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Major Project Grant

Application Form, 2009

Deadline: February 8, 2008, 5 p.m.

Projects must take place between September 2007 and August 2008

Applicant: Elizabeth Stephens

Department: Art Rank: Professor

E-mail:estephe@ucsc.edu

Descriptive title of project: The Hills are Alive!

StudioWork/Photography and Drawing

Category: (X) Individual ($2000-$10,000) or( ) Collaborative ($2000-$20,000)

Amount requested from ARI: $9568.88
Amount received: $2,900 

Date:7/7/08

Project description: Maximum of 350 words – use12-point type.

Proposals whose descriptions exceed 350 words will not be sent to the committee.

Individualprojects will be evaluated on potential national/international impact,originality, contribution to the field, feasibility, and likelihood ofcompletion (which includes evidence of the applicant’s record of productivity).

This past year I exhibited drawings,photographs, sculpture and video installations in two very successful artexhibits in France and San Francisco in addition to performing in theaters inthe US and Europe. In the processof developing and focusing on performance these past few years I have not hadthe time to produce as much visual art as I would like. Now I’d like to returnto making more solo visual art works.

I propose to make a series oflarge-scale digital photographs that will incorporate drawing, text andcollage. The content of this work will explore eco feminism, class andmemory. I intend to focus onimages of mountain top removal in Appalachia, where I grew up. This project is inspired by acombination of events from this past year that influenced me deeply. The first event was a lecture that thepublic intellectual Bell Hooks gave at UCSC. In this lecture she clearly articulated the connection offeminism, race, the environment and spirituality in a way that I had neverheard woven quite so eloquently together before. I was moved by the way that she talked about the horriblepractice of mountain top removal and its devastating effects, not only on thelandscape but upon the people who live in and are cradled by thatlandscape. The second thing thathappened was that I began working with Newton Harrison on a graduate schoolproposal that will utilize whole system methods of studying and approachingglobal problems. He and his partner Helen were early pioneers of environmental art and their work isextremely relevant to this era. Finally, the last time that I flew over West Virginia, I noticed thatthe wreckage of the landscape was much more severe than it had been just a fewyears before. It made regular strip mining look environmentally conscious andit was heart breaking. The need tobring attention to this situation is urgent. Creating powerful images that critique mountain top removalwould provide me with a point of entry to begin engaging in conversations aboutthis issue through art.

 

Budget and Justification

Apply onlyfor funds needed; awards will normally be less than the allowable maximum. Inthe space beneath each category, provide details for each expense.

Expense Category DollarAmount

Salariesand wages (honoraria, researchassistance, etc.) $1,200

(Listpersonnel and pay rates as applicable.)

Photography assistant to aid in preparing thephotographs for printing, and archiving.

8 hours per week for 10 weeks @$15 dollars per hour

Equipment (specify equipment type with prices) quotes fromB&H Photo

Nikon D300 with18-135mm Lens +memory card $2179.95

Nikon MB-D10multi power battery grip $ 259.95

Nikon EN-EL4aRechargeable Lithium Battery $ 109.95

1 Sandisk 16Gig Extreme CompactFlash Card $ 199.95

Lowepro LensCase $ 34.95

Nikon semi softcamera case $ 79.95

$2864.70 +35 shipping

$2899.70 total

Domestictravel (specify destinations andmeans of travel)

(2)Round trips San Francisco to Charleston, West Virginia

DeltaAirlines (21 advance day purchase) $671 per ticket $1342

CarRental for 2 weeks, 179 per week $358

Fuel $200

$1900 + 8% tax

$2052total

Other(provide details for each expense)

Meal andincidental expenses, two weeks @ $64 per day $896

Lodging 8nights Comfort Inn, Beckley, WV @ $65 per night $520

$1416+8%tax

$1529.28total

Digital Printing at Rayko Photo in San Francisco

(6) 50″x60″ color print on Hahnemuhle Photo RagPaper@$290 ea. $ 1740+8.5%

$1887.90 total

TOTAL EXPENSES $9568.88

Income anticipated from other sources $2000 COR to be submitted in March for additional photographic anddrawing supplies

(Specify any anticipated income, whether secure or pending;include COR funds, external funding applications, etc.

TOTALANTICIPATED INCOME $2000

Requested from ARI $9568.88