RICE Initiative Open Call Nº4 · GUNS FOR PEACE
theme
Guns are a tool for power and oppression. They are powerful tools to dominate and subjugate, but they’re also a symbol of the stereotypes and roles that structure our society. Guns represent the traditional roles and vertical relations of oppressor and oppressed, of power and those obliged to obey. We are talking about states, about societies; but also about closer spaces, such as the workplace or our personal relationships.
However, behind this monolithic appearance of the world, we live in fragile times. The pandemic has changed our lives, our routines, our work, and the way we relate to each other; the same has happened with the possibility of having to face armed conflicts we thought had been overcome. Suddenly, what we thought impossible becomes reality.
Therefore, GUNS FOR PEACE is an invitation to critically rethink the role of weapons and their symbolism, in order to subvert their meaning and significance. Their aesthetic and design are iconic. We are looking for proposals that use their representation, that rethink their use as well as strength and power relations, from the public sphere to the closest and most intimate spaces.
eligibility
Artists of any nationality and age, evidencing a committed artistic career are welcome to submit their work.
All forms of two-dimensional and three-dimensional work in any medium are welcome, such as: painting, drawing, illustration, collage, street art, digital, printmaking, fiber, photography, installation and sculpture. There are no restrictions on the dimensions of work submitted.
selection process
The selection process will consist of three rounds of screening, the results of which will be notified to all candidates.
The second round of screening will result in the shortlist of artists who will be featured in Vol. 4 of RICE · The Contemporary Art Magazine Celebrating Equality and Inclusion. All shortlisted artists for the magazine will also be able to submit up to 10 artworks to be auctioned in partnership with liveauctioneers.com.
The third round of screening will decide on the list of artists who will participate in a group exhibit at FLIPA Art Gallery in Barcelona, Spain, in May 2022.
In accordance with our Open Call Quota System, at least 70% of selected artists will be women or members of the LGTBQ community or racialized persons, and 30% of selected artists will be cisgender males. (Read more on why we are doing this in our ABOUT section).
commissions and fees
There is a symbolic 3€ participation fee that will allow you to submit up to 10 artworks.
The participation fee is non-refundable - these funds will go towards supporting the initiative as well as to include art professionals in the process, aiming to enlarge the scope and impact of both our publications and exhibitions.
PHYSICAL AND ONLINE EXHIBITION:
Submitted work must be available for sale. If selected, artworks will remain at RICE’s disposition for up to 6 months from their publication so that the Initiative is able to carry out its commercial efforts.
Earnings from all artwork sales will go 50% towards the artists and 50% to RICE Initiative, these funds will be used to cover the expenses related to the curation and organization of exhibitions, print materials, marketing, and promotion activities.
Packing and shipping charges, insurance in transit, handling expenses, and loss or damage incurred in the delivery of artworks to and from RICE will be solely undertaken by the artist.
AUCTION:
Participation in the Auction Program is not mandatory.
The artworks submitted in the proposals will not be included for auction unless agreed upon individually with each artist. Shortlisted artists will be able to submit additional 5 to 10 artworks for the auction.
Earnings from the artwork sales during the auction will go 50% towards the artists and 50% to RICE Initiative.
Packaging charges will be assumed by the artist. Artists will also be responsible for sending the artworks to the collectors. However, shipping and insurance charges for the delivery of artworks from the artist to the collector, will be undertaken by each buyer.
In any case, selected artists WILL NOT incur in any other additional charges than those listed above.
how to apply
Fill our online submission form. It will require you to provide a Wetransfer.com or Dropbox link to the images you submit in JPEG format of the individual artworks, a bio, an artist statement, your artistic CV, website or social media link, and your contact details.
Filenames matter! Please label your files as NameSurname_title_year.jpg.
Please note all works submitted must be for sale.
Submissions sent via email or other channels will not be reviewed.
deadline
Submissions will be accepted until September 9th, 2022 (Midnight CET).
Shortlisted and selected artists will be informed via email by end of September 2022.
about our feedback program
We have suspended our feedback program due to over 80% of the artists not following through with the online sessions. However, we strongly recommend artists reach out to Artist Consultants and Artist Coaches in order to receive specialized career-focused advice.
contact
Please make sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions before contacting us.
If your question isn’t listed there, feel free to contact us at rice.submissions@gmail.com.
take a look at our past and current open calls
