True False Film Festival Art Installations

Every year, True/False brings a multitude of talented visual artists from near and far to reinvent venues and transform public spaces. What began as a visual backdrop for our fest nineteen years ago is now an integral part of every aspect of what we do. We seek out creative, ambitious people and provide the tools to remake ordinary spaces into magical, ethereal environments. 

Additionally, we strive to provide a strong platform for expanding visual artists’ ability to create site-specific installations in unconventional spaces, providing a challenge for artists to explore beyond the traditional gallery atmosphere. We are excited to work with artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging artists to well-established exhibiting artists.

We encourage all interested artists to learn more about the Fest as a whole by exploring our website, and to read through the overarching Mission for the Ragtag Film Society, which speaks to our goals for Art Installations exhibited during the Fest.

We welcome questions at any and all points during the application process; please feel free to contact us at art@truefalse.org

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A PROPOSAL

True/False is looking for dynamic, original large-scale installations, sculptures, experiential work, and venue designs. Aesthetically, we encourage artists to use as inspiration the overarching ideas and mission of the festival (broadly, an immersive artistic experience that seeks to transform the everyday) and/or the year-specific theme.

In short, our ideal proposal embodies flexible specificity. That is, we are looking for proposals that have the flexibility to be modified to work in a variety of locations, but are rich in logistical details such as construction plans, aesthetics, intent, installation logistics, budget, and other relevant details and information. We have included examples of the required proposal narrative and the required budget below; we’re happy to provide additional examples upon request, and are always happy to answer any questions that you might have as you develop your proposal.

Due to the nature of our festival, T/F art installations tend to be both temporary (the Fest is 4 days; art installations are rarely up for longer than 6 days) and site-specific. There are a variety of sites that are potentially available. Some are interior, some exterior; some sites require that the art be suspended, others allow for art to be placed or secured to the ground, and some have the potential to combine both. Most locations have access to power. We have limited options for more traditional gallery work and video installations. Almost all of the art installations we exhibit are located in spaces that large groups of people move through or spend time in; this knowledge should inform your construction plans and design.  

To view past work created for T/F, please see our Instagram feed (@truefalseart), which showcases a variety of pieces both in progress and installed. If you have questions about specific past pieces, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Please note that all of the spaces we inhabit are either public spaces or are privately owned by organizations or individuals other than the Fest, and in some situations this may require additional information, permissions, or considerations. Once your proposal is accepted, we will work with you to determine (and prepare) any additional information, permissions, or considerations needed to install your piece.

Feel free to submit multiple proposals.

Collaborative proposals are permitted and encouraged.

We will accept proposals from anywhere in the world.

We have provided a Sample Narrative (actual proposal from T/F 2018; shared with permission from the artist) and a Sample Budget (totally made up) to assist you in the creation of those documents.

2022 THEME

Each year T/F adopts a visual theme and in 2022 it is In/visible Villages.  

With this theme the unseen is made visible, veils are lifted, and a newfound spirit is awakened. We take on a triple consciousness, performing acts of provocation, presence, and in/visibility. As always, we look to artists as the vanguard of discovery, partners in imagining new structures and broadening our collaborative spaces. 

We invite artists of all flavors to contribute acts of radical placemaking – manifesting the links between communities and forming the physical presence of True/False.

At T/F 2022, we ask visual artists to investigate and reevaluate our surroundings and partake in a blending of entities in plain sight and sight unseen. 

“The eye does not see things but images of things that mean other things.” — Italo Calvino

Dive deeply into the prompts and links below. 

PROMPTS 

Imaginary friends

“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” —Ralph Ellison (The Invisible Man)

Quantum Entanglement

Liminal (in-between) spaces; what it means to shift between the invisible and the visible.

Communal Fears (e.g. Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia, Megalophobia, Enochlophobia)

Active camouflage/cloaks/cloaking 

Ghosts! 

Constructive interference

Disguises. Costumes. Masked balls.

What destroys a community? What rebuilds it? 

TIMING AND DEADLINES

For T/F 2022, we will have one Open Call period, which will open July 13, 2021.

Proposals are due no later than November 18, 2021; we welcome early submissions.

Applicants will be notified via email by December 15, 2021.

The Fest will be held March 3 through 6, 2022. All accepted work will need to be complete (ready for install) by Friday, February 25, 2022; installation will occur no later than Thursday, March 3, 2022 (install dates will depend on location) and tear down will occur on March 7, 2022. We expect that all artists will install and take down their work, though we can provide assistance if needed.

All artists whose work is accepted will receivean Artist Pass to the Fest, which includes admission to films, events, and other benefits.

There is a small submission fee of $25.00.