Deadline: December 21, 2020
Entry Fee: from €13 to €45
Prizes: participation in the exhibition
Portrayals of femininity and masculinity are, without doubt, central to a number of art forms, photography not being an exception. The past few decades have given rise to – often heated – discussions and criticisms of past, recent, and current photographic practices for their lack of reflection on the assumptions, stereotypes, and prejudices surrounding photographic approaches to femininity and masculinity. Fine art and commercial works alike have been critiqued for the potential consequences of their approach and presentation. Historically femininity and masculinity have been conceived, among others, as oppositions, as complements of each other, or as positions on a continuum.
There are hardly any ways of portraying femininity and masculinity that would or could not be considered trivial, conservative, pretentious, demeaning, distasteful, clichéd or even offensive by some. It often seems that everything has been both said and photographed about this subject, and yet, it is not possible to ignore the persistence of the theme in our contemporary visual culture. What is it that we can still value and possibly revive from the rich history of photography; are there any novel ways left to approach this subject with a fresh critical eye?
PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for a group exhibition themed Feminine / Masculine. We are looking for submissions from all photographers who are interested in this subject and would like to share their work with a wider international audience through the exposure of PH21 Gallery.
The theme is broadly construed, as the photographic portrayal of femininity and masculinity is independent of generic or stylistic constraints. Indeed, we are interested in all possible creative photographic interpretations of the theme.
One juror’s choice and up to three honourable mentions will be announced. The juror’s choice receives three free entries for any upcoming themed group exhibition calls at PH21 Gallery. (Each free entry includes up to 15 images.)
Curator: Zsolt Bátori
Zsolt is a philosopher of art and photographer. He is an associate professor in the Institute of Art and Design Theory, Faculty of Art and Creative Industries, Budapest Metropolitan University, and visits the University of Murcia, Spain for regular research collaboration. He has conducted research and taught philosophy of art and photography courses at various universities in Hungary, the United States, Spain and Argentina, and has exhibited his photographic work internationally. Zsolt is also the founder and director of PH21 Gallery.
Dates
- Early bird deadline: December 14, 2020
- Final deadline: December 21, 2020
- Notification: All entrants will be notified 10-15 days after the final deadline.
- Exhibition dates: February 11 – March 6, 2021
There are two submission options
A) Standard submission:
Until the early bird deadline:
You may submit 3, 5, 7, 10, or 15 images; these may be all individual works, or they may also include a series of maximum 5 photographs. The entry fee is €20.00 for the first 3 images, €25.00 for 5 images, €30.00 for 7 images, €35.00 for 10 images, and €40.00 for 15 images.
After the early bird deadline:
The entry fee after the early bird deadline is €25.00 for the first 3 images, €30.00 for 5 images, €35.00 for 7 images, €40.00 for 10 images, and €45.00 for 15 images.
B) Special fee:
Until the early bird deadline:
There is a special rate for maximum 5 images for students and unwaged persons as well as for applicants from low-income economies.
The special fee is €13.00.
Please do not ask us about your eligibility or send us any proof because we trust your judgement. The special rate is simply for people who – for the reasons indicated above – would not be able to afford the standard fee. This also includes photographers whose financial situation has significantly worsened due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
After the early bird deadline:
The special fee after the early bird deadline is €18.00.