O P E N C A L L
The Sustainable Art of Plastics
An international art exhibition project exploring the sustainable art of plastics – 10dence platform – High Art Fridays
Submission deadline Open Call: December 31, 2024
Exhibition venue will take place in 2026 at Campo Santo in Ghent, Belgium
The Sustainable Art of Plastics exhibition project is a collaborative initiative from 10dence Platform and High Art Fridays (HAF). 10dence Platform and High Art, Fridays, are very pleased to announce their latest open call for the Sustainable Art of Plastics, an international art exhibition project exploring the sustainable art of plastics that will take place in 2026. This project will be co-curated by Ron Shelton of High Art Fridays and Ron Weijers of 10dence Platform.
The exhibition will feature a contemporary reflection by an extensive international group of professional artists on the concept to shed artistic light on humanity’s growing problem with our plastic footprint. Plastic is everywhere and permeates into every aspect of our lives. The benefit and the problem with plastic is that it does not biodegrade. Some plastics create products meant for extended use and have even saved lives. However, most single-use plastics pollute the environment and endangering both communities and wildlife. An estimated 150 million tons of plastic disappears from the waste stream each year, and the United Nations has recognized the available plastic waste in the world’s oceans as a significant environmental problem. This project goal would focus on creating new contemporary art objects by using discarded plastics that illustrate the pervasiveness of the material in our everyday lives as a means to bring awareness to the global plastic crisis. Most materials utilized would be pitched in the trash, such as plastic bags, pill bottles, and Tidy Cat litter containers. Artists can create art from plastic rather than dispose of plastics. This outreach connects the younger generation to environmental awareness. Each year, about 300 million tons of plastic waste is produced. A study published by Science Advances found that the U.S. only makes an average of 231 pounds of plastic waste per person per year. These alarming numbers drive us to challenge viewers’ perspectives on plastics and how to reduce and reuse items commonly seen as disposable. We intend to bolster awareness of non-biodegradable material. It is our goal to stimulate open dialogue on these issues. We believe art can serve as a tool to enlighten and engage communities. We believe art has the power to rise above and beyond simply serving to entertain. Many artists around the globe are answering the environmental call of how plastics are plaguing the planet.
Sustainable art is the creative practice of making artwork that does not harm the environment and addresses topics such as climate change, waste, and related social issues. Sustainable art is not a fixed set of rules but rather an evolving and adaptable way of thinking about what it means to make art. This co-curated Sustainable Art of Plastics exhibition project will feature an international select group of artists. The works included and displayed within the exhibition explore a highly varied artistic interpretation of the concept of Sustainable Art of Plastics. The initiators and curators of this project consider a wide range of disciplines like painting, prints, photography, video, sculptures, installations, and mixed media art that depict conceptual values in a grave or lighthearted way.
This Open Call invites professional artists to submit conceptual proposals for the Sustainable Art of Plastics exhibition. To participate, please submit your proposals and a portfolio containing approximately eight images and technical information of recent works, your CV and artist statement, your contact information, and a link to your website. All submissions and further requested information should be sent to info@10dencegallery.com. The deadline for submissions to the open call is December 31, 2024. More detailed information about the venue location at Campo Santo in Ghent, Belgium, and the exhibition dates will be provided to the selected participating artists after December 31.
