Rejoinders to Urban Art

The Town Design Biennial Competition: Rejoinders to Urban Art is a collaboration between the Town Design Certificate Program at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque Public Arts Program. The competition aims to inspire entrants to imagine ways to make cities and towns more enriching and soul-enlivening. Entrants are asked to propose works that respond to one of six existing pieces of Albuquerque's public art, create a dialog with the original work, and help define a public space such as a plaza or gateway. Images of the six artworks and their context are available at www.cabq.gov/publicart/rejounders.

The competition seeks graphically displayed ideas for public art, architecture, landscape architecture, and/or urban design that responds to one of the six existing artworks and its context. Proposals are evaluated on synergy (strengthening and respecting the aesthetic and rights of the original work, with no physical alteration or placement within 1' of the seed work), making public space (graciously defining a public space or urban form), and environmental responsibility (responsible construction, operation, and maintenance).

The jury may award a first prize of $1,000, up to three second prizes of $500 each, and up to three honorable mentions without monetary awards. The City of Albuquerque Arts Board may independently consider commissioning one proposal for realization at one of the selected sites, depending on availability of funds. Submissions must include one to six boards conforming to CAFÉ electronic submission requirements, a project statement of no more than 5,000 characters, and a $20 entry fee. The deadline for completed entries is April 4, 2009, 12:00 noon. Eligibility is open.