Open Call: London/Melbourne

A SCIENCE GALLERY LONDON AND SCIENCE GALLERY MELBOURNE SEASON

BLOOD is the first cross-network season for Science Gallery, inspired by the original exhibition BLOOD: NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED at Science Gallery Dublin in 2015.

Blood is essential for life, both medically and metaphorically. From ritual to research, artistic medium to biological fluid, the 2017 BLOOD season will evoke ideas that provoke and challenge, engage and entice. Crossing continents and connecting London and Melbourne through a public programme of events, activities, installations workshops and performances, the BLOOD season will feature a range of work from the original exhibition in Science Gallery Dublin, as well as exciting new provocative works and experiences that explore the scientific, symbolic and strange nature of blood.

BLOOD will run across both Science Gallery sites in London (on and around the Guy’s Campus, King’s College London) and Melbourne (at the University of Melbourne and CBD in Melbourne) between June – October 2017.

For our open call we’re interested in proposals addressing or exploring some of the following themes and topics:

• Taboo – surrounding menstruation, ritual behaviour or activities involving blood, food created from blood
• Stigma – associated with living with blood borne viruses such as HIV, or other genetic conditions affecting blood.
• Giving – donating blood to strangers, placenta donation, the connection between a mother and foetus
• Identity – blood type, associations with racial identity, mixed race, family, chimeras, human/animal hybrids, and eugenics
• Health – diseases of the blood, immunity. Blood testing and the future of blood based testing etc.
• Sport – Drugs and sport, blood doping.

For the London-based season we are looking for up to 9 exhibits activities, workshops or performances for this season. Proposals will be funded up to a maximum budget of £2000, which should include all artist fees, materials, equipment and travel. One outstanding original work may be commissioned with a higher budget of up to £5000.