Open Call: OPEN FIELDS

The Institute for Art in Public Space Styria is holding a one-stage, open call competition. Artists of all disciplines are invited to explore the topic OPEN FIELDS—Art and Agriculture. They will spend two to four weeks on a farm and develop, as a result of their insights gained from this stay, a temporary work of art. Submissions by artists are accepted until April 1, 2022, 12pm CET.

Reflections on the sensitive and multifaceted interaction between human beings and nature have existed since prehistory in the form of art. The project OPEN FIELDS focuses on essential aspects at the local level, namely those of agriculture in direct encounter with art, because both are and provide necessities for the society.

Aspiring regional artists as well as established international artists of all disciplines are invited to explore the topic of art and agriculture. This will initially take the form of stays with a farmer in Styria for a minimum of two to a maximum of four weeks, if possible, as early as 2022. These stays will be organized by the Institute for Art in Public Space Styria, covering all areas of agriculture from mountain farmers to winegrowers (fruit, vegetable, grain cultivation, animal husbandry, forestry and dairy farming, etc.) in various Styrian regions. As the result of the insights gained from this stay, a temporary work is to be developed and implemented either this year or in 2023 at the respective location.

Eligibility criteria
–Artists and artist collectives of all nationalities over the age of 18 are entitled to participate in the call.
–We are looking for innovative project ideas from all artistic disciplines (music, literature, performance, film, digital media, visual arts, etc.).
–There are no limits to creativity in terms of technology and materials, as long as the works deal with the given topic.
–Interactive and participatory concepts are also welcome.
–The locations, meaning the farms and their tracts of land, are predetermined; the dimension of implementation is open.
–Depending on the project idea submitted, the jury will bring the artists together with the farms.
–The projects can deviate from the initial intentions and be further developed and specified during the stay at the respective farm. However, you have to deal with topics of the selected type of agriculture.
–Although the projects are basically intended to be temporary, they can also remain permanent in consultation and with the consent of the farmers.

Submission documents
–Personal data (first and last name, date of birth, address, e-mail, telephone number)
–Artistic résumé
–Intention and plan for the project, as far as possible
–Schedule with preferred dates and length of stay at the farm
–Explanatory photos, sketches, descriptions, etc.
–Cost calculation (production, material, technology, assembly and dismantling, any external services, restoration, fees, etc.) with a maximum limit

The call for artists is open until April 1, 2022, 12pm (CET).

View submission details and further information here.