Event Details

Are you a Georgia Tech student (undergrad, grad, or PhD) whose work or interests fall into the disciplines of Architecture, Industrial Design, Environmental Engineering, or Materials Science? Georgia Tech Arts is offering an opportunity for two students to travel to Puerto Rico in May 2023 to work collaboratively with a local artist and oceanographer on an immersive underwater sculpture.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

arte_FITS Foundation (based in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico) is excited to partner with Georgia Tech Arts on a multi-year initiative to develop and create ephemeral art projects. In this inaugural year of this initiative, Puerto Rican sculptor Luis Torruella will team up with his brother oceanographer Dr. Alfredo Torruella to create a unique underwater sculpture that not only provides an interesting experience for the viewer - but more importantly, a habitat for fish and coral -- which is vital for the ecology of Dorado Beach’s marine life. The intended design will be structured to be viewed from above, as well as for viewers to enjoy by swimming or floating through the sculpture.

For this crucial developmental step, we are in search of students (undergrad; grad; PhD) whose work falls into the disciplines of  Architecture, Industrial Design, Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science - but all students with interest/experience in these areas are encouraged to apply. The basis of the pre-work will focus on designing and prototyping the structures, with fabrication of the structures beginning once on the ground in Puerto Rico.

Requirements:

Must be available to meet once/weekly (60 minutes each) via Teams with the artist and oceanographer for touch base meetings as early as mid-January 2023, leading up until departure to Puerto Rico in mid-May 2023

Must be physically able to travel to Dorado, Puerto Rico in mid-May 2023 and spend two weeks immersing yourself in the local culture with other students and working collaboratively with local artist Luis Torruella at his studio in Dorado Beach

Knowledge of 3D vector-based designed programs

Covered by Georgia Tech:

Roundtrip flight costs for the two chosen students

Daily per diem while in Puerto Rico

Local ground transportation to/from airport; Luis’ studio; hotel, etc.

Housing on site at arte_FITS Foundation's Artist Residence for the entirety of stay

Participation stipend for work before Puerto Rico visit

Selection Process:

A diverse panel will review all of the submissions once the application window closes EOD Thursday, January 12. Applicants we consider moving forward may be contacted for a Teams interview with GT Arts staff, the artist and oceanographer. Work will begin in mid- to late-January with weekly touch base meetings every week until May begins - with a few longer preparation meetings happening a week before departure to Puerto Rico.

If you have any questions about this program or the applicant call, please reach out to Nathalie Matychak nathalie.matychak@arts.gatech.edu

Learn more about arte_FITS on Instagram at @arte_fits.foundation.

Primary image: Taino symbol for the coqui, being considered for the layout of the sculptural reef

Image 2: Artificial reef designed by oceanographer Dr. Alfredo Torruella

Image 3. Arte_FITS façade, Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico