The university is calling out for submissions for ephemeral public art – art that will only exist for a year, and interacts with the public space of Inveresk in some way. 

Beyond that, the interpretation of the brief is up the artists’ creativity, said project director Dr Kim Lehman. 

“Commonly what you see with public art is a statue or a sculpture, interpretive walls and that sort of thing,” he said.

“So what we’ve done is taken that idea but are going to direct it at art that’s only out for a limited time.

“We’re quite open-ended about what it is that they can actually do. For example, it could be a dance performance, something happening each month over the period of a year. 

“It could be something that’s built and fades away, or it could be something that’s progressively built and then taken away. 

“There was a famous-ish one at Mona recently which was a head of Buddha in sand, with the idea that it would deteriorate over time.”

The call-out asks for art that speaks to the idea of public transformation, with works to begin being installed or performed from April next year. 

The commission can reference the notion that art can change people’s views on social issues, or that art can be inclusive, therapeutic, and contemplative, or simply be beautiful. 

Dr Lehman said the idea of this project was to start using the new $260 million Inveresk campus for cultural and artistic works as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the buildings to be built and then adding art afterwards. 

“It’s based on my desire for the arts and culture sector to play a leading role in the community – to influence and engage,” he said. 

“It’s about the university giving back in some way. I think arts and culture is quite powerful, and we’re wanting to explore some of the ways we can talk about the things that are going on here through art.”