Ripples Open Call

——— THEMES ———

We are products of our environment, shaped by the countless influences that surround us. Our actions, like ripples on the surface of a pond, extend far beyond their initial point of origin. From the habits we adopt to the sayings we share, every interaction leaves an expanding mark on the world. A ripple is transient, but its effects continue in a way that cannot easily be traced back to the source. Ripples dives into the interconnectedness of human experience, unveiling the subtle threads that bind us together.

Yet with these connections comes a heavy responsibility. A small lie, though it may seem insignificant, can spiral into a web of deceit, distorting our perception of reality. Algorithmic judgments perpetuate injustices and undermine public trust. Increased gas emissions over time trigger a cascade of changed climate patterns and biodiversity. We carry the burden of every choice we make, and wading through the aftermath is a constant reminder of the impact we have on the world and each other. As our understanding of the world grows, augmented by predictive technologies, so does the weight of every decision with its endless knowable and unknowable consequences. 

Ripples shows the interconnectedness of human existence, exploring how individual actions ripple through our lives and the world around us. This exhibition celebrates and challenges the power of connection and the nature of human interdependence. We are invited to explore the complexities of our shared existence and reflect on the waves that emerge from us and those that engulf us. 

Ripples is a pop-up exhibition presented by the New Media Artspace of Baruch College. We invite artists to explore these themes and topics, and we are accepting proposals for artwork in progress or existing artworks that fall within the exhibition subjects. We encourage proposals that are inspired by these ideas or go beyond them. Selected works will be shown in a virtual pop-up exhibition.

——— TOPICS ———

• Action and causality

• Interconnectedness

• Ripple effect

• Responsibility/influence of individual actions

• Consequences of lies/misinformation

• Social dynamics and community

• Chaos and complex systems

• Decision-making, predictive models and data analytics

• Contingency and randomness

• Determinism and indeterminism

• Fate and free will

——— MEDIUMS ———

For this exhibition, we are accepting new media art projects that span video, audio, Unity (WebGL), p5.js, 3D, network performances, photography, and more.

——— DEADLINES ———

Proposals must be submitted by May 8, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Final artworks must be submitted by June 21, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST.