Call for Nominations: FutureTense Awards (3rd Edition)

FutureTense strives to foster collaboration and intellectual exchange within the realm of new media arts. Since its inception in 2019, it has served as a non-profit platform dedicated to bringing arts, design and technology to the public. Their primary focus is on curating and nurturing artists and creative practitioners who harness the transformative power of art and technology. By actively promoting new media arts, they aim to inspire creativity and engage communities in the emerging possibilities of the future. Together, they cultivate a vibrant ecosystem that embraces innovation and artistic excellence.

Theme

• How would you “Define Safe”?
• FutureTense Awards 3rd Edition is inviting creative interpretations on the theme of “Define Safe” across different dimensions. Artists are encouraged to explore one of the following themes and submit their work:
  • Define Safe for “Humans”: Illustrate what safety means for humans. Your artwork can depict physical, emotional, psychological, or societal aspects of human safety. Consider how environments, relationships, and systems contribute to a safe existence for individuals and communities.
  • Define Safe for “Environment”: Create a piece that represents the safety of our environment. Show practices and principles that protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. Highlight measures that prevent environmental degradation and promote sustainability.
  • Define Safe for “A.I.”: Depict what safety means in the context of artificial intelligence. Explore themes such as ethical AI, transparency, reliability, and security. Consider how AI can be designed and implemented to align with human values and operate safely within society.
  • Define Safe for “Mind”: “心安” translates to “peace of mind” or “inner peace.” Capture the essence of achieving “心安” through your art. Reflect on cultural, philosophical, spiritual, and personal interpretations of inner tranquility and how individuals can find peace amidst life’s challenges.

Award Categories

• Media Art Award (Physical Base):
  • Media Art Award focuses on the works that are difficult to evaluate by conventional standards, as well as those with any new forms of expression that have the potential to be revered as works of art in the future. Any art form that demonstrates the usage of advanced new media technologies to transmit content through connection and conversation, or from virtual to physical, would be categorized under the Media Art Award.
  • Types of artwork include:
    • Experiential Installation
    • Immersive and Interactive Art Installation
    • Robotics, Kinetic Art, Cyborg Art and Biotechnology
    • 3D Printing, Digital Fabrication, and IoT Device Art
    • Light/Sound/Generative Sculpture
    • Performative Installation
• Digital Art Award (Virtual Base):
  • Digital Art Award accepts any genre as long as the works present an original digital expression that can be viewed, carried out, operated, and/or recorded digitally. The works should make full use of advanced media technologies, express a critical perspective on technology, or demonstrate a balance of contents and techniques.
  • Types of artwork include but are not limited to:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Learning
    • Extended Reality (XR) includes: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR)
    • Blockchain-Based and Crypto Art
    • Metaverse
    • Audio-Visual Performance
    • Software Art
    • Net, Mobile Art, and Video Games
    • Sound Art and Graphical Notation
    • Generative Art and Procedural Animation
    • Virtual and Digital Community
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Honorable Mention(s) will be awarded for media and digital art categories to encourage young artists and will be decided by the judging panel.
• Best Popularity Award:
  • When the entry is closed, the shortlisted entries from all award categories are put forward to the nomination list for the Best Popularity Award. The shortlist of Best Popularity Award nominees will be announced in March 2025 and the public voting period will open immediately and run until April 2025. The artwork that receives the highest votes shall be the award winner.
• Present Prize:
  • The Present Prize, supported by “此在Zai Academy”, is specifically designed to recognize artworks that explore the concept of “identity”.

Prize Information 

• Media Art Award (Physical Base):
  • Up to HKD$15,000 for Artwork Production
  • Exhibition Opportunity and Exposure
  • Award Trophy and Artwork Production Assistance
• Digital Art Award (Virtual Base):
  • Up to HKD$15,000 for Artwork Production
  • Exhibition Opportunity and Exposure
  • Award Trophy and Artwork Production Assistance
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Up to HKD$5,000 for Artwork Production
  • Exhibition Opportunity and Exposure
  • Artwork Production Assistance
• Best Popularity Award:
  • Up to HKD$10,000 for Artwork Production
  • Exhibition Opportunity and Exposure
  • Award Trophy and Artwork Production Assistance
• Present Prize:
  • HKD$15,000 Cash Prize
  • Exhibition Opportunity and Exposure
  • Artwork Production Assistance

Geographical Focus 

• Based in Asia. Asia region includes: Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, and South East Asia.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be Aged 30 or below.

For more information, visit FutureTense.