Concept/Design

The Buddy Bear is a sculpture in form of a bear whose open arms symbolise a spirit of friendship and optimism. The Buddy Bear is a project that has its roots in Berlin and aims to promote tolerance and understanding between people, cultures and religions. The bear in general is a symbol for Germany’s capital Berlin, which is twinning partner of the City of Windhoek since 2000. The Namibian Buddy Bear embodies the solidarity between Germany and Namibia.

Organizers

The Namibia Buddy Bear Project is carried out by the German Embassy in Windhoek, which will also provide the 22cm tall Buddy Bear.

Project Description

The Embassy is looking for a Namibian artist who shall create the artistic design and the colouring of the Namibian Buddy Bear with a Christmas-related theme. Furthermore they will provide the white bear sculpture as well as the working materials. A commission of 5.000 NAD will be paid. The artist has the freedom of the artistic design of the bear as long as it is Christmas-themed.

Call for Proposals

The German Embassy calls on visual artists, who are Namibian citizens or have a permanent residence in Namibia, to submit a design for the Namibia Buddy Bear by 25 October 2023. Please note that a complete proposal consists of:

- a draft of the Buddy Bear according to the attached template,

- an artistic concept of the drawing,

- a CV including copy of ID

Applications can be handed in at the German Embassy: Sanlam Centre, 6th Floor, Independence Avenue or electronically at ku-10@wind.diplo.de

Evaluation

The Embassy will announce the winning artist by 01 November 2023. The artist and the organizers will subsequently sign a project agreement. The Buddy Bear Project needs to be completed by 07 November 2023. The Embassy aims to use a photo of the completed Buddy Bear for their 2023 Christmas cards, the winning artist will be credited on the card.

Please note that employees of the German Embassy are prohibited from taking part in the competition. Any recourse to courts of law is excluded.

Technical Data

- The Buddy Bears are handmade out of glass-fibre reinforced plastic

- Height 22 cm

- The use of acrylic paint is strongly recommended

- The Buddy Bear sculptures are already primed and sanded. Before being painted the sculpture needs to be washed with water to remove any dust, grease or sand.

- The completed bear will be varnished

Please use attached sketch of the Buddy Bear for your design by printing it out.