Pyrotopia: Call For Artists

Pyrotopia: First Annual Festival of Fire Arts

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Click here to begin the online application process

Pyrotopia is seeking visual and performing artists to participate in Pyrotopia: First Annual Festival of Fire Arts, taking place on October 7th and 8th, 2011 at UnSmoke Artspace in Braddock, PA.

We are accepting submissions for a wide range of exhibitions and performances, from meditative and quietly interactive to spectacular, high-tech, explosive or utterly undefinable. We will consider any works of art, performances and other forms of creative expression which either directly incorporate or thematically reference fire or related media, such as electricity and light. We will select the best of these works to showcase at Pyrotopia.

Pyrotopia will occur at UnSmoke Artspace and adjacent grounds. It will be free, family-friendly and open to the public. We expect a large turn-out from Braddock and the greater Pittsburgh area. Programming throughout the day and night will appeal to a wide range of interests and ages. Live fire art and events will occur on Friday and Saturday nights, with workshops, demonstrations and other fire-related programming during the day on Saturday.

Pyrotopia is being organized and produced by a group of Pittsburgh artists with a breadth of experience working with fire in art and performance, producing large scale events and spectacles and teaching fire arts skills. As artists, we love the medium of fire in its wide variety of applications, and we wish to ignite the public’s imagination and appreciation too.

Throughout this document, the term “Pyrotopia” may refer to the Pyrotopia festival itself, the Pyrotopia organization or any personnel designated by the organization such as festival organizers; safety, security and other on-site personnel; art selection committee and any others designated by the organization as representatives of Pyrotopia. The term “Artist” refers to any person or team of people applying to and/or accepted and participating in Pyrotopia as performer(s), visual artist(s) or other artistic participant(s).

Pyrotopia is being organized with the following intentions:

• To showcase and celebrate fire and light in art and performance

• To provide artists using fire and light with a dedicated exhibition, to share their work with new audiences, and to support them with artist fees and resources

• To bring artists from different disciplines together for collaborations

• To promote and share the work of artists incorporating fire, electricity and light with families and patrons of all ages; other event producers; and with museum and gallery curators in Pittsburgh and beyond

• To establish a precedent for fostering greater funding for art and performance of this genre

• To offer unique learning opportunities through artist talks, demonstrations, classes and workshops in fire-related skills and topics

• To promote the safe use of fire for creative expression and performance through education, fire safety training and sharing of best practices

Pyrotopia is accepting proposals until midnight Eastern Time on Monday, May 31, 2011.

PROPOSAL CURATION AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

We will consider work in an any of the following fields: performances, sculptures, games, interactive installations, 2D and 3D visual art (painting, photography, etc.), video, demonstrations and more. Fire can be used directly in the work, significantly referenced or displayed in the work, or employed in the creation of the work. Artists may submit applications for existing work or new work that can be completed according to the production deadlines outlined below.

Work employing live fire will occur outdoors on the grounds of UnSmoke Artspace. Work not employing live fire will primarily be displayed inside the UnSmoke Artspace Gallery, or as appropriate, on the outside grounds. See site maps and descriptions on the Locations page at http://pyrotopia.net for details on the physical space.

Artists employing live fire must be 18 years of age or older.

Submissions will be reviewed by Pyrotopia. Criteria taken into consideration will include

• Artistic quality of the work, based on proposal, Artist’s previous work and Artist’s documentation of experience in executing relevant past work

• Originality of concept

• Potential appeal to audience

• Creative use of the site space

• Ability of the Artist to execute work or performance responsibly, safely and in compliance with Pyrotopia regulations

• Ability of the Artist to complete the proposed project as proposed in a timely and professional manner

• Information provided by Artist pertaining to issues relating to public safety, fire codes, technical logistics, sound and security

• Preference for including primarily local and regional artists

Note that all installations utilizing live fire will be required to pass inspection by Pyrotopia in conjunction with local Fire Department officials.

PROJECT CATEGORIES

A) Artwork, Demonstrations and Workshops Incorporating Live Fire
including, but not limited to

• Performance art such as dance, theatre, opera, music, circus arts, fire acrobatics, fire eating and blowing, spinning, hoops, fire staff, ropes, etc. Performances can be any length up to 20 minutes (though in exceptional cases, Pyrotopia may admit longer performances).

• Interactive and non-interactive Installations and sculptures, either for display or designed to be burned

• Games and interactive experiences using fire or electricity as a game component

• Work incorporating flames that are automated, switched, pressurized or having any action other than being simply lit on fire

• Work incorporating simple, non-pressurized flame effects like candles, burn barrels, torches, etc.

• Work incorporating high-voltage electricity (plasma, Tesla-type, etc.)

• Demonstrations (molten pours, glass blowing, live metal sculpting employing fire in its production, etc.)

• Proposals for workshops incorporating fire and electricity for targeted skill levels

B) Artwork Based on Fire, Light and/or Electrical Themes, But Not Incorporating Live Fire
including, but not limited to

• Performance art such as dance, theatre, opera, spoken word, instrumental and/or vocal music, circus arts, puppetry, acrobatics, etc.) Performances can be any length up to 20 minutes (though in exceptional cases, Pyrotopia may admit longer performances).

• 2D and 3D fire-themed art such as painting, photography, video, light, multimedia etc. display within, on or in the windows of and on the grounds of the UnSmoke Systems Gallery

• Video, multimedia and light projections for display in the UnSmoke Systems Gallery, on UnSmoke Systems Gallery windows or outdoors

• Installation pieces that are interactive, object based, time sensitive, etc. for display in the UnSmoke Systems Gallery or outdoors

For works employing live fire, the following fuels are acceptable by Pyrotopia:

• propane
• white gas
• alcohol
• locally-obtained and permissible wood (due to concerns over the area’s Ash Borer infestation)

Use of Class C or above fireworks not approved for use in Pennsylvania is prohibited. Use of fireworks permitted for use in Pennsylvania is subject to special approval by Pyrotopia.

To use fuels not on the list above or to incorporate fireworks, Artists must appeal to and receive permission from Pyrotopia. Please email the appropriate contact address shown below pertaining to your submission type.

SITE DESCRIPTION AND AVAILABLE VENUES

See the Location pages on the Pyrotopia.net website for site maps, dimensions, descriptions, images and designated activities for each of these spaces.

Artists are invited to tour available spaces before submitting a proposal. Please sign up for the artist mailing list or check Pyrotopia.net for scheduled tours of the site.

1. Elevated stage
Details: 24’W x 20’D x 2’H, with fire-proof floor to be located in front of the Artist’s Residence building
Activities: short to medium-length live performances, with or without fire or electricity as a performance element

2. Open area in front of stage
Details: Approximately 83’D x 90’W, paved concrete ground surface
Activities: pyrotechnic demonstrations, metal pours, demos with fire and other activities requiring a hard surface and no overhead protection

3. UnSmoke Artspace Gallery
Details: interior space is approximately 57.5’W x 37.5’D x 13.5’H; main building, first floor; standard white-box gallery; additional enclosed, dark area within the gallery, approximately 8.5’Wx16.5’D, suitable for videos or demos that involve light and can accommodate an audience of approximately 12 people
Activities: 2D and 3D fire-themed art, fire-themed installations, video and work utilizing light

4. Bread-baking oven courtyard
Details: Approximately 40’W x 70’D grass and brick ground surface
Activities: small demos, installations

5. Gated courtyard
Details: 47’W x 20’D x 15’H; brick ground surface, stone and brick enclosing walls; fenced/gated entrance
Activities: installations, sculpture, games

6. Maple Way (street behind UnSmoke complex from Robinson to 13th Streets)
Details: 24’W, 18’ + 6’ sidewalk on UnSmoke side, up to 600+’L (based on organizers’ decisions on space needs); paved concrete ground surface
Activities: food vending trucks/tents, vendors, craft booths, tables for local groups, possible installations

7. Brick façades of UnSmoke Artspace Gallery and Furniture Factory
Details: UnSmoke’s façade is approximately 83’L; Furniture Factory’s façade is approximately 150’L; both are several stories high; electrical service will be available to serve each façade; use of these spaces is subject to clearance by Pyrotopia with building owners
Activities: video and light projections

SERVICES PROVIDED BY AND COSTS BORNE BY PYROTOPIA

Compensation and Materials
Though our budget is limited, we are committed to compensating all participating Artists. This will include a small stipend for participation, to be determined by Pyrotopia per work or performance, subsequent to acceptance of the work. Dependent on fundraising, we hope artist fees will be in the range of $100-$500.

Pyrotopia is also committed to providing fuel, electricity and, at Pyrotopia’s discretion and Artist’s request, other consumables necessary for execution of the work during Pyrotopia. The extent of this commitment will be discussed with and agreed upon between the Artist and Pyrotopia after acceptance of the work. Our goal, when possible, is to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses associated with Artists’ participation in Pyrotopia.

Pyrotopia’s decisions regarding the above will be final and accepted by the Artist upon the Artist’s signing of the Pyrotopia contract.

Costs and Permits
Pyrotopia will pay the costs and handle logistics for fire and sound permits, stage and site setup, electrical service for indoor and outdoor art, site lighting, fuel, spin out areas, press, event marketing on line and via distributed materials and high quality video documentation of the event.

Security and Fire Safety
The site will be staffed by security before, during and after Pyrotopia for the period designated and published by Pyrotopia.

Pyrotopia will have a fire art safety team to ensure the safety of Artists and festival goers and to provide experienced support for Artists both pre-event and on-site. The team will include fire artists, fire safety personnel and industry professionals.

Upon acceptance to Pyrotopia, Artists employing live fire will be required to submit a Fire Safety and Execution Plan. Final acceptance of work will be subject to approval by Pyrotopia of this plan. During Pyrotopia, Artists will be required to comply with all rules and regulations set forth by Pyrotopia or imposed during Pyrotopia by Pyrotopia and by law enforcement, security and safety officials. All work will be safety-checked prior to and during Pyrotopia by assigned personnel and work must be approved before placement and/or operation.

Pyrotopia requires that all Artists conform to Pyrotopia’s Safety Guidelines which will be published separately and given to each Artist. It will include but it will not be limited to the following:

• Artists are responsible for their own art and effects, including testing prior to Pyrotopia to ensure that work will not endanger attendees and performers.

• No one may display, exhibit, or discharge any flames at any times without the authorization of officials designated by Pyrotopia.

• Carelessness, negligence or unsafe conditions will not be tolerated.

• Persons operating flame effects or involved in pyrotechnic displays, shall not consume or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any time during display or operation of their display or performance. If you are perceived as being under the influence or impaired by Pyrotopia or law enforcement, you will be shut down - no exceptions.

• All flame operators and assistants must be 18 years of age or older and must be trained in the use of fire safety equipment.

• Pyrotechnic operators, assistants and performers shall wear fire resistant clothing as specified, and subject to approval, by Pyrotopia. Requirements will not be onerous but at a minimum will restrict clothing to natural fibers (cotton, leather, etc.) Acceptable clothing or protection will be based on the needs of the artwork or performance, so requirements may vary.

Documentation
Pyrotopia will be documenting the Festival through video and photography. Raw documentation (unedited video and photography made by Pyrotopia) will be available to Artists at a nominal rate. Artists will be asked to sign a Video and Photography Release Form upon acceptance of work.

SUBMISSION AND SCHEDULE

Submission Schedule
Friday, March 25, 2011: Call for Artists issued; web site open for submissions
Monday, May 31, 2011: Proposals must be submitted online by midnight, Eastern Standard Time. All submissions must be received through the online system.
Mid June, 2011: Artists will be notified about participation. Contracts will be issued to Artists who accept Pyrotopia’s invitation to participate.
Early July, 2011: Contracts due back from participating Artists.

Pyrotopia’s decisions on submissions shall be final. Pyrotopia also reserves the right to invite or select artists who do not submit an application.

A signed contract will be required of all Artists indicating that the Artist is committed to presenting the proposed and accepted work and agrees to abide by all Pyrotopia regulations. Once your submission has been accepted, Pyrotopia will require occasional progress reports and documentation of the state and readiness of the work leading up to Pyrotopia. Artists not supplying this information in a timely manner may be removed from Pyrotopia participation prior to Pyrotopia at Pyrotopia’s discretion.

Festival Schedule (subject to change)
Thursday, October 6th
• Artist setup: 10 am to 10 pm

Friday, October 7th
• Artist setup: 10 am to 4 pm
• Vendor setup: 10 am to 4 pm
• Pyrotopia open: 6 pm to 12 pm
• Grounds cleanup: 12 am to 2 am

Saturday, October 8th
• Workshop setup: 9 am to 12 pm
• Pyrotopia daytime events 12 pm to 5 pm
• Pyrotopia nighttime events: 6 pm to 12 am
• Grounds cleanup, optional project removal: 12 am to 2 am

Sunday, October 9th
• Art removal and cleanup: 10 am to 2 pm, longer as needed
• Grounds comprehensive cleanup: 10 am to 6 pm

RAIN DATES: If it is determined that Pyrotopia must be postponed due to weather conditions, it will be held the following weekend, Friday, October 14th and Saturday, October 15th.

QUESTIONS?
Send a note to the appropriate organizer, as listed on the Contact page.

Click here to begin the online application process
We suggest you fill out the form offline in a document,
then cut and paste your answers into the online form.

Download the Call For Artists
Download the Application Form for reference (must be filled out online)