Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (PDF)
Application Form, english (PDF)
Art. 1 - AIM
The Blob ART Cultural Association is announcing an art prize aimed at promoting and enhancing Contemporary Art. The competition entails the selection of 80 artworks from five different categories Painting, Drawing, Photography, Video Arts - Performance, Sculpture and Installation. It will culminate in the exhibition of the finalists' works; the publication of a catalogue; the awarding of prize money; the awarding of a special prize by the Blob ART Cultural Association; three special prizes by Lucca Art Fair and a special prize by Poliart. The exhibition, as well as the judging panel’s voting and the award ceremony, will be held in Livorno, Italy, at the "Museo Civico G. Fattori, ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli", from 18 September to 9 October 2021.
Art. 2 - ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This competition is open to all contemporary artists worldwide. There are no age restrictions or thematic constraints. The five categories are:
PAINTING CATEGORY
The selection of the artworks will be based on the key criteria of quality, research, originality and contemporaneity. There are no restrictions regarding the subject, technique or style. However, all submissions should be paintings. A painting is defined as any use or manual application of oil, tempera, acrylic, industrial paints, ink, etching, graphite, watercolours or vinyl on any media, including pre-printed media; collages and multi-material works are also accepted. Artworks must not exceed 200 x 200cm.
DRAWING CATEGORY – ON PAPER
This category is only open to artworks that are realized on cardboard or paper. The selection of artworks will be based on the key criteria of quality, project development, research, originality and contemporaneity. In this category, the use of the following techniques is allowed: drawing, watercolours, gouache, various forms of engraving and printmaking in digital, in relief, cable (xylography, etching, etc.), computer graphics and other mixed techniques. Artworks must not exceed 152x122* cm.
*The Drawing category artworks selected for the final stage can be sent rolled up or without a frame. The Blob ART Cultural Association will provide for assembly or framing at no additional cost.
PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY
The selection will be based on the key criteria of formal quality and conceptual originality of the artwork. There are no thematic restrictions. Media accepted for the competition are digital and analogue photos, colour and b/w photos; and all the expressive means of photographic art. Artworks must not exceed 200 cm on each side.
SCULPTURE and INSTALLATION CATEGORY
The selection of the artworks will be based on the criteria of quality, research, originality and contemporaneity. In the Sculpture and Installation category, the use of raw or manipulated materials, media, objects and expressive means, both traditional and innovative (sound art, kinetic art, video andsound installation, etc.) is allowed. The artworks may include interactive elements such as moving electrical or mechanical parts, sounds, lights and videos, used separately or in combination. Artworks should be registered by sending photos, videos or audio files. Artworks must not exceed 4 x 3m with a maximum allowed height of 3m.
VIDEO ARTS - PERFORMANCE
The Video Arts – Performance category is open to video artworks and performance art, experimental animations, video research, abstract videos, video portraits, excluding fiction. Videos shall run for a minimum of 1 minute to a maximum of 30 minutes.
Art. 3 - TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION
Artists wishing to submit an artwork must register by April 30 May 31, 2021 using one of the following methods:
a) ONLINE The registration form is accessible at: http://www.premiocombat.it/register. The form allows you to select the category and upload your artwork(s).
b) SHIPMENT BY POST, COURIER OR HAND DELIVERY The envelope, addressed to the head office of the Prize at Associazione Culturale Blob ART, Via Luigi Boccherini, 22 - 57124 LIVORNO – ITALIA must contain:
- the Application form
- a short biographical statement
- a picture of each artwork (maximum size: 20x30cm), including the artist’s name and surname, country, title, size, technique, year on the back side of the picture
- copy of proof of payment of the registration fee
Art. 4 - REGISTRATION FEE
The registration fee, which covers part of the organizing costs, is Euros 50 (fifty) for the first artwork submitted, and Euros 40 (forty) for each additional artwork. It is possible to enter more than one artwork in one or more categories. Where more than one artwork is submitted, a cumulative payment should be made. The registration fee should be paid in Euros, and applicants are responsible for paying any bank fees or commission.
Fees are not refundable. The acceptable payment methods are:
- Online by credit card via PayPal on http://www.premiocombat.it/register (if the card is not registered in the artist's name, please write both the name of the holder and the name of the artist at info@premiocombat.it)
- Bank transfer to: Blob ART ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE with the reference 'PREMIO COMBAT PRIZE and artist’s name and surname. Bank details: Banco Posta, filiale di LIVORNO, ITALY - IBAN IT67 A076 0113 9000 0009 7568 935 - Bic/Swift BPPIITRRXXX
- Western Union: to: Name: Paolo - Surname: Batoni - Address: Via Luigi Boccherini, 22 - City: Livorno - Country: Italy.
The transaction code must be stated on the application form.
Art. 5 - PUBLICATION OF ARTWORKS
Works of art entered in the Painting, Photography, Drawing, Video Arts - Performance, Sculpture and Installation categories will be published online on the Combat Prize website. At no additional cost, each artist will have a personal page featuring the artwork in the contest, and up to three other artworks that complement it along with descriptions. The complementary artworks can be added, at no charge, after registering the competition piece/s, but will not be considered in the final selection. Artists who do not wish to appear on the site can choose the option "I do not agree" when registering: the artworks will not be visible to the public and will only be accessible to the judges.
Art. 6 - JUDGING PANEL AND SELECTION
A seven-member artistic judging panel will select the works. After the initial short-listing of the submissions, selected artists will be asked to send their original artworks to be included in the group exhibition. The selected shortlist will consist of 30 works from the Painting category, 10 from the Drawing category, 20 from the Photography category, 10 from the Video Arts - Performance category, and 10 from the Sculpture and Installation category. All transportation costs (delivery of the artwork to the Organization premises and its return to the artist) shall be covered by the participants. The judges will select the winners in the five different categories and the winners of the Special Prizes. The judges’ decisions shall be final.
Art. 7 - PRIZES
Prizes will be distributed as shown below:
€ 6000 (six thousand) Euros to the winner of Painting category
€ 6000 (six thousand) Euros to the winner of the Sculpture and Installation category
€ 4000 (four thousand) Euros to the winner of the Photography category
€ 3000 (three thousand) Euros to the winner of the Drawing category
€ 3000 (three thousand) Euros to the winner of the Video Arts - Performance category
* (the winning artwork will remain property of the artist)
Special Prize SAC - spazio arte contemporanea - awarded by the Associazione culturale Blob ART – individual exhibition at SAC - spazio arte contemporanea Livorno.
Special Prize Poliart* - The leading makers of polystyrene foam will reward an artist selected among the finalists by supporting the production of a new artwork.
Special Prize Art Tracker* - Three artists will be selected from the Combat Prize finalists to be included in the calendar of the LUCCA ART FAIR with a curatorial project that will be exhibited during the event in 2022.
As required by the law, a tax of 25% will be withheld from all prize money. The winning artworks in the Painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Installation, Photography categories and the winning artwork of the Special prize Sac, will become property of the Associazione Culturale Blob ART. All the other artworks, including the winners of the Video Arts - Performance category, and Special Prize Art Tracker Special Prize Poliart will remain the property of the artists.
Art. 8 - SPECIAL PRIZE – SAC spazio arte contemporanea
The Blob ART Cultural Association, will promote the winner artist of the SAC spazio arte contemporanea within its 2022 calendar of events through a personal exhibition/installation and the publication of a catalogue. The winning artwork of the SAC spazio arte contemporanea will remain the property of the Blob ART Cultural Association.
Art. 9 - SPECIAL PRIZE – POLIART
Poliart, leading makers of polystyrene foam, will reward an artist selected among the finalists by supporting the production of a new work. The technical specifications of realization are visible on the special prizes page. The artwork will remain the property of the artist.
Art. 10 - SPECIAL PRIZE – ART TRACKER – LUCCA ART FAIR
Three artists under 35 will be selected from the Combat Prize finalists to be included in the calendar of the LUCCA ART FAIR with a curatorial project that will be exhibited during the event in 2022. The project will be coordinated by a curator (under 35) with the general supervision and organization of the exhibition team.
Art. 11 - STAGES AND DEADLINES
Registration Deadline - April 30 May 31, 2021
Announcing of the selected 80 finalists - the June 26, 2021
Finalists Exhibition - from September 18 to October 9, 2021 at "Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori ex Granai di Villa Mimbelli" Livorno, Italy
Award announcement and Ceremony - Saturday October 9, 2021
Art. 12 - CATALOGUE
The catalogue, published by Casa Editrice Sillabe s.r.l., will contain 132 pages, 160 illustrations and critical texts written by the judges in Italian and English. Each finalist will receive a free copy, while participating artists will enjoy a discount. Copies of the catalogue can be purchased at the final exhibition, or online from the publisher at www.sillabe.it.
Art. 13 - LIABILITY
The organization, Associazione Culturale Blob ART, will ensure the greatest care of the artworks in its custody. However, it will not be liable for theft, fire or any damages to artworks or people that might occur during the organization of the event. Any insurance request should be submitted directly by the participants.
Art. 14 - AGREEMENT
Competition participants authorize the Associazione Culturale Blob ART and its legal representative to use their personal data according to the Italian privacy law (Legislative Decree 675/96 et seq. 196/2003), including the entry into databanks managed by the organization. Participants shall grant all reproduction rights to the submitted artworks and texts, free of charge, to the Associazione Culturale Blob ART and its legal representative, for the publication of the catalogue, publication on the Prize website and any other forms of communication, promotion and activities of the Organization. Submitted materials will not be returned. The Prize organizers have the right to make a final decision on any matter that is not specified in these competition rules. The Organization reserves the right to amend these competition rules when necessary. Registering and participating in the competition implies the knowledge and total acceptance of these rules.
