The Burrard Arts Foundation’s newest public art installation explores global histories of nuclear power – histories that are often shrouded in mystery and danger. In partnership with Capture Photography Festival and InTransit, we are proud to unveil ‘Proving Ground, Nevada, Vancouver’, a new work by Erin Siddall. The first of a recurring BAF commission at the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line station, the photographic public art project is accompanied by a sculptural work to be displayed at BAF Gallery from March 22nd to May 12th, 2018.

The sculptural and photographic works both investigate uranium glass, which was commonly used to make dishware and other novelty items before the Second World War. Often distributed by companies as free perks to their customers in the 1930s, uranium was used to give the glass a yellow or acid-green tint. Recalling a time before radiation was associated with conflict and destruction, the items’ radioactivity is revealed only when they fluoresce green under UV light.

For the public installation, Siddall photographed uranium dishes from her personal collection at a former protest camp in Nevada, near the Mercury Nuclear Testing site. During the Cold War, anti-nuclear demonstrations and encampments occurred here. Siddall photographs the dishes both individually, propped up on rocks as if set down by the protesters who once inhabited this space, and grouped in circular arrangements evoking ritual and incantation. The images shot on location are interspersed with photographs taken in her Vancouver studio, which highlight the dishes’ otherworldly fluorescence against a dark background.

The Garage Public Exhibition Space
Call for Proposals
Deadline: Friday, February 22
How to Apply: View full Call for Proposals.

With the Burrard Arts Foundation’s move into new premises at 258 East 1st Avenue has come an exciting addition to our programming: The Garage. A former loading bay, The Garage has been renovated into a street-facing, glass-fronted exhibition space. The work inside will be visible through the pictured glass garage door only; gallery guests will not be able to enter the space.

In keeping with the BAF’s mission to support emerging artists, foster creativity in the public realm, and break down barriers to accessibility, we are excited to announce that we will be opening up The Garage to proposals from local artists. The Garage is an ideal opportunity for artistic experimentation, and a low-barrier way for artists to get involved in BAF’s activities. The Garage acts as the most public access point into BAF’s on-site programming, and we are seeking proposals that will spark public curiosity and engage passersby with the gallery.

We are now accepting proposals, with a deadline of Friday, February 22nd. The selected artist(s) will be notified on Friday, March 1st, with the first selected installation opening on Friday, April 5 alongside BAF Gallery’s next exhibitions from artists Holly Schmidt and Charlene Vickers.

Full submission guidelines, and directions on how to apply, can be found in the full Garage Call for Proposals. We invite you to reach out with any questions you may have around the feasibility and suitability of your idea.

Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing your ideas!