DEADLINE EXTENDED: Purley Way Development - Request for Proposals

Request for Proposals – Public Art Commission: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 13 MAY 5PM

Purley Way Development
Croydon, London 

About the Development

Having reviewed the development site and its surrounding context in detail, as well as consulting with the landscape architect, we have identified a specific design principle and location for the public artwork. Within this space, the artwork will be fully integrated into the development’s architecture and the public realm to add a sympathetic enhancement to the existing use of materials and architectural design. It will focus on the key elements of facades in this space to enhance the public realm.

The artist will develop a visual language of artistic designs, motifs, illustrations and texts which will be integrated and embedded into the facades/surfaces of the main entrances and facades of the residential blocks, which have the most interaction with the public and residents.

The suitability of these locations has been identified for the following reasons:

1. Positioned throughout the public realm and landscaping of Purley Way Development, the
   artwork can therefore be fully integrated for maximum engagement and bridging the threshold
   between the development and the wider public realm.
2. Maximum opportunity to attract and engage the high footfall and visibility along Purley Way
   and Russell Hill Road from both directions.
3. Purposely dispersed throughout the façade in order to break down the boundaries of the site
   and to encourage permeability and free flow of the public within the pocket park.
4. Connected to the entrances of Purley Way Development to reinforce the principle that the
   landscape area is a shared communal space, and its use is encouraged – both for the residents of Purley Way Development and the wider community.
5. The use of high-quality complementary materials and design principles in order to create
   cohesive design language, architectural character, and materiality of the development.

Materials Palette

Important to the artwork commissioning will be to ‘tune in’ to the materials palette of the facades, in order to create a cohesive design that allows the artwork to stand out whilst being complementary to the overall scheme.

The Commission

Rather than taking on the form of a traditional stand-alone monument, the artwork will instead be integrated into the fabric of the architecture and landscaping design, providing an enhancement to the public spaces.

We are seeking innovative approaches to elevate existing surfaces, such as employing etching processes or other creative applications and surface modifications.

The foundation of the artwork will be the artist/s’ research and development of a design that may take the form of illustrations, patterns, motifs/emblems or text. Each location would have a variation of this design to create a narrative that runs through the site. Conscious of budget, as well as durability, the surface treatment would be eye-catching and complementary to the site design identity, whilst also being robust and low maintenance.

Various techniques can be explored, such as: embedded ceramic mosaics and metals; ceramic tiles; architectural glass; surface etching and inscribing; inlaid text; laser cutting stencil work; embossing / relief work; and digital media.

The artwork will play an important role in the site by contributing to:

1. Wayfinding
2. Identity of the development
3. Encouraging and activating seating / dwell spaces

Key to an eloquent and successful artwork design will be the principles set out below:

Musing in Brickwork

With the facades of the project being dressed with bricks, this is a key material to explore. The everyday brick is an honest building material, very much part of the heritage and fabric of the built city. With its ties to the earth and a human scale of fabrication/building, this humble material has a truly human connection. The material and context offer an opportunity for artists to respond in interesting and playful ways.

Facades & Identity

As with any new development, a significant challenge is to integrate the new property with the character of the site, surroundings and wider context. The artwork for this project will play a vital role in establishing this connection and cohesiveness, both from a conceptual and aesthetic point of view. Conceptually the artwork will be generated from the local research and contextual engagement – bringing together historical and contemporary research. From an aesthetic perspective, the artwork will have clear objectives to integrate with the landscape and architectural design language.

Surface Explorations

A fundamental principle for this project will be the imaginative use of surface design. The identified surfaces take the form of facades and seating. Each offers the artist an opportunity to explore various materials and techniques to create engaging, eye-catching, and meaningful designs, whilst being sympathetic to the design of the development and durable for public art use. 

Budget

The budget is broken down below - excluding installation:

Artist Fees: £12,500
Artwork Production budget: £20,000
Community engagement programs: £17,000

The artist budget is for an artist to research and develop visual designs to be applied to the various surfaces and facades. The artwork will be a surface decoration and not a sculpture.

We acknowledge that the production budget is relatively low, meaning we are seeking innovative
approaches to enhance existing surfaces, such as employing etching processes or other creative
applications and surface modifications.

The budget is not allocated for buying extra materials, but rather for reworking the existing materials
where the artwork will be situated.

Process

We are seeking both established and up-and-coming artists to apply for this opportunity, who present exciting and innovative approaches.

DEADLINES EXTENDED:

Stage 1 – Expressions of Interest

• 27th March 2024 – open call for Expressions of Interest
• 13th May 2024 – deadline for Expressions of Interest

Stage 2 – Initial Proposal
• 29th August 2024 – shortlisted artists invited to develop proposals
• 2nd October 2024 – deadline for proposals
• 24th October 2024 – interviews and final artist(s) proposal appointed

Stage 3 – Artwork Production & Community Engagement
• 11th November 2024 to 10th July 2025 – artwork production

Stage 4 – Delivery & Installation
• 28th July – 11th August 2025 – installation onsite

How to Apply

DOWNLOAD FULL CALL HERE

Stage 1 – Expressions of Interest

• Cover Letter – to include: why you are interested in the project; your initial responses to the context; and
  an impression of how you could envisage the direction of your artwork
• Budget – provide a guide budget
• Portfolio – presentation of previous works to provide an overview of your practice
• Artist Statement – text to give us an understanding of how you work and your lines of enquiry
• Relevant work – examples of relevant commissions or exhibitions
• CV – to include biography, education, qualifications, commissioning and exhibiting experience Expressions of Interest should be emailed to talia@artelier.co.uk by DEADLINE EXTENDED TO: 13 MAY at 5pm

Stage 2 – Initial Proposal
Further information will be issued, outlining the proposal requirements if selected following the Expression of Interest stage. It is likely that the artist will be required to provide:

• Detailed statement relating to the concepts within the work and how it will relate to the context
• Proposed research and community engagement
• Visuals, drawings, and mock-ups of the proposed artwork
• Proposed materials and samples
• Technical consideration for durability, installation and maintenance
• Draft budget including artist fee, artwork materials, fabrication and installation
• Outline timeline