News — Dec 9, 2013

for the exhibition Narrative Perspectives

Many photos function as autonomous objects that are made for, and presented on, the walls of an exhibition. Both the photo reportage and the book are classic ways of telling stories through photographs. Photographers and visual artists also explore the boundaries of the photographic medium in a myriad of combinations and presentation typologies. Working within these frameworks, and frequently drawing on material from an array of sources, artists develop new structures and narratives. In addition, the computer also offers a virtually infinite spectrum of possibilities, facilitating other, less linear, alternatives. This is visible on websites, and may also impact upon graphic design and the narrative content of more traditional platforms.

The Stedelijk Museum is looking for photographers and artists whose photographic work focuses on exploring new, playful, critical and challenging forms of narrativity. The dialogue between (graphic) design and photographic content must be eloquent and convincing. We welcome work in all formats: photoseries, books, apps, websites, time-based presentations – all types of presentation modes are considered.

To qualify for the exhibition which will be held in the summer of 2014, artists and photographers can submit existing work, or work in progress. An expert panel will review the submissions and select the work for inclusion in the exhibition. The director of the Stedelijk Museum will choose the works to be purchased for the museum’s permanent collection from among those on exhibit.

The exhibition Narrative Perspectives will take place at the Stedelijk Museum on Museum Square, Amsterdam. Proposals for Municipal Art Acquisitions is open only to artists living and/or working in the Netherlands. Documentation must consist of no more than 10 works.

Your submission must contain the following information:

  • Personal details
  • Training
  • (solo and group) exhibitions
  • A statement accompanying the submitted work
  • A list of documentation.

Please provide your submission and documentation in digital format wherever possible. Your submission must be sent to the following email address (files over 500 Kb must be sent using WeTransfer): submit2014@stedelijk.nl
or by mail to:

Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam

Gemeentelijke Kunstaankopen
t.a.v. Martine Kilburn

Postbus 75082
1070 AB Amsterdam

You must submit your application and documentation no later than 31 January 2014. Applicants will be informed of the results of the adjudication with instructions on collecting their documentation, by 1 May 2014. You will not be contacted by telephone. The selected artists will feature in an exhibition and in the accompanying publication.

Further details can be obtained from the project leader Martine Kilburn at: m.kilburn@stedelijk.nl

The Stedelijk Museum has been responsible for organizing the Proposals for Municipal Art Acquisitions since 1995. In 2011, it was decided that the exhibition should be mounted bi-annually rather than yearly. Each edition of the contest highlights a particular discipline in the fine and applied arts, which is determined beforehand. The directorate of the Stedelijk appoints an expert panel of jurors; in 2013/2014, the jury comprises two curators of the Stedelijk Museum and three external experts.