Last days to submit for Krakow Photomonth x MOCAK the Museum of Contemporary art in Krakow contest for a series of artistic works on the theme of Zabłocie in the context of history and the area’s change of identity after the collapse of industrial plants. The winning works will be presented at an exhibition at MOCAK, Re Gallery, as part of Krakow Photomonth 2020. The opening will take place on 23 April 2020. The invitation is addressed to students and this year’s graduates of art colleges. The deadline for submitting applications is 31 December 2019.
Theme
The theme of the competition is Zabłocie in the context of history and the area’s change of identity after the collapse of industrial plants.
During the 14th century Zabłocie was part of Kazimierz – at the time, a separate town. As a result of the country’s partitions, Zabłocie became a part of the Austrian Empire, and of the new town of Podgórze. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries industrial and railway companies developed in this area and warehouses were built. In 1915 Zabłocie, as well as the whole Podgórze, became a part of Krakow. World War II left its mark on the fate of the area. Nearby, the Plaszow labour camp and the ghetto were set up. The Zgoda Square (today the Square of the Ghetto Heroes), adjacent to Zabłocie, was the starting point of the transports of Krakow Jews to the death camps. The Germans decided to carry on with the development of the industry in the area, and in the local factories, including Oskar Schindler’s enamelware factory known as Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (DEF), prisoners from a sub-camp of the nearby Plaszow labour camp worked. After the war, Zabłocie continued as an industrial aquarter. The collapse of industry in the 1990s made it necessary to create a new identity for this part of Krakow in the context of the city’s increasingly dynamic development, fuelled by tourism as an important source of revenue. The Steven Spielberg film Schindler’s List (1993) contributed to the growing popularity of Zabłocie. Two museums were established on the premises of the Oskar Schindler former factory: a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow (now the Museum of Krakow), known as Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, and MOCAK the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow. Currently, Zabłocie is undergoing dynamic expansion not only as an industrial zone but as a place of artistic activity as well as a trendy residential neighbourhood.
To whom is this invitation addressed?
The contest is addressed to students and this year’s graduates of artistic colleges of Polish universities.
How to apply
In order to take part in the contest, submit your application with:
- description of your contest project and images of the works complete with captions that contain the following information: the title, date, technique and dimensions (the applications should be sent in PDF format, preferred volume up to 10 pages, maximum size: 20 MB),
- a short biographical note (maximum 1800 characters) which provides the author’s email address,
We cannot guarantee that all your exhibition requirements will be met, but please indicate your preferences.
By submitting your application you agree to the terms and conditions of the contest as specified in the Rules and Regulations of the contest. Please enclose a scan of your signed GDPR consent. The above-mentioned documents and the plan of Re Gallery can be download here >>
How we will choose the winners
The winners will be announced by the five-member jury appointed by the organisers, consisting of: two representatives of MOCAK the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, two representatives of Krakow Photomonth, and one external juror. The authors of the works selected for the exhibition will receive information by email. The list of the finalists will also be published on the organisers’ website.
The organisers guarantee
The winning series will be presented at an exhibition at the Re Gallery, one of the exhibition spaces of MOCAK the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, from 24 April to 20 September 2020. We reserve the right to choose more than one winner.
The organisers guarantee:
- A fee for participation in the exhibition, of the total amount not exceeding 1500 PLN gross. Should there be more than one winner, this amount will be shared out.
- consultation,
- promotion of the exhibition,
- professional exhibition documentation,
- the cost of financing the production of the works (including display arrangements) selected for the exhibition up to the amount of PLN 4000 gross.
Timetable
- applications to be in by: 31 December 2019 inclusive
- the jury convenes: 15–31 January 2020
- results announced: 5 February 2020
- contracts signed: 6–13 February 2020
- works realised: 14–29 February 2020
- opening: 23 April 2020
- exhibition will run: 24 April – 20 September 2020