Submission Deadline: 11:59pm EST, January 27, 2023
Exhibition on view: February 9 - March 26.
Opening reception: February 9, 6pm-9pm
at Culture Lab LIC in The Plaxall Gallery, 5-25 46th Ave, Queens, NY 11101 (Map)
Since the murder of Mahsa Zhina Amini, the global art community has taken an active and important role in support of the “Woman Life Freedom” movement in Iran. Iranian women are leading the fight against an aging theocratic regime clinging to power. While the authoritarian regime has sought to subdue the Iranian people and its culture, it is Iranians that are quelling the regime.
Art has been a form of resistance. We have witnessed artists, curators, museums, and galleries worldwide show their solidarity by creating, partnering and providing avenues to raise awareness of the ongoing revolution.
We are announcing an open call for the upcoming art exhibition, "Anonymouslyاز Iran.” The aim of this exhibition is to amplify the voice of Iranians who are and have been bravely defying tyranny and protesting for their freedoms through the lens of art. This exhibition is a celebration of the incredibly courageous Iranian people, especially the women of Iran, and its culture.
In solidarity with the artists and people of Iran, due to the current oppressive climate in Iran, and the risks protesters, artists and their families face, all work from all artists (inside and outside of Iran) will be exhibited anonymously.
While we encourage artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit their art for consideration, the preference will be to showcase work from Iranian artists. This can include sculptures, installations, paintings, digital media, and performance art. All work must be submitted directly by the artist or with documented permission from the artist.
Use this form to submit proposals for fine art (sculptures, installations, paintings and digital art). To submit proposals for Performance Art, use this form: https://form.jotform.com/223549160742153/
An Iranian selection committee will review all submissions from the open call. A section of the exhibit will be dedicated to invited artists.
Work that promotes violence, racism and intolerance will not be accepted. Provocative and documentary artwork is acceptable.
All received work must be ready to hang or be installed. We understand that shipping work from Iran is challenging and will make exceptions for photography and digital work submitted from Iran. The organizers will print selected work from digital files submitted from artists based in Iran.
Artists may elect to have their art for sale. Culture Lab, curators, organizers, and the selection committee will not take any fees or commission on sales.
Three 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organizations who are supporting the current revolution, or empowering the Iranian women, artists, and minorities will be selected via a survey conducted from the artists participating in the exhibition. Artists selected from the Open Call will donate 50% of sales, disbursed evenly among the above-mentioned organizations, and the remainder will be disbursed at the artists discretion. Artwork may also be submitted NFS (Not For Sale).
Please note that due to ongoing international sanctions transferring money to Iran is illegal. Alternative options will be discussed on a case-by-case basis for artists based in Iran. Additionally, we are working with a lawyer specializing in OFAC laws to apply for a special license to allow transfer of funds to Iran, but this process may take 6-12 months. It is our mission to get the funds to the artists and into the right hands. We are not personally benefiting from any sold art.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than Tuesday, January 31.
All work must be hand delivered to the gallery by February 6.
(Deliveries can be made during Culture Lab LIC open hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 5pm-9pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm-9pm.)
Culture Lab LIC is not responsible for shipping costs.
Questions? Contact us at info@culturelablic.org or at (347) 848-0030.
To learn more about Culture Lab LIC, visit www.culturelablic.org.
Culture Lab LIC is a 501(c)(3) formed to bring accessible high quality art of all genres to our community, and to support local artists by providing rehearsal, performance, exhibition space, as well as a robust residency program. Culture Lab LIC is dedicated to upholding, equity, diversity and inclusion across all our platforms. Operating out of a 12,000 square foot art center, Culture Lab LIC hosts two fine art galleries, a 90 seat theatre, classroom space, and an 18,000 square foot outdoor venue, made possible by the generous donation of space from Plaxall Inc.