Open Call:
Life & Art post-capitalism
It is unclear who said it first, but one thing we know for sure: it has become easier to imagine the end of the world, than it is to imagine the end of capitalism. Therefore, Milieudefensie Jong is inviting young artists (aged 16 till 30) to do exactly that, imagining and envisaging a life after, or, without capitalism. What will we do, what will we wear, how would we communicate, and how would we relate to the world around us? We are inviting artists from all disciplines, divided over three categories: fine art, graphic, and fashion, but these are open to interpretation – from oil painting to projection mapping; from animation to activist design; from installation to high fashion. Scroll down to find out more about the categories. Still not entirely sure in what category your work belongs? Don’t worry, if we think your work fits better in a different category we will contact you.
Nominated works are offered a space during our exhibition at the Vrij Paleis in Amsterdam from the 20th till the 22nd of March. From those works a jury of experienced artists will make a selection that will be offered a platform, such as (among others) a spot in an exhibition by the Klimaatmuseum. Participants can submit a concept accompanied by their portfolio till the 2nd of February. If your concept is selected you can proceed to realize it and can get the cost of materials refunded (conditions apply, see application form). If you want to hand in a finished product you can until the 1st of march, but then you risk not being nominated and thus also not being able to get the cost of materials refunded. Please visit the web page for more information.
This is a project that aims to unite climate justice, activism and art. Milieudefensie (Jong) has a long history of campaigning against polluters and is undertaking legal action to prevent the worst effects of climate change. But the work doesn’t end there. The entire exploitative system of capitalism needs to be rebuilt, in order to create a just and green planet for all. This is why your work as an artist is crucial, and why we are providing a space for young artists to explore alternatives to capitalist ways of living. We’re looking forward to seeing your submissions!
Apply here
Jury and Inspiration
We are in the process of confirming our jury, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you are planning on creating a concept or work specifically for this project, here are some makers, projects, and conceptual frameworks to get you started:
- Pauline Wiersema (https://pinopotato.com/) is a visual artist based in Rotterdam who’s work addresses, inequality, power, and climate justice. Her work has been vital to the work of Milieudefensie, and can be seen during political manifestations and campaigns all over the Netherlands. Pro tip: she has guidelines on how to convey a message with art on her website.
- Willem de Haan (https://www.willemdehaan.be/) is a visual artist who uses art and humor to address the absurdity of our times. His work has been featured in exhibitions all over Europe, and on major music festivals such as Down The Rabbit Hole.
- Posters For The Planet (https://postersfortheplanet.org/) is a design competition inviting makers to create designs for posters that encourage its viewers to reflect on our times.
- Post/degrowth is a framework that challenges the dominant paradigm that an economy should grow exponentially to stay healthy, and contests that infinite growth is possible on a finite planet. Some people call it degrowth, we call it common sense.
- Eco-socialism and/or eco-feminism(s) are frameworks which place the ecological crisis in the context of power relations.
- Indigenous perspectives such as Buen Vivir/Vivir Buen and Ubuntu. Indigenous perspectives often challenge western and/or capitalist paradigms. However, when drawing on indigenous perspectives, please always be aware of your own position as a maker, and don’t appropriate concepts or practices outside of your own context.
Fine Art
Are you able to visualize alternative ways of living through fine art? Or are you capable of providing social commentary through 2D and/or 3D works? Think big, or keep it small. This category is open to works that fall under a broad definition of fine art: installations, paintings, ceramics, performance, you name it. Help us imagine an alternative future through art, or change how people think about a topic by challenging the status quo.
Picture: Pauline Wiersema (@pinopotato)
Design
Are you capable of communicating a message through (digital) design and media? This category is open to posters, illustrations, graphic novels, and animations that convey a message. Can you convey a message through design intended for merch, such as shirts, scarfs, caps, etc? Great! In this category your work might end up being used as material for the communications of Milieudefensie (Jong), with your name/tagg always visible.
Picture: Pauline Wiersema
(@pinopotato)
Fashion
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries globally. Are you able to redefine the meaning of clothing and fashion? How will we reduce waste in the future? What will we wear to protect us from extreme heat or cold? What kind of jobs will we do in the future, and what uniforms will they require? How will we preserve cultural aspects of fashion in a world where culture is increasingly commodified? Expand our imagination with your designs.
Picture: MARTAN (@martan.official)
