Call for submissions: Soft Refractions
Xpace Cultural Centre is seeking moving image and multimedia-based work from student and emerging artists and/or designers for the group exhibition Soft Refractions curated by Mary Chen and Theresa Wang. The exhibition will run from January 18 – February 16, 2019.
When a ray of light passes from one medium to another, it does not proceed in a straight line; instead, it is refracted, or bent out of its course, causing a visible change in direction and speed. Soft Refractions is an exhibition that aims to use the optical phenomenon of refraction to explore shifting identity politics. Considering refraction as a way of navigating and destabilizing identity, how can it generate new ways of perception?
Artists are invited to consider refraction as a process of optics and engage with the material texture of their medium; they can also examine refraction as a conceptual framework. How can artistic media transform from one medium to another? How can refraction disrupt and alternate, restrict and create, or stabilize and destabilize? Artists are encouraged to explore social, racial, and/or economic issues as they relate refraction to identity.
This exhibition prioritizes artists that are Indigenous, Black, people of color, women, LGBTQ2+, people with disabilities, and members of other marginalized communities.
Keywords: Materiality, Optics, Identity, Stability/Instability, Acceleration, Deceleration, Cyber, Digital, Perception, Frequency, Vibration,
Works must be ready for exhibition by January 8, 2019. Selected artists will be notified in October 2018. All selected participants will be paid an artist fee for the exhibition.
To apply, you must provide:
1. Artist Statement (250-500 words): The Artist Statement should give a description of your overall practice as it relates to the project you are proposing.
2. Project Description (250-500 words): The project description should give a clear and concrete description of the work you are proposing for installation.
3. Technical Description: a list of all foreseeable technical requirements including equipment and materials necessary for installation within Xpace.
3. Curriculum Vitae (Max 3 pages): Your CV should include education and exhibition history, as well as any relevant experience, reviews, etc.
4. Visual Support Material with accompanying Support Material List (5-10 images and/or minutes of video): Images must be in JPG format. You may provide links to video work/documentation.
DEADLINE: October 5, 2018, 11:59pm
For any questions, please contact Philip Ocampo at [email protected].