ARC -Art Revisited Collective addresses an Open Call to visual artists for participation in the 5th international exhibition of its project NEW SYMBOLS, under the title “the splendid error”. The exhibition explores the role of the “error” as a creative approach that challenges imposed social “normality”, fosters innovation in Arts, and promotes open interpretation in contemporary art -a process generating the new visual symbols of our times.
The exhibition will take place in Athens. It is a curated exhibition by Paris Kapralos and Iason Kaerofylas. The official languages of the exhibition are Greek and English. A commemorative digital catalogue will be published in both languages, and the exhibition will also be available online for one month via the ARTgrID platform.
Conceptual framework
Contemporary art continuously redefines its boundaries, seeking alternative modes of signification. The use of error, chance, and the unpredictable is not merely a methodological innovation, but becomes a tool of profound theoretical and social importance.
Inconsistency, rupture or deviation from the pre-established rule no longer signify failure, but become starting points for the creation of new symbolic systems — systems whose meanings are inherently unstable. These unpredictable elements help create a space where interpretation remains open, inviting viewers into an inner reading of the work. The abstract or non-representational language of many contemporary works does not exclude symbolic potential; rather, it shifts it from the iconographically recognizable towards the energetically or conceptually suggestive.
The contemporary trend towards a new symbolism, as a dynamic creation of symbolic fields through the undefined, which links art more deeply to the inner experience of the viewer, and to the need for new meanings in an age of symbolic crisis. This is where art’s political and ethical potential may lie: in its ability to value uncertainty and reintroduce the realm of the error as a space for creative and social development.
Theme and type of works. The exhibition welcomes works across the full range of visual expression, from representational or semi-representational works that retain reference to recognizable form, to abstract, non-figurative, or gestural pieces, provided they engage with the theme of error, chance, and deviation. The presence of iconographic elements is not a requirement, nor is it excluded; works of any degree of abstraction are welcome.
The theme is essentially open to each artist’s interpretation, provided it resonates with the exhibition’s conceptual framework. You may submit works in practically any medium, including but not limited to: painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital art, photography, collage, textile/fiber art, art objects, ceramics, wabi sabi-inspired objects, small-scale and wall mounted installations, video art.
About the project “New Symbols”
The “New Symbols” project emerged from discussions with members of the collective with the curators and other artists for the last 6 years, a process concluded to the initialization of the project, originally seeking a new symbolic language for the visual arts today, capable of expressing the complexities of the contemporary world. Its aim is to generate allegories that encourage reflection and contribute to the symbolic vocabulary of our time. Apart from the current exhibition focus, there is an ongoing open public discussion on similar matters at a special Facebook Page for the Project HERE. There is an ongoing
About ARC -Art Revisited Collective
Founded in 2018 by visual artists from Greece, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom, together with curator Paris Kapralos, ARC -Art Revisited Collective is an independent, self-funded group that organizes exhibitions and contributes to international events and discourse. It embraces all styles and forms of artistic practice. Full information is available on its website HERE.
What to submit. Please email your submission to artistsartgrid@gmail.com with the subject line “SYMBOLS 5” and include:
- (1) Photographs of up to two available works, each as a separate high-resolution jpg file of good clarity and large size. Note: these are the actual works to be exhibited if selected. Works on paper must be photographed without frame or glass.
- (2) A text file listing the details of each work, using the filename (e.g. A1.JPG) as reference and including, in this order: artist’s full name, title of work, materials and technique, dimensions (in cm: height x width for wall-hung works or height x width x depth for sculpture), and year of completion.
- (3) Your contact information: full name, email address, phone number.
✨ For Video Art submissions, please send your video files via wetransfer and include all other details in your email, or provide a link (Vimeo, YouTube) where the full video can be viewed.
Important notes
– Questions and clarification requests regarding the submission process must be sent in writing to the above email and will be answered within 24 hours.
– Information about the exhibition’s logistics and any proposal made to selected artists will be communicated only to those artists after the selection process.
– Submissions that are incomplete or do not follow the requested format will be disregarded.
– If selected, you will receive a confirmation email with full instructions for participation.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Sunday 15 February at 23:59.
