Jaddaf Playscape Commission

Jaddaf Playscape Commission: open competition to create playpark-as-artwork

The Jaddaf Playscape Commission gives artists, designers and collectives from the UAE and its neighbouring countries the opportunity to propose and create a large-scale, interactive and playful work of public art every four years. The Jaddaf Playscape Commission’s open competition process closes on March 31. A distinguished jury of local and international art professionals, architects and curators will decide. The Jaddaf Playscape Commission aims to create a space for creative enjoyment, imagination and play for all ages, and the first project will be open to the public in autumn 2023.

Jaddaf Playscape Commission aligns with Art Jameel and Dubai Culture’s commitment to engage communities through public art and performance, and to support artists, architects, designers and writers in developing their practice and developing challenging, dynamic new ideas and exciting works for public space. Given the site-specific nature of the Jamil Arts Centre, the Jaddaf Playscape Commission will have a visible presence visible to visitors as they enter the Dubai Museum of Contemporary Art and interact with the wider Jaddaf Waterfront community.

Dubai Public Art is a new multi-year initiative led by Dubai Culture that allows public art works to be created and installed by UAE-based artists. Art Jameel is a curatorial partner, working with Art Dubai, Tashkeel, Alserkal and Akaas Visual Arts to commission and curate a series of special art installations across the emirate.

Jaddaf Playscape Commission Programme is part of a series of new artworks created as part of Art Jameel and Dubai Culture’s Dubai Public Art partnership, which focuses on the Jaddaf Waterfront and Dubai Creek areas and is based on an in-depth exploration of specific locations and communities. Other projects in the series include Creek Experiences, a series of audio walks focusing on Dubai’s historic ‘artery’, designed and recorded by artists, writers and poets, accompanied by performances and extended digital programming; and Creek Shelters, a series of sustainable interactive structures created by artists and architects that will give visitors and creek explorers a chance to pause and reflect.

The Jaddaf Playscape Commission involves a three-part process:

– Phase 1: The jury selects three proposals; the selected candidates are invited (and supported) to develop and detail their ideas;

– Phase 2: refined, detailed proposals are resubmitted to the jury and one order is selected for production.

– Phase 3: the production of the work takes place in the Sculpture Park at the Jamil Arts Centre, which will open to the public in autumn 2023.

Deadline for submission of proposals via the open call is March 31, 2023 (11 pm, UAE); all application materials are submitted through the portal (Here).

For further information on applications and requirements, visit Jameelartscentre.org.

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