SCIENCE GALLERY BENGALURU
CALL CLOSED
Open from
01.03.2021—25.04.2021
Results by
August 2021
Keywords
Perception, Intelligence, Emotion, Trauma, Mind, Brain
PSYCHE
ABOUT SCIENCE GALLERY BENGALURU
Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution for research-based engagement targeted at young adults. We work at the interfaces between the natural and human sciences, engineering, and the arts through experimental spaces, exhibitions, training programmes, and public events.
SGB is being 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. We are a member of the Global Science Gallery Network with sister galleries in Atlanta, Detroit, Dublin, London, Venice, Rotterdam, and Melbourne.
DESCRIPTION
Science Gallery Bengaluru seeks interactive, participatory works for PSYCHE, an exhibition- season that explores the mind—and the complexities of thinking and feeling—in December 2021–January 2022. Why do we think? Why do we dream? Why are we emotional beings? Is intelligence and the ability to think and feel restricted to humans?
Researchers have grappled with the inner workings of the human mind, from mapping billions of neurons to trying to understand the intangible expressions of thought and consciousness. We have experimented on the human brain with drugs, hypnosis, genetic techniques, and more. The mind plays its own tricks through optical illusions, déjà vu, delusions and hallucinations, which, combined with the imagination and hormones, manifest in intriguing behaviours.
Neuroscientists, chemists, doctors, psychologists, philosophers, mathematicians, systems analysts all take us a few steps closer to unravelling the enigma of the psyche. It is worth noting that much of laboratory research to understand the human mind is, in fact, carried out on other living beings who exhibit degrees of decision making, planning, and emotion.
The mind is inextricably implicated in our perception of the world and our experience of it. Our actions, informed by this perception, continue to shape the world. Our thoughts and emotions likely create a sense of wellbeing or a lack of it, yet we do not fully understand the biological, psychological, or social underpinnings of our intellectual being.
The future of the mind could be stranger than fiction: weaponizing of emotions, extra-sensory perception, prediction of criminal behaviours or the wiping out of traumatic memories, Nothing, it seems, is impossible. Even machines need not be exempt from thinking or experiencing emotions in a manner similar to humans as we continue to replicate the human mind in-silico.
We at Science Gallery Bengaluru are looking to work with individuals or groups from across career and disciplinary backgrounds who are critically exploring the psyche through emerging research. Your submission can be an artistic or a scientific inquiry, or, preferably, both. Science Gallery Bengaluru will collaborate with The Wellbeing Project to curate elements of the Open Call and the Psyche exhibition which will be then shown at The Wellbeing Summit in Bilbao, Spain in 2022. The Wellbeing Project is addressing the issue of the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working on the frontlines of social change.
WHAT MAKES A STRONG OPEN CALL PROPOSAL?
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 15-28year-olds is important. We strongly encourage you to explore our website for exhibitions held at our sister galleries to consider the Science Gallery ethos and the fit to our current Open Call before committing your valuable time and energy to the application.
WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED?
We invite proposals for exhibits as well as ideas for public programmes. A clear rationale related to Science Galley’s aims and those of the PSYCHE 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 session, and a master class.
Keeping in mind the unique global context in which we find ourselves, 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 up to INR 3,00,000 (including all costs of 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 15.06.2021. The gallery will be considering submissions during April and May, 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 June 2021.
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.
Open call closes on 25th April, 2021 11:59 PM EST.