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  • INDOOR CALL

    ART, FASHION, VIDEOART, DESIGN

  • Introduction

    LUBICA - Lucca Biennale Cartasia is the world's largest event dedicated to paper as an artistic and architectural expression. It is held every two years in the city of Lucca, Tuscany. Founded in 2004, LUBICA aims to promote tradition, culture, sustainability, and innovation.The 2026 edition will be the 13th.LUBICA seeks to create opportunities and challenges for artists willing to push their boundaries, "educate to beauty," take care of others, but above all, break conventions and create new perspectives.

  • Goals

    This call allows participation in 4 sections of the Lucca Biennale Cartasia 2026:Art - Fashion - Video Art - Design made out of paper.The competition is open to all artists, fashion designers, and professional or emerging designers. The goal is to select artworks, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and paper design objects (and derivatives) that highlight originality and an innovative, bold, and unique use of paper. The final selection will be exhibited in LUBICA's official exhibition venues.

  • 13th edition theme: "Real - Unreal"

    The theme of LUBICA’s 13th edition is “Real Unreal”The theme "Real Unreal" invites us to explore the fragile boundary between the real and the unreal, between what we perceive as concrete and what belongs to the realm of dreams, imagination, or artificial construction. In an era where digital technologies, media narratives, and virtual reality redefine our relationship with ourselves and the world, this theme prompts a reflection on the nature of perception, truth, and deception."Real Unreal" is an invitation to investigate how the unreal manifests within the real, shaping it, and how the real, in turn, can transform into something imaginary, symbolic, or illusory. Artists, curators, audiences, and all those involved in the Biennale will be called upon to engage with this tension—designing installations, creating artworks, or experiencing situations that challenge perception, subvert expectations, and expand the boundaries of what we consider "true."

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    • The submitted works must primarily use paper and its derivatives.
    • Each participant must submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 15 works.
    • Digital works are accepted, including videos, films, and animation projects in any digital or analog format.
    • The artistic proposal must relate to the theme "REAL / UNREAL."
    • The design proposal must align with the biennale theme or adhere to LUBICA's core values: sustainability, innovation, and culture.
    • Participants must pay the application fee and complete the required forms.
    • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
    • Both individual artists and collectives can participate, provided that ownership of the work is shared among all members.

    This call allows participation in 4 sections of the Lucca Biennale Cartasia 2026: Art - Fashion - Video Art - Design made out of paper.


    HOW TO PARTECIPATE

    To apply, follow these steps:

    1. Complete the registration form (available on the following pages).
    2. Submit the technical sheet, which must include a description of the concept and artworks (minimum 50, maximum 500 characters), along with photographic materials, with this application.
    3. Sign the acceptance form.
    4. Pay the € 36 (+ VAT) participation fee.
      ATTENTION: payment is made through the PayPal service. In case of payment by bank transfer, please contact us at info@luccabiennale.com

    Once completed, applicants can download a PDF summary of their submission.

    At the end of the submission process, you can download the documentation in PDF format with a summary. If you experience any issues with the payment or filling out the online form, you can contact us via email or phone.

    TIMELINE 

    Applicants should complete registration before the deadline to avoid technical issues that may cause delays.

    Deadline for submissions 23:59
    (GMT +1)    		 September 18, 2025
    Notification of pre-selected artists
    (Pre-selection for further review by the Artistic Direction. This does NOT constitute official participation in the exhibition.)    		 by November 28, 2025
    Finalists announcement
    (publication on LUBICA web site)    		 by March 31, 2026
    Delivery of artworks to the exhibition venue
    (shipments can be made up to 30 days before this deadline)    		 by May 29, 2026
    Opening of the 13th edition of LUBICA* 
    (by invitation only)    		   June 27, 2026 
    Closing of the 13th edition of LUBICA * *   September 30, 2026

    * Official dates may be subject to changes due to institutional reasons, up to 15 days before the event starts.

    Due to force majeure, the Artistic Direction may decide that none of the proposals received meet the required criteria or standards, and therefore, no proposal will be accepted.

    PROMOTION & COMMUNITY

    Selected artists will benefit from:

    • Promotion on the website www.luccabiennalecartasia.com, exclusive interviews on social media, and a dedicated section in the official catalogue.
    • A digital excerpt from the LUBICA 2026 catalogue featuring their section (with a discount for the purchase of a printed copy).
    • An invitation to the inauguration for the selected artist plus three guests.
    • Discounted entry tickets for the exhibition (specific terms will be communicated upon selection).
    • Membership in the Paper Art Community, a network for artists working with paper and its derivatives.

    RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

    Communications will be made via email and/or published on www.luccabiennalecartasia.com.

    OTHER PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

    On the Biennale's website, you can find all the details on how to participate in the 2026 edition of Lucca Biennale Cartasia. Below is a summary:

    • Residency Call (Indoor and Outdoor) – starting from 01/03/2025
    • Indoor Call (Art & Video Art, Fashion, Design) – starting from 01/03/2025
    • Call for Papers (Architecture) – starting from 01/10/2025
    • Performance – starting from 01/10/2025
    • Workshops – starting from 01/10/2025

    To stay updated, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.


    QUESTIONS

    For inquiries or clarifications, contact:

    - Email: info@luccabiennale.com
    - Phone: +39 0583 928354 / +39 349 7123926


    Participants are encouraged to stay updated via the website and social media, as the call may undergo changes before the deadline.

    This call for applications is officially closed.

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