Call for Artists and Collectives: Feelings and Photography

They are looking for artistic works that move within the spectrum of themes related to feelings. The open call focuses on contemporary phenomena in photography and at the same time takes a look at what makes them feel in the world. It also asks the question of what they empathize with and under what conditions. Feelings are one of the last specifics of human or natural life and seem to be a key distinguishing feature from the overwhelming power of machines.

At the same time, feelings are deliberately built into media and visual communications and algorithms challenge their daily emotional reactions as image consumers. They are something internal, but at the same time socially shaped; feelings are deeply personal and yet not private; feelings have political explosiveness and are often negated at the same time; feelings influence biographies and create new visibility; feelings form bonds and at the same time transform social structures. In short: feelings shape the forms of their existence and coexistence in the world.

Funding Information

• Each juried position will receive an exhibition fee of €500.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Photoszene Open Call is open to all artists of legal age
• The Photoszene Open Call is aimed at artists, photographers, as well as students and graduates who work with the medium of photography and its extended tools
• The Photoszene Open Call is advertised internationally.

Application Requirements

• An artistic work (individual work, series, installation) to participate in a curated group exhibition at the Photoszene Festival in May/June 2025.
• The theme of the open call is entitled “Feelings & Photography”. The photography scene is therefore interested in artistic works that are characterized by current themes on the subject of “feelings”.
• Photographic series can be submitted that tell of feelings and various states, but also trigger emotions in form and execution when looking at the pictures.
• The works can be linked to the theme “Feelings” in terms of content and/or technology.
• The jury evaluates a specific artistic expression that reveals new forms of photographic storytelling.

For more information, visit International Photo Scene Cologne.