Open Call for Applications: Exhibition Project Static Cinema

‍An independent event running alongside Venice’s film month.

‍Deadline: July 20, 2025
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Exhibition Dates: August 29 – September 24, 2025

Art-Icon, a non-profit organization supporting emerging talent in the visual arts, invites photographers and artists to participate in the upcoming international exhibition Static Cinema, taking place in Venice, Italy, during the international film season.The project highlights photography as an art form in dialogue with cinema, visual culture, and contemporary media, exploring how these disciplines intersect with broader cultural practices. The exhibition will feature works by both established figures and emerging artists who are inspired by cinematic language and its impact on contemporary visual storytelling.

‍Exhibition Overview

‍The exhibition will take place at the historic Cantiere Crea on the island of Giudecca — a 19th-century industrial workshop with a rich history of shipbuilding and gondola craftsmanship, offering a distinctive cultural setting.Static Cinema explores how the visual language of cinema translates into still images. Selected photographers from around the world will reflect on the relationship between cinema and photography through portraits, narrative compositions, and conceptual works linked to film and media.The exhibition will include works by Graziano Arici, the renowned Venetian photographer who has documented the Venice Film Festival for over 50 years, capturing defining cinematic moments and legendary figures. Alongside Arici, other acclaimed artists and notable personalities from the fields of photography and cinema will also take part in the project, making this a unique meeting point between generations and disciplines.

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

‍Technical requirements:

‍High-quality images connected to cinematic visual language or themesWorks may include portraits, narrative scenes, or conceptual photography inspired by cinema and visual culture

‍What to submit:
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Up to 6 low-resolution images attached directly to the email (please do not use WeTransfer, Google Drive, or similar services).

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

Selected participants will be responsible for the preparation and shipping of their work for the exhibition. As a non-profit initiative, Art-Icon does not charge participation fees or take any commission on sales. Artists are also welcome to retrieve their works after the exhibition closes.
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