1st International Sculpture symposium BKBF (Bober Kunst Bildhauer Fabrik)

Theme: Communication/ Ecology
Materials: Wood, Terracotta & iron, Iron
Projects estimated size: Not bigger than 270 cm in any axis
Location: Križevci pri Ljutomeru, Slovenia
Art director: AIESM manager Nedim Hadzi Ahmetovic
Technical director & symposium manager: Robert Jurak

Goals of the symposium

To promote monumental sculpture and its contribution in reshaping landscape, and to create new landmarks in the region.
An exchange of ideas, new technologies and creative approaches to solutions in mixed materials.
To enrich public spaces of Križevci pri Ljutomeru and the projection of its cultural heritage through new contemporary artistic solutions.
To create a base for development of cultural tourism in the region.

Short introduction of the region

Rich in natural beauty and resources, every region of Slovenia has nurtured slightly different, local traditions. Križevci pri Ljutomeru is a small community by population yet has a specific story to tell. Located near the borders with Hungary, Croatia and Austria, this is the most westerly flatland area of Pannonia, surrounded by hills and forests. A multicultural region, it is a successful agricultural producer of various cultures, known especially for its locally produced wine and seedlings. Nearby, the river Mura nurtures a variety of wild life, including birds, fish and numerous mammals, the best-known of which is the Central European beaver, an animal whose numbers are on the rise and which enriches the entire region’s ecosystem. This area is blessed with excellent quality clay and is known worldwide for the autochthon breed of trotting horses, gold medal winners in competitions all over the world, also known as ‘’ Ljutomerski Kasač’’. Lately the municipality has taken steps to raise awareness by investing in cultural events, as art can act as a magnet by attracting a greater number of tourists. This international symposium of monumental sculpture is one of the first steps towards realizing this goal.

Theme description

Though we are witnessing enormous technological progress, especially in the media of communication, it seems that humans are becoming more estranged from each other than ever before. At the same time, this phenomenon runs parallel to the fact that our planet is intoxicated, with hundreds of species of life becoming extinct only in the last decade as the result of that very same progress. The mirror effect of this is that the same progressive technology and scientific know-how does shockingly little, and most of us are passive-voice protestors in general who fail to push those responsible to act accordingly to the circumstances.

Materials

The proposed materials for the first International monumental sculpture symposium BKBF is wood, combination of clay (terracotta) and iron/ metal (clay takes over 60% of volume of whole composition) and metal. Metal projects can be suggested from both scrap and industrial iron.

Project size

Having in mind that the 18-day long sculpting event will probably have 14 working days (with one or two field trips and two rest days mixed in), the suggested size should not exceed 270cm in any axis. The organising committee will not refuse projects which are larger or smaller in size. However it is important to note that a failure to deliver the suggested project, if selected, will result in the organising committee refusing the honorarium payment, as well as the costs of accommodation and meals, which are otherwise free of charge for participating artists.

Rules and conditions of 1st ISS BKBF:

• 5 artists will be selected by the jury of symposium by the following material preference: 2 artists using terracotta & iron, 2 artists using wood, 1 artist using iron.
• Art director Nedim Hadzi Ahmetovic, and Symposium manager Robert Jurak will join the symposium as participants, as well as providing technical and technology expertise and assistance to other participating artists in clay, iron and wood processing.
• The artist will be provided tools, materials and consumables for the execution of project, alongside a small grinder and specific hand tools unique to the artist’s choice of expression.
• Protective clothes, welding mask, gloves, earplugs, etc., are to be provided by each artist.
• The artist will provide their own health & accident insurance. As Slovenia is an EU member, we recommend that insurance is arranges for the period of the symposium. It is not conditional and not part of necessary application documents, however organisers will not hold any responsibility in case of accident or sickness during the symposium period. Signing an application form and participating without health & accident insurance is to be considered as negligent by the artist, since they have been advised otherwise.
• The artist is obligated to be present at the working site during working hours and to take care of their own, and their colleague’s safety.

The ISS KKBF organising committee will provide the following for each participating artist:

• An honorarium for production and author rights in the amount of 1300 Euro.
• Single room apartment accommodation.
• Food/ 3 meals per day, water and soft drinks.
• Transfer to and from Ljubljana (Slovenia), Graz (Austria) airport, or Maribor (Slovenia) train station.
• Studio conditions;  220V electricity is available and it is equipped with a variety of processing machines for all materials. The workshop location of the symposium is "Valilnica," a former socialist factory in Yugoslavia which was recently remodelled into studios and a gallery. There is the possibility to work outdoors. Processing wood with gasoline-powered chainsaws is exclusively to be done outdoors.
• Tools for processing iron (Arch and MIG welding machine, plasma cutter, big grinder, cutting, grinding & polishing discs, colour or transparent, permanent protection, benches, holdfast).
• Tools for processing wood (large and medium-size chainsaws, axes, splitting tools, glue, wooden anchors, polishing sandpaper, colouring and protection).
• Press & large hand tools for clay modelling.
• Assistance in welding, wood splitting, solving technical, static and other problems during production
• One or two trips (destination to be discussed with participants)
• The materials submitted by the selected artists will be used for promotional and marketing purposes. By signing the Application form, the form Artist agrees to interviews with TV and other media, communication with public visitors to the symposium, etc. Application documents of non-selected artists will be not used in any way.

Simposium Jury

• Dr. Branko Belec, Mayor of Križevci pri Ljutomeru
• Robert Jurak, Sculptor
• Izidor Zadravec, Visual artist
• Preselection/ shortlisting of projects: AEISM manager/ Art director Nedim Hadzi Ahmetovic, Technical director and Symposium manager Robert Jurak.

Sponsors of symposium

• Municipality of Križevci pri Ljutomeru
• Tondach Ltd.
• Royal seeds Ltd.
• Gostilna Zorko
• Eco Hostel Križevci
• Mlin Stajnko

Logistics and facilities: Društvo 29a
Applications and questions: bober.kbf@gmail.com
Deadline for applications: 20th March 2019.
Selection results: 10th of May 2019.
The selected artists will be contacted via Email.

Application process

Please provide the following documents when submitting your application.

• Completed and signed ‘’Application form’’ (require to info@aiesm.com) in English language.
• CV not exceeding one A4 page.
• Photos of 5 previous works similar in size and material (monumental).
• Sketches, photos or JPG format renderings of 3D programs of the suggested project (minimum three angles, maximum four).
• Aesthetic and symbolic description of the project.
• Recent black & white picture of an artist.
• Working picture of the artist.
• Technical description and mounting description/sketch, if necessary.
• Light, base etc., in case author deems necessary.

Note that failure to deliver all documents will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered.
Only online applications will be accepted. Applications can be sent as separate files, or as one  compact PDF. file.
Application Email and for further information: bober.kbf@gmail.com
One project application per one email, to not exceed 4 Mb in total.