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Call for Artists

Dialogo 365 - Freedom / Liberty / Independence
A Group Exhibition commemorating the Bicentennial of Venezuela's Independence

In commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of Venezuela's Independence, Casa de Venezuela – a nonprofit cultural organization that fosters the advancement of Latin American and Latino art – is calling for submissions from emerging and established visual artists in all media interested in participating in a group exhibition to be staged at The Trust Venue in Philadelphia, PA during the month of October, 2011. The intertwining themes for the exhibition are: FREEDOM / LIBERTY / INDEPENDENCE

The goal is to tap into the rich Latin@, Latin American and Caribbean artistic production throughout the Northeast Coast of the US, in order to cull a series of works that comment on the themes of FREEDOM / LIBERTY / INDEPENDENCE as inspiration for diverse and versatile artistic expression. For many artists around the world, their daily struggle is in fact the means through in which they learn to create for themselves conditions, circumstances, and opportunities, to explore their understanding and interpretation of what freedom may be, or stand for, on both profound and superficial levels of expression. The production of art and (in the case of the West) the quests for individualism through free expression have been more often than not strong allies throughout modern and recent history. Contemporary art and artists in/from Latin@ USA, Latin America, and the Caribbean have experienced a tremendous resurgence, in both measurable and intangible ways during the last decade, and stretching as far back as the dawning of modernism. Based on the tracing of patterns of globalized circulation, and the sustained critical acclaim in forums like international biennials, art competitions, fairs, and related events, it is easy to say that Latin American art is now one of the hottest commodities in the art markets, both national and international.

Some critics have ventured as far as referring to the more often than not intense political tensions that reign “South of the Border” as key factors for a certain mystique that includes yet transcends mere exoticism, an allure that has renewed the interest and attention on what is being produced coming from museums, collectors, critics, art historians, cultural workers, social scientists, and general audiences filling galleries, art fairs, auctions, and art institutions, whenever Latin@, Latin American, and/or Caribbean art is on view and/or for sale. This exhibition will consider these represented realities as they relate to topics to explore powerful idea(l)s in action: FREEDOM/LIBERTY/DEMOCRACY. At the same time, the celebration of the Venezuela’s Independence Bicentennial will also provide thematic fuel: with the country’s rich and complex history, its heroes, and the paths of struggle followed towards emancipation from imperial geopolitics. Finally, the purpose of the exhibition is first and foremost to enable the visitors to have a relevant aesthetic experience that is both timely and inspiring, while celebrating the ideals and real manifestations of FREEDOM/LIBERTY/DEMOCRACY as universal aspirations of humankind.

 

Casa de Venezuela's 2011 Exhibition
DIALOGO 365 @ The TRUST Venue

The Trust Venue is a magnificent 30,000 ft² (2,787 m²) historical building located in the art gallery corridor of Old City, in downtown Philadelphia. It operates as a rental facility hosting exclusive events such as weddings and private receptions. There are liability limitations to the kinds of artwork that can be considered for DIALOGO 365, and representations of nudity and/or works of an explicit nature will not be allowed on the walls by the Trust's administration.
Three-dimensional works will be carefully vetted since the event visitors through the various rooms in the venue need to remain fully open. There are receding areas in the venue that allow for sculptural work, but again, each submission will be carefully evaluated by the Chief Curator and a supporting Artistic Committee consisting of a select group of artists closely affiliated with Casa de Venezuela.

Submissions are welcome from artists based along the North-South axis of the East Coast of the USA and will be accepted only in digital formal via the application form in this website. Every artist is fully responsible for the transportation of their work to and from the Trust Venue, and the dates of delivery, installation, and pick up are strictly firm due to the venue's busy rental schedule.

There is a submission fee per artist of $30, and each artist can submit up to three works for consideration in JPEG format (@ 300dpi for use in printed media). Images need to be accompanied by an artistic resume and a short bio that will be used for the catalog publication accompanying the exhibition.

Submissions and payment must be received by August 26th, 2011 at 5:00pm ET in order to be considered for the exhibition.

Artists may choose to offer their works of art for sale during the exhibition. The artist must indicate whether a submitted piece of art is for sale, as well as the sale price. A commission of 45% will be deducted from the sale price.

Casa de Venezuela is a non for profit 501(c)3 organization; its mission is to promote the culture, traditions, folklore and roots of Venezuela in the Delaware Valley region, also known as The Greater Philadelphia region, through cultural, artistic, educational, community and social events and programs.

 

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