The Pitch, June 08. Photo Tony Knox
Open Eye Projects - Local Artists’ Commissions
The Pitch
The Pitch was an experimental commissioning opportunity for Merseyside artists working with lens-based media. At an evening event in June 08, fifteen artists pitched for three small-scale commissions in front of a voting audience. Despite the playful format, the project emphasised support rather than competition, encouraging discussion, debate, networking and feedback in an open and inclusive atmosphere.
Liberally adapting a traditional film-pitching scenario, The Pitch functioned more as a sequence of artists’ talks that happened in different places around the gallery, announced only by projected images illustrating each idea.
The Pitch proposed an open, immediate and transparent alternative to traditional commissioning models. Artists were selected on a first-come-first-served basis, no proposal was required and there were no restrictions on how artists should present their ideas. All artists in Liverpool were eligible as long as they were working or intended to work with lens-based media. The selected artists were announced on the night with their names projected on the walls of the gallery.
Since the event, the commissioned artists Alex Wolkovicz, Amy Goring and Leon Seth have received mentoring and curatorial feedback on their developing projects from three mid career arts professionals in the North West: curators Ceri Hand (Ceri Hand Gallery) Lesley Young and James Hutchinson (Salford Restoration Office) and artist Pavel Buchler.
Feedback on The Pitch:
The event was brilliant, and one of the most positive things to happen in that context for a long time. I really enjoyed it!
I enjoyed it – a relaxed, interesting evening
Initially I had big reservations, but I thought it was well put together
Very good, well run and helpful for emerging artists. Great to hear artists talking!
Do you have any feedback on The Pitch or ideas for future commissioning events? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please send your suggestions, criticism and ideas to rebecca@openeye.org.uk.
