OPEN CALL
TO INTERNATIONAL
ARTISTS AND CURATORS
LIVING IN EUROPE
two artworks and one research residency
GUIDELINES
Roots & Seeds XXI aims to promote sustainable habits through the use of Art & Science’s approaches and practices. The project wants to encourage audiences to take better care of the environment, and more particularly of plants. We understand the botanical world from a non-anthropocentric perspective, and we aim to present it as a model for a more sustainable future through our activities, workshops and this Open Call for the production of two artworks (organised by Quo Artis) and a research residency (organised by Leonardo/Olats).
DECEMBER 15TH,
2020
DEADLINE:
FEBRUARY 15TH,
2021
RESULTS:
APRIL 15TH,
2021
This Open Call will support:
TWO ARTWORK PRODUCTIONS
Aimed at international sciart artists or artist collectives, both established and emerging, living in Europe and working with any kind of media and formats.
ONE RESEARCH RESIDENCY
Aimed at international sciart artists or curators living in Europe, to start, pursue or close a research related to the biodiversity crisis and plant resistance, without an obligation of production or predetermined outcome.
Applicants in both categories must address the biodiversity crisis focused on the botanical world. Their projects have to be developed in direct collaboration with scientific professionals and/or institutions.
In addition to the production of the artworks and the residency, the authors of the three selected projects will benefit from participating in some of Roots & Seeds XXI’s international training and exchange of knowledge events (LASER Paris meetings, Multidisciplinary Garden Cartographies and Art-Sci Forum, among others). All the travel costs related to the participation in these activities will be covered by the Roots and Seeds XXI Consortium.
The two produced artworks and the result of the research residency will be presented and exhibited at Ars Electronica Festival (Linz) in 2022.The transport of the artworks and the artists to Ars Electronica will be covered by Quo Artis. In the residency’s case, the format of presentation will be agreed between the project representative and Root & Seeds XXI’s partners.
The Call is open to applicants of any nationality, but based in Europe, including non-EU countries.

How to apply:
- Entries will be submitted exclusively by email to opencall@rootsandseedsxxi.eu . Please state "Category - Artist Name" (for example: 'PRODUCTION - Artist Name' or 'RESIDENCY - Artist Name'), as the subject of the email.
- Fill out the application forms: for PRODUCTION or RESIDENCY
- Send a single PDF (maximum 5 MB)
- Only one project, which must be new, will be accepted per person or group. Nevertheless, the applicants are allowed to submit ONE proposal for both categories (production and residency).
- There is no limitation on the medium/technique, but both scientific and artistic ideas and collaborations must be represented.
- The application must be written in English.
- No entry or administration fee is required.
Jury:
The projects will be selected by an international jury.
The Residency Jury will be:
- Roger Malina, Astronomer, Executive Editor of the Leonardo publications at MIT Press, President of Leonardo/Olats (France)
- Ramuntcho Matta, Artist, Founder and Director of Lizières Cultural and Resource center (France)
- Victoria Vesna, Artist (USA)
- Claudia Schnugg, Curator and Researcher in Art-Science (Austria)
- Oriane Hidalgo, Botanist, Botanical Institute of Barcelona (Spain)
- Annick Bureaud, Art Critic, Curator and Director of Leonardo/Olats (France)
- Tatiana Kourochkina, Director of Quo Artis Foundation (Spain)
The Production Jury will be:
- Valentino Catricalà, curator at SODA Gallery Manchester and lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (IT/UK)
- Lucio Montecchio, Researcher and Professor of Forest Pathology at the University of Padova and member of the Board of the Botanical Garden of Padova (IT)
- Aliya Sakhariyeva, Art historian, Director of the Art & Science Center and Master Degree Program, ITMO University (KZ/RU)
- Vid Simoniti, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, Director of MA in Art, Aesthetics and Cultural Institutions (SI/UK)
- Nicola Triscott, Curator, co-founder of Arts Catalyst and the director of FACT Liverpool (UK).
Selection:
ARTWORK PRODUCTION VALUED IN 12.500€ OR LESS
This sum can either cover the total or the partial amount of the production costs. If the latter, it must be detailed in the submission form, specifying how and who will cover the rest of the production expenses.
The project must be completed in a maximum period of twelve months, starting in May 2021.
ARTWORK PRODUCTION VALUED IN 5.500€ OR LESS
This sum can either cover the total or the partial amount of the production costs. If the latter, it must be detailed in the submission form, specifying how and who will cover the rest of the production expenses.
The project must be completed in a maximum period of twelve months, starting in May 2021.
14 DAY RESEARCH RESIDENCY IN THE FRAME OF LEONARDO/OLATS PROGRAMME “MM - MAISON MALINA RESIDENCIES”, PARIS- APRIL 2022
The "MM Residencies" offer time and a space for reflection, meetings and exchanges without any production obligations. This residency will be focused on research – please bear in mind there will be no workshop space available.
The selected person is encouraged to suggest or propose a person he/she wishes to meet and with whom he/she wishes to build or develop a project - or simply engage in a dialogue with.
The person will be hosted for free in the Malina’s House. The selected proposal will receive a grant of 1.400€ (1.000€ as a grant - 400€ for total daily subsistence). This Open Call will cover travel costs.

General
An official schedule will be set after the announcement of the selected projects.No additional benefits or extensions may be requested.
The author or authors must mention Roots & Seeds XXI. Biodiversity Crisis and Plant Resistance and the Support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union every time the artwork and research outcomes are exhibited or advertised by any means or in any other field.