Blood. Not for the faint hearted

Artists and scientists are invited to participate in Science Gallery Melbourne's innaugural exhibition, co-programmed with Science Gallery London.

Science Gallery Melbourne is calling for proposals from the arts, science and design community for its inaugural exhibition season, BLOOD: NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED, an exploration of the scientific, symbolic and strange nature of blood.

This provocative and engaging exhibition program will be held in various locations around the University of Melbourne campus and within the CBD from July to September 2017, ahead of the opening of an innovative new gallery space at the corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets, Carlton in 2020.

Embedded at the University of Melbourne, Science Gallery Melbourne is part of an award-winning international initiative where eight galleries across the globe generate exhibitions and programs derived from the local creative and scientific community, which can be shared through the global network and beyond.

BLOOD: NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED will be the first international collaboration for the global Science Gallery network, connecting Melbourne with Science Gallery London at Kings College through a program of events, activities, workshops and performances.

It will draw on work from the original BLOOD exhibition presented at Science Gallery Dublin, along with new projects sourced through this open call and via direct commissions.

“Science Gallery aims to inspire young adults through arts and science. It’s fitting that our first project, Blood, is core to our existence – it’s a universal theme enabling a local and global response,” said Director Rose Hiscock.

The Open Call process invites entries from around the world. Projects may be selected for the program in London, Melbourne or both.

“By programming the exhibition in both Melbourne and London the Science Gallery network opens up rare opportunities for Australian scientists, artists and designers to have their work shown internationally,” she said.

Science Gallery was conceived in 2008, with the aim of establishing partnerships with leading universities worldwide to create a new model of engaging 15-25 year olds with science.

The first iteration was launched to great acclaim at Trinity College Dublin in 2008, with London to follow in 2018, Melbourne in 2020, and a further gallery in development in Bangalore. Each shares a common mission: to ignite creativity and discovery where science and art collide.

In Melbourne, BLOOD will be led by Science Gallery Creative Director Ryan Jefferies, who is also curator of the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology at Melbourne University.

"Blood is literally at the heart of everyone's lives and we will be delving deep into theme, including exploring diseases of blood, racial identity and the taboo of menstruation," Dr Jefferies said.

Submissions for BLOOD: NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED open 14 November and close 8th January 2017.

Curatorial Advisory Panels, comprising both scientists and artists, will separately select works in Melbourne and London through the Open Call process, with results announced in February 2017.

Further information is available on the Science Gallery Open Call website.

Science Gallery Melbourne acknowledges our partners: Inaugural Foundation: Hugh Williamson Foundation