Open call: Stereotypes on Poland

Studio of Socially Engaged Art “Rewiry” invites all artists from Europe, especially those from countries neighbouring with Poland, to submit their ideas for the exhibition and action “Art on the market 5”, entitled "Stereotypes on Poland."

From the organisers:

How do the Poles look in the eyes of the Europeans? We announce an open call for art projects which by means of creative activities will answer this question. We are interested in an interpretation of the task of how - with one artistic action - one canclearly illustrate the stereotypes about Poland, but also mutual relations between Poland and other European Union countries.

We understand stereotypes as beliefs characterized with 'saturation with values and emotions, simplification and excessive generalization. Another characteristic of stereotypes is their rigidity and durability, resulting from the rejection of information undermining stereotypes and susceptibility to information that confirms it."* Stereotypes can relate to both the positive aspects of the image of a Pole, as well as the negative.

We do not set any thematic or formal restrictions. We want to look at ourselves with the eyes of the Europeans, go through the typical stereotypes of compatriots living in the country and beyond its borders and begin a constructive dialogue with them.

The Open Call relates to two actions:

1. 1. Art on the market - 5th edition: This is an annual artistic action, consisting of a dozen creative interventions that take place during the largest agricultural and food marketplace in the Eastern Poland – Elizówka. A space seemingly not associated with art, becomes for one day a field of artistic activities. Exhibitions, stands, installations and happenings are created, fitting into the landscape of the marketplace and seeking to correspond with this landscape. The project is set for the confrontation of art in the presence of the artist, with an often non-anticipating anything viewer. - the customer of the market. We believe that such a collision is interesting and inspiring for both parties. The subject of the prepared works often touched upon the current social problems and interprets them. The purpose of art on the market is to present often difficult projects, but one worthy of attention due to their critical and creative character. We expect projects of installations, site-specific works and related, presenting or commenting on the broadly understood topic: the stereotypes concerning Poland. We look forward to a maximally interactive character of the proposed works, that will enter into a dialogue with the customer and encourage participation. It is certainly a challenge, given the nature of the place and the people who visit the marketplace. The challenge that we have decided to take on: how to talk about important and difficult issues with the means of artistic actions in a way both interesting, intriguing and accessible for the average hypothetically not art-oriented audience. We invite mainly the artists from the countries neighbouring with Poland to apply for this competition.
2. 2. At the same time we announce an Open Call for the exhibition of the same title: "Stereotypes on Poland." We look forward to receiving drawings, paintings, photographies, objects, videos and other works that will best illustrate the proposed topic. To apply for this competition we invite all interested artists. The exhibition will be held in Lublin.

Ad. 1 The action will take place on June 12th, 2016 at the largest agricultural and food marketplace in Elizówka

Ad. 2 The exhibition "Stereotypes about Poland" will be held on June 17th, 2016 in Lublin.

Deadline: 15 April. More information and info on how to apply here.