commission of one artwork for silent disco headphone system at Theater De Veste in collaboration with Highlight Delft and iii

Highlight Delft, Theater de Veste and iii are looking for artists who like to create an audio artwork in Theater de Veste, which will premiere at the Highlight Festival on 16-18 February 2023 in Delft. After this premiere, the audio artwork will be presented on a regular basis in Theater de Veste around their programming. Theater de Veste has a broad audience with over 20.000 yearly visitors.

We welcome proposals in the domains of (including and not limited to): site-specific, participatory, audio drama, spoken word, experimental music, sound art and related fields. We are especially keen on receiving proposals which engage with the public, the location and the silent disco system in an original and creative way.

For the development and the creation of the artwork, the artist will receive a fee of € 3.000 euro (ex Dutch VAT). Applications are welcome until the 1st of November. After the deadline, all ideas will be reviewed and in one week after closure of the deadline will all applicants receive a reply.

Timeline for the project:

• 1 november | deadline for applications
• 8 november | idea for artwork selected, start realization of artwork
• Half December | work in progress / concept try out presentation of artwork
• 16-18 februari | premiere of artwork at Highlight Delft

Theater de Veste is the largest theater in Delft. It’s located in the city center and presents itself as the theater of now and the future, in line with the city of innovation in Delft. Theater de Veste is known for its broad qualitative programming. From theater shows to panels and discussions about innovation. There are at least 250 shows or events on a yearly basis, attracting over 80.000 visitors. The theater consists of a large theater hall with over 500 seats. Around this theater hall are foyers where visitors can have a drink, this is the place where the audio artwork will be presented.

Highlight Delft is an art & technology festival inspiring people to think about, experience and shape their life and living environment with (new) creative applications of technology. The annual event presents future ideas made by creative application of technology. 20 installations, artworks, prototypes and other tangible future ideas made by artists, designers, researchers, tech companies and students are scattered all throughout the city and campus in Delft on indoor- and outdoor locations. 

iii (instrument inventors initiative) is an artist run, community platform supporting new interdisciplinary practices linking performance, technology and the human senses. Arising from the ArtScience tradition of The Hague, iii strives to balance technological innovation, theoretical reflection and human experience. iii contributes to international developments in the field of Art, Science & Technology, functioning both as a cultural incubator supporting research and creation, and as an agency connecting creators to a broad audience via a wide (inter)national partner network.

Format Specifications:

• 50 wireless headphones available
• Headphones located in the foyers of the theater, the range is limited to 200m, these have full coverage inside the theater
• Artwork should be delivered in the format of single stereo WAV file
• Artwork will start automatically on the headphones and either run as a continuous loop, or start at fixed and announced times with only short breaks in between
• Each headphone has two audio channels* of which always one channel will be available for the artwork. The second channel can be used for the artwork but might also be used regularly for promotional activities of the Theater in the future. Both proposals for a single channel and dual channel artwork will be taken into consideration equally. *The headsets (K9 RGB LED equivalent) are technically a three channel system, but there is strong interference on the 3rd channel within the building. 

The theater contains two foyers, the Grand Foyer, which includes the entrance to the theater, the cloakroom, and the entrance to the Theaterzaal (the large hall with 500 seats), and the Theatercafé, with approximately 100 seats. Both foyers have a bar where visitors can get a drink before and after the shows. These are designed to surprise visitors with other ideas besides the theater shows that are running.

The artwork can be created for the Grand Foyer or both foyers (including the Theatercafé). Be aware that there will be programming in the Theatercafé on selected evenings. Proposals or only the Grand Foyer or both foyers will be taken into consideration.

To apply, please send an email introducing yourself, your motivation to apply and a clearly defined project proposal. In the project proposal please describe briefly your artistic concept, the method of realization and the envisioned audience experience. Please include links to websites, videos, social media sites etc where we can find clear documentation of relevant previous work.

Send your applications to: art@highlightdelft.nl clearly stating OPEN CALL in the subject of the email. 

Selection of the artwork will be done by Simon Aerts (Highlight Delft), Mirjam Wesselink (Theater de Veste) and Matteo Marangoni (iii)