MATCA artspace launches the call for projects Between Doom and Wisdom starting from recent global events that have made us feel that we are not very useful and ask ourselves how we can contribute what we know to make a difference.
“Although it is impossible for us to produce immediate change, we take advantage of the fact that we (still) have the freedom to say what we believe, that we are still here and can search or debate on values, on justice, equality and knowledge, that we are still here to care, or that there are currently alternatives and possibilities to improve things around us.
We seek to investigate common values and motivations or ‘demotivations’, while remembering that degradation, conflict, oppression, entropy and corrupt systems are universal, even archetypal. We seek through this series of exhibitions to investigate the relationship between obstacles and ways of overcoming or integrating them as part of everyday life – as a way of understanding them. At a time when reaction and change are increasingly needed, the most pertinent keyword for the present moment is RESILIENCE.
In order to talk about resilience, we will go back to what causes it to occur, or to be needed, specifically, to the negatively charged moments of more or less recent history to which we associate the term “DOOM” – while to the events that mobilize us to find solutions we will attribute the term “WISDOM”. We will seek to investigate our ability or even inability (as a society, individuals, communities) to overcome disruptive periods or contexts, and the things we take forward with us from these circumstances as initiation, information, change or evolution.
The topics we will want to approach can be expanded under several themes – we are interested in investigating representations of the two poles – doom & wisdom, and what lies between them.
We invite worldwide artists to develop/participate with contributions that can be identified as a reaction, action, expression, confrontation, or critique – namely how these attitudes can be framed or be elaborated in fields or themes such as – technology, science, ecology, solidarity, feminism, activism, liberation (etc) in search of ways through which artistic expression can oppose or contribute to changes.”
The call is open for submissions for two collective shows:
”Opposing the Neverchanging” –1st show opening on April 7, 2023
The exhibition will question our (human) abilities to stand up to injustice (DOOM), to speak out and react in order to challenge oppressive systems, to question how the power of reaction can generate in itself new perspectives and ways of seeing the world. The premise from which this exhibition departs is that there are still so many things that are socially stagnant, and art has the ability to at least identify them. Through this show we might represent feminist views, break taboos and overturn false histories, or invasive politics (…). In this context DOOM would mean injustice and oppression, and we will associate the term WISDOM with reaction and freedom of expression.
“Hacking the Future“ – 2nd show opening on May 12, 2023
Along with this exhibition we will seek to discuss about our abilities to generate perspectives of resilience through technologies, whether digital, ancestral, political, sci-fi, personal (..) you name it. We will seek through this exhibition to identify ways to slow down or undo the processes of degradation we go through along with what we have around us. We want to investigate the chances we have to reverse the predictions for the future made by the scientific world. We are also open to receive contributions for this exhibition that focus on “ancient alternative technologies” – from ancestral practices involving nature, plants, shamanism, witchcraft, or various rituals (etc.).
HOW TO APPLY
You can apply via email to: matcaartspacecall@gmail.com / subject: Between Doom And Wisdom
You can propose already existing works or works that will be produced specifically for the show you are applying for.
Submissions should include a pdf. portfolio including recent works – or website/portfolio link, and the documentation of the proposed work: photos, text argumentation & technical description of the work. In case the work you propose is going to be produced for the exhibition, you have to send sketches, images, or any other kind of material you have available to explain and present the proposed work(s) -> provide any relevant technical information related to your proposal.
Please do not send your proposals via transfer platforms that require downloading the content in a specific time, as the organiser might not be able to reach your application.
Notice MATCA artspace which is the exhibition you are applying for – the first, or the second one. Also, have in mind that in case you propose a work you will want to produce for the show, it should arrive in Cluj-Napoca at least 4-5 days before the exhibition dates (7.04 and 12.05).
7 artists who will participate in the two exhibitions will be selected through this call. There is also a list of invited artists who will also be part of the shows, along with the selected artists from the call.
The selected works will receive a fee of 1,000 lei (200 euro) – taxes included.
The call is open to artists world-wide, working under any kind of mediums. At least 3 years of professional practice are required to apply.
Deadline for proposals March 10, 2023 @ 23.59
More details regarding the OPEN CALL are available here.
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Cultural project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.
Partners: ArtCrawl Cluj, ASUAD Cluj, Asociația La Pătrat, VAGon, Qolony, EBS Radio, Via TV, Asociația Teatrală Shoshin, Propagarta, Empower Artists.
