from social science, medical, or natural science research – essentially we are not format-prescriptive!
Science Gallery Bengaluru is also accepting proposals for public programmes in the lead up to and during the exhibition. This could include a film-festival, city walk, hands-on-workshop, talk series, theatre, dance, puppetry, stand-up/ open-mic/ improv, and a master class.
Keeping in mind the unique global context we find ourselves in we are especially looking for work that utilises digital platforms for engagement.
While our primary focus is on the exhibition space, we are keen on programming beyond the exhibition space and welcome proposals that could be hosted online, outdoors, or in other site-specific locations like lakes, laboratories, parks, or metro stations. We are happy to facilitate permissions where possible, if required. Please get in touch with us if you have specific questions about the exhibition space.
WHAT BUDGET IS AVAILABLE?
Projects supported via the Open Call for the exhibition can typically be funded by Science Gallery Bengaluru upto INR 3,00,000 (including all costs, artist fees, materials, equipment, shipping, travel, taxes etc.). Public programme proposals can typically be funded between up to INR 1,00,000.
Please note projects of larger scale could be considered only where additional partners/funding can be secured. We enthusiastically welcome proposals that work to a smaller budget or have a larger budget and are part funded through other means.
WILL THE SEASON INCLUDE NEW OR EXISTING WORK? Seasons can include new or existing works, and we are happy to receive more than one submission from one person/team: what is critical is the fit for this specific Open Call.
WHEN WILL I GET AN ANSWER? Science Gallery Bengaluru will notify applicants if their submission has been successful by March 2022. The gallery will be considering submissions during February 2022 so if questions about your project are identified we might contact you for clarification during this period.
WHAT IS THE NEXT STAGE? If we think your work is exciting and relevant, we will start a conversation about your Proposal with a view to establishing feasibility in March 2022.
ABOUT US
Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution for research-based engagement targeted at young adults. We work at the interface between the natural and human sciences, engineering and the arts through a Public Lab Complex, ever-changing exhibitions, and mentorship programmes.
SGB is established with the founding support of the Government of Karnataka and three academic partners - Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Sciences, and Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology. It is a member of the Global Science Gallery Network with sister galleries in Atlanta, Berlin, Detroit, Dublin, London, Melbourne and Rotterdam.Ask questions! If you’re unsure about an aspect of your proposal, email info@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com.
Please note that we are using a new system – called Submittable – to accept open call submissions. If you had an account with us on our old system, you will need to create a new account with Submittable in order to submit to current and future open calls.
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS OPEN CALL? ASK US BELOW
Open call closes on 31st January, 2022 11:59 PM EST.