Description

Open Call: "Embodied Realities" Hybrid Collective Art Exhibition – Exploring The Body in Contemporary Contexts
Launch Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Exhibition Duration: April 12 – June 12, 2025
Location: Kulturnest, Sin-el-Fil, Lebanon & Virtual Exhibition Space

CONCEPT: The Body as a Canvas, The Body as a Battlefield
Kulturnest is thrilled to announce an open call for its upcoming hybrid collective exhibition, "Embodied Realities. " Artists from all disciplines—painters, sculptors, photographers, performance artists, digital creators, illustrators, poets, musicians, filmmakers, multimedia artists, AI-focused artists, and more—are invited to explore the profound theme of the body.

The body is universal and deeply personal. It is a site of joy, hope, suffering, resistance, identity, and transformation. In a world shaped by wars, shifting social dynamics, political turmoil, and technological advancement, the body becomes a canvas for self-expression and a record of lived experiences.

SUB-THEMES TO INSPIRE YOUR WORK
We encourage artists to reflect on one or more of the following sub-themes, offering an open space for diverse interpretations:

The Body in Times of War: How do wars inscribe themselves onto bodies? How do trauma, survival, and resilience manifest physically and emotionally? In Lebanon and the Southwestern Asian region, where histories of conflict are etched into collective and individual bodies, this theme invites raw and honest artistic responses.
Gendered Bodies: How do societal constructs of gender shape our experiences of our bodies? How do artists challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and reclaim agency through their depictions of gender and bodies?
The Digital Body: With virtual realities, AI-generated avatars, and hyper-connectivity, how do digital spaces reimagine the human body? What happens when the body transcends physical limitations in virtual spaces?
The Political Body: Bodies are often politicized – used as tools of protest, symbols of oppression, or vessels of resistance. How do artists engage with the body as a site of political expression?
The Fragile Body: Aging, illness, and mortality remind us of the body's fragility. How do artists confront, accept, or rebel against the body's limits?
The Celebrated Body: In contrast, the body is also a space for joy, dance, movement, and physical expression. How do artists celebrate the beauty and vitality of the human form?
The Environmental Body: How do bodies interact with nature and urban spaces? How does pollution, environmental decay, or sustainable living affect our physical and emotional well-being?
The Future of the Body: In an era of rapid technological advancement, the boundaries of the human body are being redefined. From augmented bodies enhanced by technology to bionic limbs, robotic integrations, and the philosophical questions raised by transhumanism, this sub-theme invites artists to explore the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. How do these advancements challenge our understanding of identity, mortality, and physicality? Are we on the brink of a new era of hybrid bodies, and what does this mean for our shared humanity? This sub-theme encourages reflections on the futuristic possibilities and ethical dilemmas surrounding the body in the digital and post-human age.
These are just starting points. We invite you to push boundaries and share your unique interpretation of the body.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
Physical Exhibition: Held at Kulturnest, Sin-el-Fil, Lebanon.
Virtual Exhibition: A 3D online gallery accessible worldwide.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Gain exposure in a hybrid physical-virtual exhibition model.
Be part of a glocal (local/global) conversation on contemporary artistic expressions of The Body.
International reach through our online platforms and virtual exhibition space.
Opportunity to network with fellow artists, curators, and art enthusiasts.
Your work could remain available for purchase on our eShop/Gallery beyond the exhibition dates, with the possibility of adding other works after the exhibition.
Kulturnest will make every effort to enhance the chances of sales; however, sales are not guaranteed given the current situation in Lebanon. The exhibition primarily focuses on visibility, connectivity, and fostering meaningful artistic exchanges.

PARTICIPATION CATEGORIES AND FEES
At Kulturnest, our hybrid exhibition offers two participation options tailored for different artist profiles:

Artists Residing in Lebanon:
Hybrid Display (Physical & Virtual): $100 participation fee. Your work will be showcased in our physical gallery space in Sin-el-Fil and the virtual exhibition. Please note: the art exhibition curator will make the final selection on which artworks will be displayed hybridally (physically and virtually) and which will be showcased exclusively in the virtual exhibition, based on the nature, dimensions, medium, and presentation requirements of each piece.
Virtual Display Only: $75 participation fee. Your work will be featured exclusively in the virtual exhibition.
International Artists:
Virtual Display Only: $75 participation fee. International artists are invited to exhibit their work exclusively in the virtual exhibition space.
Video & Multimedia Submissions (All Artists):
All video-based works—such as short films, music performances, poetry recitations, or digital multimedia pieces—will be featured exclusively in the virtual exhibition, regardless of the artist's location. The participation fee for video submissions is $75.
These tailored options ensure accessibility and flexibility while maintaining the integrity of our hybrid exhibition model. For further inquiries or clarifications, feel free to contact us at hello@kulturnest.com or +9613008245 (WhatsApp message).

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application file to hello@kulturnest.com by February 15, 2025. Your email should be titled: "EMBODIED REALITIES EXHIBITION APPLICATION."

Your application must include:

Artist Full Name
Social Media Links (URLs, not only usernames)
WhatsApp Contact Number (including the country code)
Artist Statement (max. 250 words) explaining how your work relates to the theme
Artist Biography (max. 250 words) – C.V.s are not accepted
Up to 5 High-Resolution Images (1600 x 1600 px, JPG or PNG, each image should not exceed 1MB) of relevant artwork with detailed descriptions (title, art technique, medium/material, dimensions in cm, weight in grams, production year & narrative/context). For videos of music, poetry recitation, or short movies: MP4 via WeTransfer (each video should not exceed 8 MB). Ensure that your images and videos are labeled with the titles of your artworks for easy identification.
To help you write your biography and artwork descriptions (format and content), examples are found here:

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Artist Portrait Photo (black & white, square format, 1600 x 1600 px, JPG or PNG)
Artwork Prices (i.e. your asking price; Kulturnest will add a 35% commission on sales + 11% VAT to be paid by the client).
Indicate which display you are applying to: hybrid or virtual only.

Optional - a short video (Instagram Reel format, max 1 minute) introducing the artist, sharing insights about the artist’s art, and briefly explaining how the artworks connect to the exhibition's theme. If the artist is selected, this video will be featured as part of the exhibition's marketing campaign. The videos are essential for building a personal connection with the audience, offering a glimpse into the artist's creative world, and enhancing the visibility and impact of both the artist and the exhibition.
All application files must be complete and include all required information. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

PAYMENT DEADLINE:
Upon receiving Kulturnest's acceptance email by February 25, non-refundable fees must be settled by March 5, 2025:

For Local Artists: Via cash payment in-person at Kulturnest or OMT/Western Union (artists should pay the transfer fees).
For International Artists: Via OMT/Western Union (artists should pay the transfer fees).
Failure to complete the payment and sign the agreement by the specified deadline will result in the termination of the collaboration.

KEY DATES:
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
Selection Announcements by email: February 25, 2025 [check your spam folder]
Payment & Agreement Deadline: March 5, 2025
Exhibition Launch: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Exhibition Ends: Thursday, June 12, 2025
At Kulturnest, we believe in the power of art to tell stories, challenge norms, and foster connection. "Embodied Realities" is not just an exhibition; it’s a dialogue, an encounter, and a reflection of our shared human experience.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and embarking on this journey together!

For inquiries, reach out to Dr. Pamela Chrabieh at hello@kulturnest.com or +9613008245.