Surreal House call for artists

Do you have a vision (and perhaps a team) for an immersive, weird room in a fancy old house? We're looking for Installation Artists/Teams for our annual Surreal House installation (the environment in which our annual party Dada Prom takes place)!

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First, take a look at some of what’s been done in prior years! You can think of Surreal House as psychedelic holiday decoration organized by artists (that's exactly what it is!)

For this call, we have three rooms available. The accompanying "to scale" floor and wall renderings show these rooms at PS1 Close House. These are templates that can be used for your proposal as to what you'd like to do in the space. In addition, we'd love to see evidence or proof of concept that you can pull off what you propose.

Things to consider: what is the theme of the room? What materials and/objects can easily add "visual weight" to your idea? (What will you use?) There are some limitations for what can be similar (theme? decor? objects? etc? let us know)! (If you're looking for inspiration, may we recommend the mind-bending world of Meow Wolf.)

TIMELINE
Priority deadline for applications: October 7

Notifications: October 14

There will be regular check-ins in October and November, until install happens (between Nov 25-Dec. 6). Surreal House opens with Dada Prom on Saturday, December 7.

Installation on view Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 11, 2025

CONSIDERATIONS

The environment you create should be safe to inhabit and enjoyable (and durable) for people of all ages. (This isn't to say you can't get weird… quite the opposite!) We're looking for progressive, boundary-pushing work that celebrates joy and questions reality!

Also- during Dada Prom people become other!! Some of the costumes are quite ridiculous, big, and/or awkward. Consider how entities of all sizes may interact with your environs.

There are some limitations to how objects can be installed. We will work through these details with you and help problem solve as needed!

COMPENSATION

Surreal House & Dada Prom are much needed PS1 fundraisers, so our budget is frugal. That being said, we want to compensate artists for their creative work. It will also be fun!

We have a small ($500) stipend and slight material fee ($250) for artists or teams to take on a room. In addition, we have up to 5 free tickets per team for Dada Prom, our zany winter art costume party (Dec 7 this year). We can also support with use of PS1’s art materials stash and equipment library.

Questions? Email info@publicspaceone.com

Apply!