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The Assembled Self is a new art-science project exploring the impact of genetic sequencing on our sense of self and society. With Performance Space’s support, the project team are looking for Sydney-based artists with a strong history of practice, whose work deals with identity, to participate in the project’s first stage.

Artists will receive financial and logistical support.

Who are you? What kind of truth does your genetic profile tell about you?

BACKGROUND

The Assembled Self is a project about the experience of genotyping (genetic testing) and how this affects an individual’s sense of self. It is driven by our interest in how genetic testing alters the narratives through which people anchor their own, their families, and their communities’ identities. The project involves a collaboration of researchers and artists conducting a creative research project where artists produce new works (phase 1) to be presented to generate public conversations around genetic testing and identity (phase 2). We are holding a research development workshop on Saturday 22nd September to think through these ideas and find artist collaborators. Subject to a successful funding application, 8 artist collaborators will be provided with generous financial and logistical support for their artistic contribution to The Assembled Self.

CALL

We are looking for Sydney-based artists with a strong history of practice, whose work deals with identity. We are especially keen to hear from artists working in interactive, socially engaged or participatory ways. Attending the workshop does not commit you to the future project, or the project to you; this is a research development activity and we will reimburse you for your time ($150 AUD). There are 12 places available at the workshop.

APPLYING

To apply please send an expression of interest to assembled.self@sydney.edu.au in the form of:

• Contact details: name, email, phone contact, website, home address (in the body of the email)
• Summary CV (PDF of no more than TWO pages)
• Description of your current art practice identifying any connection with genetics and identity or previous collaboration with research, and a detailed description of ONE project that most aligns with our interest in genetics and/or identity (PDF of no more than ONE page). You can provide support material comprising links to web documentation of your work or up to 5 JPG images.

KEY DATES

Expressions of interest must be received by 5pm on Monday 3rd September 2012. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 5pm Friday 14th September 2012. The workshop will be held in Sydney 9am-5pm, Saturday 22nd September 2012.

CONTACT

For further information, please contact Estelle Noonan or Julie Mooney-Somers assembled.self@sydney.edu.au.

This project is supported by: Australia Council for the Arts; Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney; Performance Space, and School of the Arts and Media, University of New South Wales.