And while we’re on the subject of Boris Bally, he’s organising a design competition to raise money for the The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV), which was founded in 2013 after the Sandy Hook Shooting. If you’re nowhere near being able to see Boris speak, perhaps you’d like to help out his cause by getting involved with this.
From the website:
(for the full competition details, click through)
The Competition:
We are looking for bold, affordable works of wearable, useable or decorative art to further an awareness of the gun violence epidemic we still face. We hope to promote conversations that spark debate while providing needed resources to support real action including a planned gun amnesty/buy-back organized by artist Scott Lapham. The competition will also support the RICAGV’s continued advocacy for responsible gun laws.
Designers, artists and metalsmiths are intrigued by material, technique and the challenges presented by engineering obstacles. Not only do they shape objects for wear, use and decoration but also for political commentary. The goal of this competition is to showcase, promote and sell the best designs which may employ an arsenal of wit and skill to transform weapon imagery beyond its deadly intent. The winning entries will ultimately support the entrants as well as the efforts of the RICAGV.
Criteria for selected work:
Jury will consider overall design originality, skill, impact and production feasibility. The design’s ability to convey the mission of the RICAGV will be crucial.
Jury:
A group of nationally recognized Jurors will select the final pieces to be placed into production:
Emily Zilber Editor, Metalsmith magazine, Independent Curator
Dominic Molon Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art,
RISD Museum
Linda Finn Executive Director, RICAGV
Peter Diepenbrock Sculptor, Designer
Boris Bally Metalsmith, Organizer
First Place Award:
The Top Award will receive a purchase order from RICAGV for the purchase of twenty units at their maximum wholesale cost of $100 (value up to $2,000).
Finalist Awards:
The RICAGV will initially purchase the original prototype entries from each of the finalist’s jury-selected designs. The designs will remain the property of the designer with the stipulation that the RICAGV may promote and sell these designs. These top designs will be professionally photographed and promoted on the RICAGV website, in mailings and at events using the designer’s name in all promotions. These selected designs will be offered for retail sale to the public by the RICAGV and their affiliated locations. As orders are received, they will be turned over to the artist for timely production. The RICAGV will in turn fulfill orders directly to the customer. Artists will receive their wholesale price and RICAGV will receive the balance to support their ongoing work.
The Jury reserves the right to pick as many design finalists as they wish.
Get to it, creative activists!