Open Call 2025

The Noorderlicht Biennale 2025, titled Machine Entanglements, focuses on the complex relationship between technology, ecology, and heritage. The project invites artists, photographers, and image-makers to submit work that explores these themes and reflects on the influence of technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), on society and our environment. The motivation for this project stems from rapid technological developments that significantly to engage visitors actively our biodiversity, social structures, and heritage. With this biennale, Noorderlicht aims to raise awareness and spark dialogue about how technology shapes our lives and world.

The project examines two key themes. Connected Landscapes focuses on the intertwining of technology with natural and urban environments, exploring topics such as the role of AI in food production, the impact of technological industries on nature, and the dynamics of ecosystems. 
The second theme, Heritage Futures, investigates the influence of (colonial) heritage in a contemporary context and how digital technology can contribute to understanding and reinterpreting these histories. At the same time, it critically examines how technology can either reinforce or challenge social inequality and colonial structures.

The Open Call is open until December 1, 2024. Artists can submit their work, after which a selection will be made in January 2025 by curators Wim Melis, Roosje Klap, and Rosa Wevers. The selected works will be produced and installed for exhibitions in the summer of 2025. A public program, including guided tours, workshops, and discussions will complement the Biennale. 
The goal of the biennale is not only to showcase great art but also to exchange knowledge and ideas and offer new perspectives on the role of technology in our society.

Participation and Deadline
Participation in the Open Call is free of charge. If your work is selected for exhibition, you will receive a fee in accordance with the fair pay guidelines on kunstenaarshonorarium.nl/en/ for group exhibitions.

Image-makers and collectives can submit their work by December 1, 2024. We ask for a clear accompanying text of up to 200 words, relevant visual materials, and a recent CV from the past five years. Longer texts may be included as an appendix. For works in progress, we request representative snapshots.

Submission
Submit a landscape-oriented PDF of no more than 10 MB and 10 pages, ensuring the images are of sufficient resolution to allow for zooming in. Photo series can also be submitted as a set of JPG files (approximately 1500px on the long side), and video projects as individual files (max 20 MB). Submissions can be sent to opencall2025@noorderlicht.com. The use of Wetransfer or similar file transfer services is permitted.

FAQ
For answers to frequently asked questions about exhibiting at Noorderlicht, please refer to the FAQ section or the exhibition terms and conditions on our website.