Open Call for Photography Exhibition: Poetics of Light: Experiments in Photography

Open Call for Photography Exhibition: Poetics of Light: Experiments in Photography, curated by Mell Edwards

Co-Production with Flash Photographic festival

Exhibition Dates: March 21 – May 2, 2025

Submission Deadline: November 30, 2024

Photography exhibition curated by Mell Edwards. This exhibition will showcase the innovative and experimental photographic practices of artists who identify as part of ethnic minority groups, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and disabled artists. This is an opportunity to push the boundaries of traditional photography and explore non-conventional techniques that challenge how we view and create photographic art.

Photography has long been used as a medium to capture images and moments, often used to romanticize or exoticize marginalized communities. This exhibition seeks to flip the narrative, showcasing photographers from these communities as creators, not just subjects. The work displayed in this exhibition will push the boundaries of photographic techniques, embracing experimentation in form, process, and concept.

The exhibit will celebrate photographers who utilize non-traditional photography methods, including, but not limited to, alternative processing, digital manipulation, and unconventional materials. Through these techniques, artists will explore themes of identity, representation, and the subversion of the historical “snapshot in time” notion in photography.

Call for Photographers

We invite submissions from emerging photographers who identify as part of an ethnic minority, 2SLGBTQ+ community, or who are disabled. We are particularly interested in work that showcases experimental techniques in photography. Examples of accepted techniques include:

Double exposure, Light painting, Cyanotype, Film soup, Cyanolumens, Long exposure, Photograms, Solarization, Chemical processes (darkroom techniques), Digital and physical collage, Pinhole photography, Caffenol processing, Infrared, motion blur, and other alternative photography techniques.

Submission Guidelines/Requirements:

• Maximum of a one-page description of your artistic practice/ the work you’d like to submit, including its themes and experimental techniques.
• CV: Maximum of a three-page curriculum vitae outlining your artistic background and achievements.
• Artist Bio & Statement: A one-page bio and artist statement explaining your practice and approach to experimental photography.
• Image List: A detailed list of the artworks you wish to exhibit.
• Support Material: Up to 5 images or links to time-based works.

Please combine all materials into a single PDF and email it to admin@aceart.org

(Subject: “Poetics of Light Submission”). You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt.

Eligibility

This open call is for photographers who identify as part of an ethnic minority, 2SLGBTQ+ community, or disabled artists.

Artists must experiment with photography in ways that challenge traditional methods or concepts.

Emerging artists are highly encouraged to apply.

Selected artists will receive:

Manitoba CARFAC rates for participation.

Promotional support for the exhibition and artists.

Assistance with return shipping of artworks (if applicable).

About aceartinc.: We are an artist-run centre dedicated to the support, exhibition, and dissemination of contemporary art. aceartinc. Presents five major exhibitions a year by contemporary visual artists. www.aceart.org

We are on Treaty 1 Territory. On the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We offer our respect and gratitude to the caretakers of this land.