Call to Artists: Bollard Decoration Project at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Middle Tennessee Artists Invited to Submit Design Proposals by September 15

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee artists are invited to propose a single-bollard design to decorate the ornamental bollards around the Broadway and Demonbreun Street entryways at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Artists and artist teams can propose a single-bollard design inspired by the upcoming exhibition “Nick Cave: Feat.” (Nov. 10, 2017–June 24, 2018) and the theme: “Dreams and Aspirations.”

Chicago-based artist Nick Cave (b. 1959) is best known for his “soundsuits,” elaborate human-shaped sculptural forms composed of a wide variety of found and repurposed commonplace materials. “Nick Cave: Feat.” will include a dynamic selection of soundsuits, as well as a projected video, several wall-mounted sculptures, and a large multimedia installation. The works are accessible to audiences of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, and on a deeper level speak to issues of racial and social justice and the need for more time and space in contemporary society to cultivate individual dreams and aspirations.

Each artist or artist team chosen for the project will be assigned to one of the 10 bollards around the building, which they will decorate on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

Selection and Compensation: A panel of Frist Center staff members will review all submissions and select the artists by Sept. 20. Selected artists will receive $50 to cover the cost of materials.

Medium: The bollards are cast concrete and 3’6” high with a circumference of 9’6”. The bollards are currently painted dark gray with water-based latex paint. As the bollards are an important element of the Frist Center property, participating artists must not harm or irreparably alter the bollards or the areas surrounding them.

Day of Adornment: The adornment of the bollards by artists is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. In the case of inclement weather, the date will be Saturday, Oct. 21. If it is necessary to move to a third day, that day will be Sunday, Oct. 22. If a selected artist is not able to participate on the day of adornment (or on the alternate dates), the Frist Center reserves the right to select an artist who can to take part on the given date.

Eligibility: Artists living or working in Middle Tennessee.

Exhibit: The designs will remain on display at the Frist Center until June 30, 2018, when the bollards will be repainted to their original color.

Parameters: Artist must use water-based latex paint. Dimensional adornment of the bollards is acceptable but must not compromise the structural integrity of the bollards in any way, and the area beneath the bollards must be protected during the adornment.  The bollards may not be sanded, chiseled, or sculpted in any way or to any degree. No adornment to the bollards may in any way restrict entry to the Frist Center.

For submission information, call 615-244-3340 or visit www.fristcenter.org.

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