Visions 2026: An Open Call Exploring Art and Technological Transformations

Visions, which began in 2025 as an exhibition format, has now transformed into an award launching its first open call to support emerging artistic production. The initiative is championed by ctrl/shift, a platform dedicated to fostering dialogue between contemporary art and technology. This call is open until April 30, 2026, welcoming individual artists or collectives aged between 18 and 40. There are no nationality restrictions, but applicants must have at least two recognized exhibition experiences within the last five years. Participants are required to submit an original project, complete with a conceptual and technical description, as well as preliminary visual materials. Participation is free of charge.

The core theme of the call encourages a critical reflection on the present, framed by a historical metaphor: the collapse of Mediterranean civilizations during the Bronze Age as a lens through which to understand contemporary crises. In this context, Europe is perceived as a system undergoing profound technological shifts—from cyber warfare and artificial intelligence to complex network dynamics and the erosion of traditional borders—all of which challenge established political and cultural structures. The theme invites artists to engage with an environment where change is not linear but rather accelerated, discontinuous, and often unpredictable. The artist's role is explicitly defined as active and transformative: not merely an observer, but an "operator" capable of intervening in current models, "hacking" dominant narratives, and paving the way for alternative scenarios.

The winning project will be announced on May 25, 2026. The selected artwork will be showcased from June 13 to 15, 2026, in Naples, at Villa Doria D'Angri, during a conference organized by ctrl/shift. This event will foster a dynamic interplay between contemporary artistic practices and technological transformations, specifically delving into concepts of identity, Europe, and sovereignty in our hyperconnected era.

The winning artist will receive a prize of 5,000 euros, which includes the costs for production and transportation of the artwork. The completed piece will then become the property of ctrl/shift. Additionally, the selected artist will be actively integrated into the platform's activities throughout the Neapolitan event.

A distinguished jury, comprising Fabio Agovino, Marco Bassan, Gianluca Di Bella, Fabrizio Romano Genovese, and Daniela Zangrando, will be responsible for evaluating the proposals. Their assessment will focus on the quality, originality, and thematic coherence of each submission.