Calling artists for Día de los Muertos 2017
http://www.somarts.org/artistcalldiadelosmuertos2017/
What: Calling artists for installation work, flat work, and altars for exhibition in Remembrance and Resistance: Día de los Muertos 2017. Produced by SOMArts Cultural Center. Exhibition and programming curated by René & Rio Yañez.
When: Submit a proposal online here by 3pm on Thursday, August 24, 2017 to be considered.
How Much: No entry fee.
Now in its 18th year, SOMArts’ Day of the Dead exhibition co-curated by father and son Rene and Rio Rañez, is one of the most internationally diverse Día de los Muertos celebrations in the United States. Over the years, this group exhibition has brought together a wide variety of perspectives to honor, remember, and celebrate the dead.
The theme of this year’s exhibition, Remembrance and Resistance, insists on the importance of mourning in the context of resistance struggles. In the Trump era, the intense focus on political resistance can overshadow the need for collective mourning. Since its inception, Day of the Dead at SOMArts has offered a space for community reflection and remembrance, refusing to forget those who have been lost to police brutality, gentrification and displacement, and environmental destruction. Now more than ever, it’s imperative to honor the dead and reflect on their legacies. What can the lives of our ancestors teach us about resistance and creativity in the current political climate? Artists are invited to create artworks and altars with this theme in mind or to share their own personal visions.
SOMArts’ Day of the Dead exhibit mixes traditional Mexican altars and contemporary art installations. Past exhibits have included personal altars, interactive installations, and multimedia monuments. Remembrance and Resistance: Día de los Muertos 2017 is a great opportunity to explore the strengths of tradition and to honor the dead by utilizing both traditional and contemporary art practices in the creation of your work. Our exhibition space is designed and laid out by architect Nick Gomez. As the exhibit takes shape, please be aware that spaces designated to artists can change in planning.
Proposals must be received no later than 3 pm on Thursday, August 24, 2017 in order to be considered. Click here to submit your proposal online. If you need technical assistance, please email Carolina Quintanilla at carolina@somarts.org with any questions.
Key Dates & Information
Thursday, August 24, 3 pm: Deadline for Submissions (Click here to submit a proposal online.)
Monday, August 28: Artists notified of their application status
Tuesday, September 5, 6:30pm: Artist Meeting (required)
Saturday, September 30–Thursday, October 5: Artists install
Friday, October 6, 6–9pm: Opening Reception
Thursday, November 9, 6–9pm: Closing Reception
Selected artists will be expected to install and maintain their installations and artworks. Please plan to make regular visits to SOMArts to make sure your installation is well maintained and functioning.
All involved with this exhibition take pride in the large attendance and community engagement at special events and during gallery hours. We ask that artists help in ways big and small to assist with outreach and publicity. Please help spread the word about the exhibition so that our audience continues to grow and diversify. There are opportunities to get involved by volunteering at related events, assisting with educational programming related to the show, and distributing print materials.
