Architecture Omi
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Architecture Omi Program looks at 21st century themes inherent in the new disciplinary territory which is evolving at the intersection of art, architecture and the environments they share.

"Architecture Omi has 120 plus acres of rural land adjacent to The Fields Sculpture Park in Ghent, New York.

Any arts organization, collector, architect, artist or gallerist with a dream, practical concept or creative project related to the intersection of art and architecture which they cannot realize for lack of space or a high profile international venue are invited to join with our program. We have spectacular sites waiting!

Our aim is to work with creative funding partners in order to make use of this incredibly beautiful land with rolling meadows, lush woodlands, natural trails, brooks, ponds and abundant wildlife just two hours north of Manhattan in the agricultural heart of the historic Hudson River Valley.

Architecture Omi is offering a marketing and exhibition opportunity to showcase new and innovative built environment projects
that will gain international recognition, be published and featured in professional publications and will be situated in an unsurpassed internationally accredited location in order to validate the project and the concept.

The Art Omi International Arts Center has a steady stream of year-round visitors, six annual residency and education programs and a full schedule of publicized and well attended events in music, dance, writing, painting and sculpture and regular park tours. In addition to the public, many of our visitors are creative arts professionals— collectors, writers, editors, critics, artists, architects, art dealers, museum directors, and affluent weekend residents—as well as the general public and international art trekkers.
We are presently making Request for Proposals in Four categories relevant to the theme of large scale art and architecture projects set into the natural landscape.

Architecture Omi Architecture Park supplies the land, year-round park services including a brand new million dollar LEED
Certified Visitors Center with rest rooms and cafe, trail bikes, mini motor carts, and exhibition gallery. Cross country skiers are always welcomed.

All proposals must come with a plan to source construction funds from third parties (Omi is providing the location not the construction costs) and conceptual plans attached.

Proposal Categories:

1- Private Collection or Boutique Museum

Artists, collectors, museums or arts organizations looking to showcase their collections or the collection of a specific artist are welcome to submit their plans.
We emphasize LEED Certification compliance wherever possible.
An abundant use of natural and energy-efficient lighting and power sources.
Plumbing and running water not necessary.

2- Pavilion
A temporary pavilion for visual and performing art projects.
Installed for up to one year.
Abundant use of natural and energy-efficient lighting.
Plumbing and water not necessary.

3- Transit Sculpture

Any large scale work of art with viewer participation features.

4- Earthworks or Land Art
Any creative project in which landscape and the work of art are inextricably linked.

• All proposals will be reviewed by the Architecture Omi Program Board and a reply will be sent within 90 days of receiving material.
• All material must be submitted by email.
• We reserve the right to post proposals on our Web site.
• International submissions welcomed.

Please send proposals to Architecture Omi

General Guidelines for Project Proposals:

A. Ecological Sensitivity:
The landscape at Omi is our most precious resource. It is the commodity by which we hope to attract the best art and architecture in the world for installation. Each project accepted for inclusion shall not compromise the environmental integrity of the land.

1. To a greatest possible extent a “cradle to cradle” use of materials is be encouraged. Artists should consider recycled materials and the recycle-ability of the materials after the installation has been dismantled. This consideration shall not override artistic merit of a given proposal; however it is a preconception which we wish to foster.
2. Installations may engage environmental issues but that is only one classification among a myriad of subjects which shall be considered.
3. Siting, material and formal expression of each project is encouraged to be respectful to and in dialogue with the landscape. The placement and acceptance of each proposal shall be predicated on the notion that each open field shall contain more than one installed structure and that deference should be paid the accommodation of additional artwork in the vicinity of each site. Locations shall be identified which can accommodate more monumental works and the board as a whole shall attempt to work with an artist to choose suitable locations for a given project.
4. Artists submitting work must have a proven track record of successfully completed projects and submissions must be made with supporting material of past projects.

B. Projects submitted shall be temporary. The precise timeframe can be negotiated on a per project basis. However, no project shall have a commitment beyond a 5 year timeframe. After 5 years the board shall evaluate if a project should be kept on view for additional periods of time. Projects must be designed to be disassembled at the end of this timeframe and allow return the site to its original, pristine condition.
C. The use, conception, form and function of each project shall remain open ended, to be determined by the artist and accepted by the board.
D. Projects must not require a building permit, as such, artists should avoid plumbing and heating requirements; electricity shall be only available through solar panels on site and shall be the responsibility of the artist.
E. A maximum of four pages, including a Text description of the project in a single Attachment document is preferred for easy of forwarding to the Review Panel format with a minimum of 150 dpi. Can include sketches, CAD imaging and\or photographs of models, etc.

F. Financial Requirements
1. All projects shall be entirely funded by a reputable arts organization, the artists’ personal funding, corporate or collector sponsorship sources, or other means of support.
2. Funding shall include the costs of all labor and materials for the entire construction project including the site-work, site preparation as well as a stipend for all necessary local engineering and construction management support.
3. Basic liability insurance will be supplied by the Omi International Arts Center. Insurance for damage, theft if necessary will be the responsibility of the artist.

G. Evaluation Process
1. Proposals by artists shall undergo preliminary review by the Review Panel. Prior to submission of a proposal we would prefer that an artist visit Omi but this is not a necessary requirement.
2. All submitted proposals will receive a status reply within 90 days of submission.

Photographs of site proposals:

FT Architecture
Charles Frazier
Jon Isherwood
Tarik Currimbhoy
John Cleater
Michael Tong
Pino Barillo with Fausto Ferrara
Caspar Henselmann

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