Open Call for Applications:

Exhibition Project — Static Cinema
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‍An independent event running alongside Venice’s film month.

‍Deadline: August 2, 2025
Exhibition Dates: August 29 – September 24, 2025
Participation in the open call is free of charge.

Art-Icon, a non-profit organization supporting emerging voices in contemporary visual art, invites photographers and artists to apply for the international exhibition Static Cinema, which will take place in Venice, Italy, during the international film season.

The project explores photography as an art form in dialogue with cinema, visual culture, and contemporary media. Particular attention is given to works that capture frozen gestures, suspended movement, or cinematic atmosphere — resembling film stills or inspired by the visual language of cinema. The exhibition brings together established names and new talents who work at the intersection of photography and film.

‍Exhibition Overview

‍The exhibition will be held at Cantiere Crea, a historic 19th-century industrial workshop on the island of Giudecca, formerly dedicated to gondola craftsmanship and shipbuilding. This distinctive space provides a unique cultural setting for works that engage with the emotional and aesthetic language of cinema.

‍Static Cinema focuses on how cinematic movement and narrative can be translated into still imagery. Selected participants will present photographs that evoke a sense of suspended time — expressive gestures, staged compositions, or conceptual visuals that echo the rhythm and framing of moving images.

Participation & Submission GuidelinesWho can apply:
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Photographers and visual artists of any age, background, or experience level. Submissions should reflect cinematic language or explore the relationship between photography and film.

What we’re looking for:
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– Images that capture frozen movement, expressive gestures, or a visual atmosphere reminiscent of film stills
– Portraits, narrative scenes, or conceptual photography inspired by cinema and moving image culture

‍Technical guidelines:
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– Up to 6 low-resolution images, attached directly to your email
(Please do not use WeTransfer, Google Drive, or similar services)

‍How to submit:
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Email your application to danila_tkachenko@art-icon.org
Subject line: "Open Call Venice 2025 – Static Cinema"