OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR ARTIST FILMMAKER BASED IN LONDON

Audio visual work by Rose Kallal. Presented at Video Jam at Knockdown Centre in New York July 2017. Part of our residency at Flux Factory, Queens researching the life, work and influence of Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

Deadline for applications: Friday 25th August

Described as 'leading audiovisual masterminds' (Time Out), Video Jam is an independent event series based in the UK dedicated to commissioning, producing and presenting new moving-image and sound work. Since 2012 we have curated over 45 events in interesting places which seek to explore the dynamic between moving image and sound.

In partnership with the Barbican Centre in London we will be commissioning one London based artist filmmaker to join six other artists based between New York and London on a unique project. Each artist will create an original moving image work, between 10 - 20 minutes in length, in response to Basquiat: Boom for Real, the first major UK retrospective of work by legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat which runs from 21 September 2017 - 28 January 2018 at the Barbican Centre. Artists may respond to this commission considering any aspect of Basquiat’s practice or influences as inspiration for their work. Upon completion, their film will be paired with a composer/band/sound artist to create an accompanying live score to form one dynamic audio-visual work. The piece will be presented and live scored as part of the exhibition’s official closing event organised by Video Jam at the Barbican Hall on Sunday January 28th 2018.

More than any other exhibition to date, Basquiat: Boom for Real focuses on Basquiat’s relationship to music, literature, film and television, placing him within the wider cultural context of the time. A famously self-taught artist, Basquiat sampled from a dizzying array of sources - from artist monographs to record liner notes to surrealist film - which have been the subject of rigorous new research, enabling the rich depth of his compositions to be understood as never before.

We are looking for an artist at any stage in their career who will demonstrate ambition, quality of execution, sensitivity, and originality of thought when responding to these ideas in their work. We are keen to find an artist working within the fields of artists’ film or video, moving image installation, expanded forms of cinema, essay film or similar. The successful applicant will gain access to groundbreaking research behind the exhibition and receive ongoing curatorial support from the Video Jam team. Artists will also be expected to be interviewed for a promotional film in September.

Kindah by Ephraim Asili, scored by Micah Gaugh. Video Jam at Knockdown Centre in New York July 2017. Part of our residency at Flux Factory, Queens researching the life, work and influence of Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

Person Spec

  • Dedicated and reliable. Maintains regular communication with Video Jam curators.

  • Based in London.

  • Can be at any stage of career.

  • Genre is not specific but could include working anywhere within experimental film or video, expanded forms of cinema, moving image installation, essay film or similar.

The essentials

  • The successful applicant will receive an artist fee.

  • Films must be completed by November 2017, of 10 - 20 minutes in length.

  • Each film will be sent to a different musician or sound artist - chosen by Video Jam - who will compose an original accompaniment.

  • Final works will be presented / premiered at the official closing event to Basquiat: Boom for Real at the Barbican Hall on Sunday January 28th 2018.

  • Applicants based in London and available to meet with the Video Jam curators between August - October in London will be prioritised.


How to apply

Please send the following to Sarah & Sam at

[email protected] & [email protected]

  • Examples of past relevant work.

  • CV (optional).

  • A brief proposal for how you might approach making a film in response to Basquiat. Feel free to include visual references/descriptions. Please bear in mind that the film must lend itself to being live scored; making a silent film will be part of your task.

  • State your availability between the end of August and the beginning of November to meet with the Video Jam curators at least once.

  • Please use the subject line 'Basquiat’ and remember to include a link to your work online (with password if necessary).


Useful links

Basquiat: Boom for Real announced - https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/sep/30/barbican-centre-jean-michel-basquiat-exhibition

Video Jam showreel of past work / events - http://videojam.co.uk/about