Australian National Botanic Gardens artist in residence

Go to the artandthebryophye exhibition

During the course of this residency a Web Log (BLOG) of the Gardens' Artist in Residence, Julie Ryder was maintained:

(now discontinued) http://underthesun.anu.edu.au/weblogs/artandthebryophyte/

Artist Julie Ryder worked with Botanic Gardens scientist and bryophyte specialist, Chris Cargill, over the latter part of 2004 and early 2005.

Julie Ryder (left), Chris Cargill (right)
Julie Ryder, the artist, and Chris Cargill, the scientist

Background

Words from the initiator of this program, Rodney Harvey...

"For many centuries art and botany have been interlinked – and our botanic gardens themselves are an example of the art of landscape designers and horticulturists combining in a beautiful and informative landscape.

A few years back some of us at the Gardens began to wonder how we could start trying to link the work of artists, horticulturists and scientists in a way that challenged all the participants to explore different perspectives of the Gardens' role. The Gardens public art masterplan provided a framework for this to happen, providing artists with some conceptual 'starting points' to explore what the Gardens is all about.

The artist-in-residence program provides an opportunity to combine the high technology of science with an artist's special 'way of seeing'. Who knows what might result? – but I'm sure at the end of the process all the participants, and the Gardens' visitors, will have grown to a greater understanding of each others approach to understanding Australia's amazing plants."

ANBG's Public Art Program

In 2000 the Gardens, supported by the Friends of the Gardens, commissioned Ms Pamille Berg of MGT Architects to develop a Public Art Master Plan for the ANBG. Following stakeholder consultation and the approval of the Plan for implementation in late 2001, the Gardens engaged Ms. Berg as the ANBG Public Art Coordinator to oversee the inception of the Public Art Program. Ms. Berg has been responsible for the inception and coordination of both small and large public art programs in public buildings in the Australia, Asia, and the USA for over twenty years.

The Gardens involvement with the ANAT Synapse Art and Science Residency Program arose from this Public Art Program and the recommendation of Pamille Berg and the Public Art Advosory Committee.

ANAT Synapse Art and Science Residency Program

The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) called for proposals from Australian new media artists interested in working collaboratively in residence with one of several host science organisations, including the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Canberra.

These residencies are part of the Synapse Art and Science Residency Program which aims to build new creative partnerships between scientists and artists, science institutions and arts organisations.

It was envisaged that these residencies would provide the opportunity for artists to work with key areas of ongoing research and science expertise whilst contributing to the creative needs of the science organisation. This two-way process and desired outcomes of the residency would be developed in consultation with the science organisation, ANAT and the individual artist on selection of the successful projects.

These residencies are being managed by ANAT and are part of the Australia Council New Media Arts Board's Synapse Art and Science Initiative. The Synapse Art and Science Residency Program supports professional development and research opportunities for Australian new media artists.

[Original Tender document April 2004]