Tallinn and Turku, European Capitals of Culture 2011, are inviting Estonian and Finnish artists to take part in an interdisciplinary expedition on the Baltic Sea. We are inviting you to marvel about and explore the sea that links us, the natural phenomena connected with it and your own relationship with the changing sea.

 Procedure for submitting project applications

History of Curated Expedition Competition

The Curated Expedition to the Baltic Sea project competition is intended for finding new and unpublished ideas which consist largely of an expedition on the Baltic Sea. Artists who live in Finland or Estonia, irrespective of their nationality, can take part in the competition. Also Finnish and Estonian artists living abroad may participate. The participants may dive into the deepest corners of the Baltic Sea, look at the Sea through a seagull’s eyes or at any other level between these two.

Vessels which move slowly, are environmentally friendly and allow for experiencing and observing the surrounding nature as closely as possible should be used for travelling on the sea. The project wants to turn people’s attention to other possible modes of transport instead of fast planes, trains and cars. Kayaks, hot air balloons, sailboats, marine expedition ships or row boats are just some examples of the possible transportation which can be used on artistic expeditions on the sea.

The projects have to have links with science but the interpretation of the results and observation should be artistic. The taskforce of the Curated Expedition will help artists in finding project partners in the scientific world if necessary. A Finnish taskforce which consists of scientists of various fields will offer their help during various stages of the process. The selected projects will be realised in 2010.

The projects may be interdisciplinary, performances or workshops. The keywords include standpoint, environmental friendliness, sociality and participation. The pieces of art should use artistic means to turn people’s attention to the environmental state of the Baltic Sea and increase the awareness of people living around the sea of the fact that they are responsible for the future of the Baltic Sea.

Active involvement of the audience in the creation of the work is advisable but not obligatory. The participants should involve in their projects also scientists investigating the Baltic Sea. Specialists could take active part in the creative work, not be just in the role of a technical or scientific advisor, although everything will depend on specific projects.

The application should mention the geographical area for realising the project. It is recommended to realise the projects between the southern coast of Finland and the coast of Estonia. Any projects which are planned to take place elsewhere than the Gulf of Finland, Archipelago Sea and Åland Sea shall be taken into account if there is a good reason for the choice of the location, e.g. it has some special trait or natural phenomena.

The projects have to be publicly observable through artists’ blogs.

EUR 7000 shall be allocated for each project. The amount has to cover the materials, author’s fee and possible insurances during the expedition in 2010. Any travel and living expenses of authors will be compensated if possible. If a participant artist does not live in Finland or Estonia they have to pay for their travel expenses to Finland or Estonia. Authors have an obligation to continue preparation of their work for the exhibition of their work within the Capital of Culture programme of Turku in spring 2011.

The expeditions are intended for highlighting wonderful events in nature. Could the phenomena in the surrounding nature be of interest to people living in the world of action films and computer games? Do positive and spectacular experiences with natural phenomena help preserve and respect nature more than continuous pollution tests or environment-related obligations and regulations? Is it possible to use art for making people interested in getting to know nature and protecting it?

Curated Expeditions to the Baltic Sea is financed by the Turku 2011 Foundation. The project is part of the Turku 2011 Capital of Culture programme. The art projects selected in the competition will be realised in 2010 and these will be presented within the Capital of Culture 2011 programme of Turku. Capsula ja Suomen biotaiteen seura ry will be responsible for the projects.

For additional information please contact:

Ulla Taipale
ulla (at) capsula.org.es
+358 40511 0214 or +34 65 379 5456

Merja Markkula
markkula (at) utu.fi
+358 40580 3901

Triin Männik
triin.mannik (at) tallinn2011.ee
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