Illuminated Bird Sculptures
Style: Whimsical and Cute
Location: Somerville, MA
Eligibility: Somerville-based artists preferred; open to New England
Artwork Type: Sculpture (12 identical birds, each 6"-9.5" tall)
Budget: $2,000 all-in
About Midnight Mansion and Edge of Elsewhere
Midnight Mansion creates immersive, narrative-driven environments that blend art, technology, and physical space.
Edge of Elsewhere is an indoor immersive venue inviting visitors to explore themed environments and interact with installation elements. The mural will live inside this environment and contribute directly to the atmosphere and identity of the space.
Project Overview
We are commissioning twelve identical sculptural bird forms, each measuring approximately 6”–9.5” in height, for installation inside Edge of Elsewhere, located in Somerville, MA.
The birds will be mounted along scenic overhead “power lines” and “poles”. Positioned up to 10 feet above the ground and primarily viewed from approximately 15 feet away, the forms must read clearly and instantly as birds in both illuminated and unlit states.
The aesthetic direction is whimsical and cute. We are seeking strong, readable silhouettes that feel charming and intentional without drifting into hyper-realism. Clarity of form is essential given the viewing distance and lighting conditions.
Each bird must be translucent and designed to accommodate internal RGBW LED illumination, selected in conjunction with Midnight Mansion (lighting cost covered by Midnight Mansion). The sculptures should remain visually legible when unlit, while transforming when illuminated from within by up to at least 6 different colors. Lighting may range from subtle glow to more expressive color moments. The unit look of the sculptures need to consider the wide range of colors the bird will take on when illuminated (as to not clash lit vs unlit).
This is a climate-controlled interior installation within a low-light, theatrical environment. Final sculptures must be durable, flame-retardant, and suitable for permanent installation without requiring ongoing touch-ups or modification. Even though guests will be unable to physically touch the sculptures, they should be able to hold-up to regular cleaning, dusting and potential repositionings in our venue.
Budget
The total budget for this project is $2,000, inclusive of:
- Artist fee
- Design and revisions
- Materials and supplies
- Integration considerations for internal LED lighting (but not the purchase of lighting elements)
- Delivery of twelve finished sculptural units to Midnight Mansion Studio
Scope of Work
- Initial concept and rough sketch aligned with the theme
- One to two rounds of design refinement
- Fabrication of twelve identical sculptural bird forms
- Integration planning for internal RGBW LED lighting
- Coordination with Midnight Mansion regarding mounting specifications and technical requirements
- Delivery of completed sculptural units ready for installation
Installation will be handled by the Midnight Mansion.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Artistic quality and strength of visual voice
- Relevance to an immersive interior environment
- Quality of past work (technology integrated sculptural works preferred)
- Feasibility within the stated budget and timeline
Submission Requirements
Please submit the following as a single PDF or a set of links:
- Short artist bio (1–2 paragraphs)
- Portfolio samples (tech-integrated sculptures if available)
- A brief concept sketch or written idea responding to the theme
- A short note on materials and approach
- An estimated timeline
How to Apply
Send submissions and questions to art@midnightmansion.com
Subject line: Bird Sculpture Proposal