fling: FAQ

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INTRO

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Application

What format should I use when submitting work?

Format: Samples are welcome in either hard copy or electronically in any format. If submitting video or audio in hard copy, please provide a cassette tape, CD/CD-ROM, VHS video, or DVD format.
Length: Samples can be any length and will be reviewed for a general understanding of your work and style. Samples will be reviewed in the context of the entire application, as we are more interested in the eventual artistic collaboration for Fling.

Is there a submission fee?
- No, there is no fee to apply.
Do I have to live in the San Francisco Bay Area?
- Not necessarily. You could be paired with someone in your geographic area if we get multiple submissions from that area, or you could be paired with someone and work over a distance. However, you should describe what you might do in this situation in your proposal, and if you create work that must be performed, you must get to San Francisco at your own expense for the show.
What kind of work should I submit with the application?
- Anything that shows your artistic background and direction, especially any genres or media that you expect to use for Fling. The work does not have to deal with relationships; the work to be exhibited for Fling will be new work created as a product of your collaboration.

The Selection

How are the artists selected?

The curators of Fling welcome artists of all orientations and backgrounds and will select a group of artists whose backgrounds, work, and ideas best represent diverse perspective on the nature of relationships.
We will give equal consideration to the strength and quality of previous work as well as the strength of the artist’ statement of interest and proposals for exploration. Since the strength of the final show will be from the dynamics of the pairings, we welcome both established and emerging artists for Fling.

How many artists will be selected?
- The number of artists will be limited by size of the exhibition space and length of the program. The venue will be chosen to accommodate the mix and types of artists that are selected.

The Pairing

How are artists paired?

Once selected for the show, artists will be paired as randomly as possible, after consideration of the artists’ gender preferences, preferences for their partner’s medium of work, and if there are any common themes for exploration between artists.
Pairing of artists is for artistic purposes only; any and all aspects of the imagined “relationship” is fully collaborative and by mutual agreement between the paired artists (see below).

Can I choose to work with a specific person?
- You may make a request in your application, but you will need to make a case for it in your proposal, and also specify whether you will accept the curators' pairing instead. The show is intended to primarily present the results of new, assigned relationships.

The Relationship (a.k.a. The Artistic Process)

How is FLING different from other collaborative shows?

FLING isn't simply about the final product. It's about the process of creating a relationship. The inspiration begins before first contact between partners - each partner should consider carefully the stories and creative impulses that bring them to the show, how they want to present themselves to their partner, as well as how they want to create the relationship. The art begins with first contact. The inspiration from this designed and imagined relationship will inform final art, which may take a completely new form from the process.

What is a “FLING” relationship?

FLING artists re-imagine relationships to draw out the humor, the bizarre, and the sublime in how we engage with each other. FLING artists, in their collaborations, will bring out the truth (and lies) about what underlines the modern relationship.

Is FLING about romantic relationships?

Yes, but it’s also more. The idea of "Fling" was born to explore how expansive, explosive, and diverse modern romantic relationships are, from the eye of the artistic lens. Fling relationships will also draw upon other elements, including the intellectual, spiritual, philosophical, and more. Of course, Fling artists do not have engage in an actual romantic relationship - the Fling art show is simply about imagining a relationship, molding it, and re-envisioning it, as is the particular strength of all artists.

Do we have to actually date?

The long version of this question is:

“Is the end product is a piece of art that the couple makes based on their feelings/thoughts/discussions about relationships or art -- like ‘Hey, we got paired together to make a piece of art. what do we want to do?’ or whether the couple actually pretends they are in a relationship, i.e., dating?”

The answer is: It’s up to you. “Romantic” relationships take many forms, not always in the traditional dating sense. In this case, it’s anything but traditional – Fling is collaboration between platonic partners about the theme of romantic relationships. In exploring this relationship, FLING artists consider many questions. What makes relationships tick? What makes them implode? The questions to explore and investigate, to enact or to imagine, is endless, and the form of the relationship between paired artists is up to interpretation.

Are there any guidelines for the relationship?

FLING is a show about both the relationship process, as well as the end art, and that collaborators need to consider the process as important as the end result. For example, the process begins with the method and means of first contact. This isn't your average phone call, coffee chat, or penpal. It's a manipulated, created relationship that is re-imagined from the beginning.
Communication: Communication is more than words. Will artists communicate by sending each other “letters” of an language of colors? By a compilation of mixed tapes? Will they explore the materialistic demands of relationships by revealing their personalities and desires through the circled products in a sales catalog? When does this communication occur? At midnight? Only in the ten minute scramble before one leaves to work? Is it a relationship based on convenience or does it cause inconvenience? How frequent is the communication?
Think about the rules of engagement in a relationship. What limits do we impose on each other? How do communicate and relate?
Explore rituals, roles and scenarios. Explore each other’s histories and imaginations. One FLING relationship may be inspired from a trail of notes left in familiar places by a couple who never sees each other, or another FLING relationship may re-create the trials and errors of each artist’s first relationship and propose new endings.
There are many dimensions to relationships. Artists can explore them broadly or breakdown one element of a relationship – gestures, the things that are not said, a memory.
And remember, the relationship begins with first contact. Begin your art there.

When does the “relationship” start and how long does is last?

Once notified of their selection and partner, artists may begin their relationship at any time. The relationship duration and the frequency of interaction is up to the artist (e.g. it can be one weekend, several emails over cups of coffee, or the entire two months), as long as it results in a final piece (or pieces) of artwork for the show in March 2006.

If it doesn’t work out, can the “relationship” end before the show?

Of course. All relationships, whether imagined, artificial or real, are based upon the whims of those involved and go their own way, no matter how well-planned. In any case, all artists must still present artwork in the final show, based upon the dialogue of the pairing.

The Work

Is the final project one piece of artwork or can there be more?

It’s up to the artists. The paired artists may choose to collaborate on a single piece of artwork or they may each submit a piece of artwork (or series) informed by their relationship. The final artwork can be in any medium.
Further guidelines for final artwork, including any performance time limits, size limitations, etc, will be confirmed by January 31, 2006.
Artists are responsible for all materials for their artwork.

The Show

When and where is the art show?

The final art show is tentatively set for March 10-11, 2006 in San Francisco. The venue and date will be confirmed by January 31, 2006, based upon the size of the show.
There will be a gallery exhibition for visual artwork as well as space for one evening of performances. Venue and venue capabilities to be announced.

Can artists sell work at the show?

Artists will be able to sell their works at a fixed price or silent auction during the event. Fling will retain a 20% commission to help offset the show's expenses.

Get Involved!

How can I help with the show?

Get in touch with us via e-mail at info @myartfling.com.