Description

LUBICA– the Lucca Biennale Cartasia – is the world's largest event dedicated to paper as an artistic and architectural expression.. It takes place every two years in Lucca, Tuscany. Since its foundation in 2004, LUBICA has been committed to promoting tradition, culture, sustainability and innovation. The 13th edition will take place in 2026. LUBICA aims to bring together artists looking for a challenge who want to 'educate about beauty', care for others and think outside the box to offer new perspectives.
The 13th edition theme will be "Real - Unreal", an invitation to explore the boundary between reality and imagination, in a world increasingly shaped by digital narratives and evolving perceptions.

13th edition theme: "Real - Unreal"
This theme invites us to explore the fragile boundary between reality and unreality, between what we perceive as concrete and what belongs to the realm of dreams, imagination, or artificial construction. In an era where digital technologies, media narratives, and virtual reality are redefining our relationships with ourselves and the world, this theme prompts reflection on the nature of perception, truth, and deception. "Real - Unreal" invites investigation into how the unreal manifests within the real and shapes it and how the real can, in turn, transform into something imaginary, symbolic, or illusory. Artists, curators, audiences, and all those involved in the Biennale will be called upon to engage with this tension by designing installations, creating artworks, and experiencing situations that challenge perception, subvert expectations, and expand the boundaries of what we consider "true."

OPEN CALLS 2026
The open calls for LUBICA 2026 are now live:

- Artist Residency (Outdoor & Indoor): One-month residency to create works on paper. Selected works will be included in the outdoor section, where artworks are exhibited in the main squares of Lucca, and the indoor section, where artworks are exhibited in exhibition venues.

- Indoor Sections (Art, Fashion, Video Art, Design): Submit artwork and/or designs, either already created or to be developed independently, for the exhibition. This call allows for participation in the four sections listed above. Art, Fashion, Video, and Design.

The application deadline is September 18th, 2025.