CALL FOR ARTISTS
BORDERS 2021 | BODIES+CITIES SKIN
Venice International Art Fair
Deadline: May 27, 2021

ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with Venice Events and ACIT Venice – Italian-German Cultural Association, is pleased to announce the open call for BODIES+CITIES SKIN, first appointment of BORDERS – Venice International Art Fair, that will be held in Venice, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space from June 14 to July 04, 2021, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello from June 15 to July 04, 2021 and in other prestigious venues and historical buildings.

BORDERS ART FAIR, curated by Arch. Luca Curci, will be presented in Venice at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello and in other prestigious venues between June 14 and September 19, 2021, during the 17th Venice Biennale.

BORDERS ART FAIR is a contemporary art fair that presents collective and solo projects by leading and emerging international artists. The 2021 edition will represent a forum for direct exchange of ideas and contacts between collectors, artists, photographers, designers and art professionals. The art fair features paintings, sculptures, photography art, installations, video art and live performance.

BORDERS ART FAIR provides artists and exhibitors with the unique opportunity to present their works to an international audience of professionals as curators, gallerists, collectors, editors and publishers who seek to acquire, publish and encourage the best contemporary art talents.

The last edition of BORDERS ART FAIR took place in Venice in 2020, presenting a great selection of more than 500 art and architecture works realized by 250 artists and architects, coming from 36 countries. Never as this time the concept of the exhibition seems to be epochal: the humankind coexists at a distance to stay closer. The new invisible borders generated by the covid-19 are creating new ways of living everyday life, new human connections, re-thinking common spaces and entire cities. Could the new “borders” be the solution? We invite artists, architects and designers to be inspired by this new era, exploring the connection between desires, needs, fears that brings humankind to change, to transform and to evolve our inner world.

COVID-19 Protection Concept – The health and safety of our staff and visitors are of predominant importance to ITSLIQUID Group. This Protection Concept governs how we intend to operate after Italy’s lockdown has ended, the rules that will be applied inside the exhibition spaces and how these will be implemented in practice.

The festival focuses on the concept of “borders”, between the soul and the body, the human being and the city, the city and the ground. The festival analyzes the idea of human and urban borders, how people live them and how they are modified in contemporary society. Every human being lives in a world in which the limits, the borders, shape their attitudes and behaviors, limiting the freedom and creating a sense of alienation. The human being reacts breaking the limits and finding a new way of life. We imagine a world of “liquid cities”, where differences create new possibilities instead of being social barriers.

BODIES+CITIES SKIN is about the humankind that wants to wear his city like a second skin without borders or limits. City’s body is in constant evolution. It changes its skin and shows a renewed body. This mutation follows the direction of human being development and it is a clear and true statement of cities changing time. From borders as individual bodies and souls to boundaries of cities in which we live, each line delimitates a surface and could be the starting point to something new, undiscovered. Limits are everywhere, barriers keep us inside or outside spaces and societies. Their passing creates a crossover of identities and urban environment. The way we move, we relate to anything, to the world makes us go beyond boundaries.

BORDERS ART FAIR consists of 3 main events: BODIES+CITIES SKIN, FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES and FUTURE LANDSCAPES. We are now selecting artists for:

– BODIES+CITIES SKIN from June 14 to July 04, 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space and from June 15 to July 04, 2021 at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello
Deadline for applications is May 27, 2021 (11.59 PM of your local time)

– FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES from July 12 to August 01, 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space and from July 13 to August 01, 2021 at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello
Deadline for applications is June 18, 2021 (11.59 PM of your local time)

– FUTURE LANDSCAPES from August 30 to September 19, 2021 at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space and from August 31 to September 19, 2021 at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello
Deadline for applications is June 18, 2021 (11.59 PM of your local time)

The participation includes the following services
– exhibition space dedicated to the artist’s works
– assisting with customs formalities, international shipping and local transport
– assisting in finding accommodation for artist
– the design and the printing of invitation cards, posters
– the global and local press office, publicity, press, banners, totem, etc.
– the realization of the exhibition website and dedicated press releases
– mounting and dismounting of the exhibition
– exhibitions opening event with drinks and food
– a one day dedicated presentation, talk or workshop focusing on the artist’s career
– a dedicated interview published on ITSLIQUID website and spread on our social networks
– providing services and drinks for small meetings at the exhibition places for invited guests
– a printed catalogue that will include all the participants

Artists interested in taking part in our shows, are free to be sponsored and supported by institutions, organizations, governments and their representers; the logos of their sponsors will be included in all the communication (digital and print) of the events. Artists are free to take part in one or more events.

The festival also aims to discover the interpretations of borders between built and unbuilt geographical contexts, the complex spatial mechanisms within contemporary cities and territories, to understand these underlying cultural philosophical, political and aesthetic value systems that influence the production of architectural form. The investigation concerns not just territories’ borders: the festival focuses on the design and the construction strategies applied to the contemporary “skin and bones” architecture, on the thin surface that divides and connects the inner places with the outer spaces, from the single buildings to the huge metropolis’ borderline.

Deadline for applications May 27, 2021 (11.59 PM of your local time)

The number of works you can submit is unlimited. The participation in the festival requires an entry fee only for selected artworks. Participation is open to: artists, architects and designers, associate groups and studios.

Deadline for applications May 27, 2021 (11.59 PM of your local time)

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COVID-19 Protection Concept – ITSLIQUID Group

The health and safety of our staff and visitors are of predominant importance to ITSLIQUID Group. This Protection Concept governs how we intend to operate after Italy’s lockdown has ended, the rules that will be applied inside the exhibition spaces and how these will be implemented in practice. Read more.

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ABOUT US

ITSLIQUID is a web based information platform, founded in 2001 by Luca Curci, dedicated to world wide distribution of information about calls for entries, exhibitions and events at some of the world’s leading art galleries, museums and foundations selected. ITSLIQUID has already built a readership of more than 250.000 qualified subscribers. Among them architects, designers, artists, collectors, art critics, curators, dealers, and other personalities of the International art, architecture and design world. It provides advertising services, press office services for events and projects, articles and specials published on the website, media partnerships services.

During the last 20 years, ITSLIQUID Group has became a cultural hub between creatives, exhibition spaces and art lovers. Among our international partners, Art Now Fair, Art Vancouver, Design Tokyo, INDEX Qatar, INDEX Saudi, The Big 5 Construct Dubai, The Big 5 Construct Qatar, Photo LA Los Angeles and international magazines like Art Style. ITSLIQUID Group supports some of the most important no-profit organizations, like UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, SSCS – Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, One Tree Planted, The Ocean CleanUp and Plastic Oceans, with the goal to increase public awareness about environmental issues. Click here to find out more.

ITSLIQUID GROUP includes a section dedicated to the organization of international art events, managing exhibitions of painting, photography, video art, installation and performance; it organizes solo and collective shows, art residencies and international contests. Its object is to use new technologies to globalize the language of art, to connect artists working in every part of the world.

ITSLIQUID Group manages a variety of art spaces all over the world; among them THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space in the heart of San Marco Square in Venice and different historical buildings, THE LINE Contemporary Art Space in the London city center and other different partners worldwide. Since its beginning, the group has organized more than 250 events all around the world, involving more than 5.000 artists, in more than 60 international venues in Italy, USA, Canada, UK, Spain, France, etc. Most of the last events have been realized in museums (CCCB – Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona in Spain, NCCA – National Center for Contemporary Arts in Moscow, etc.), galleries and private foundations.

ITSLIQUID is based on fluidity, motion, connection and accessibility. Making things easy to do. Welcome.

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OUR LOCATIONS

THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, located in San Marco square, in the heart of Venice is available to host solo show and group exhibitions of the most talented emerging and established artists, designers and architects selected by our professional team among the numerous show participation requests.

Overlooking the unique San Marco square, THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space presents a rich program of exhibitions, talks, meetings, workshops and courses about art, architecture, design and fashion with architects, designers, artists, collectors, art critics, curators, dealers, and other personalities of the International art, architecture and design world. Being part of our program is an exciting opportunity to improve your network and get new inspirations.

THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space is a fascinating and prestigious venue where our professional team will be at your disposal to assist you, offering a unique exhibition experience, giving you the opportunity to display your artworks in Venice, one of the most suggestive cities in the art world, and broadening your artistic career and exhibition background.

Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello is one of the most known palaces of the Renaissance in Venice. It is an historical building dated back to the 16th century, and it has been owned by several noble venetian families, as demonstrated by the frescoed ceilings, the artistic stuccos and the fine furnitures that enrich its rooms. The Palace welcomes visitors with its beautiful private garden on the ground floor, and then it gathers the guests in its large first floor salons, in which past and present dialogue together. The restored Old Masters’ frescoes and the contemporary art masterpieces that are periodically shown in the exhibitions hosted here, make Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello the perfect location for the balance between old and new, between ancient environment and contemporary art, architecture and design.

Today the building is managed by ACIT Venice – the Italian-German Cultural Association – which is considered one of the most important intercultural associations in Europe. Thanks to the ACIT unceasing cultural activity, Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello has nowadays frequent collaborations with the Goethe Institute and with other local and international institutions, maintaining its ancient reputation. Because of these relations, it presents a huge program of memorable art exhibitions, conferences, congresses and concerts. Among the last institutional exhibitions, its participation in the 58th Venice Biennale with the Guatemala pavilion, the Dominican Republic pavilion and the Grenada pavilion. ITSLIQUID Group already had the pleasure to held some festivals and exhibitions in Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, as MORPHOS Festival and FUTURE IDENTITIES Festival, both in 2014.

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SOME OF OUR LAST EXHIBITIONS

Flo Housseini, Lebanon
“I am really excited to be part of Mixing Identities because so many young artists come together as one, each one of us has a story to tell. I think ITSLIQUID Group is doing an amazing job, even through challenging times.“

Click here for the full interview.

Andreea Moon Ciucico, UK
“ITSLIQUID Group is organising some great events around the world and competitions that give artists a great platform to expose their work and meet other great people in the industry. I would definitely suggest a collaboration with you. I have been received with great warmth and very much respect on the opening day by the organising team and curator and I have also been surprised of how well they have presented my art to visitors. I think this has been a great show, especially coming out of a long lockdown. It is exactly what I needed to feel like I’m back on track.“

Click here for the full interview.

Sailev, France
“The way I see it, ITSLIQUID GROUP provides an opportunity for artists to be displayed in renowned capitals or art cities. If an artist wants to extend his experience to different countries and has not enough gallery representation, the opportunity is interesting.“

Click here for the full interview.

Alexandra Zilioli, Switzerland
“The concepts of “ItsLiquid“ allowed new and renovated artists to connect and inspire them mutually. I think that is just fantastic. I really appreciate how you use virtual media to distribute art. I think it is more important than ever to have these skills during these challenging times, so we can connect to the world.“

Click here for the full interview.

Santa Paula, Latvia
“I love that you provide such a wide range of services. I especially like all the opportunities regarding public relations, as it is very important for young artists like me to get some exposure to my artwork and practice. I am beyond thankful and excited for being a part of this collaboration and I therefore suggest others to collaborate with ITSLIQUID Group.“

Click here for the full interview.

Anshu Agrawal, India
“I believe that ITSLIQUID presents a great opportunity for artists around the world. It provides a great platform for both established and emerging artists to be able to collaborate and showcase their works internationally and gain recognition. Thank you and I hope to be part of the future exhibitions.“

Click here for the full interview.