Aluminium, beneath the surface

COMEL Vanna Migliorin Contemporary Art Award

 ‘Aluminium, beneath the surface’

11th edition

Entries open until June 23, 2024

The call for entries for the 11th edition of the COMEL Award is open: the international competition promoting the aesthetic use of aluminium.

Each year, artists living and working in one of the European continent's countries are invited to participate by entering an aluminum work. Each year, they are invited to create following a specific theme that enhances one of the characteristics of this metal.

This year's theme "Aluminium, Beneath the Surface": it is an invitation to go beyond appearances and look for what is most hidden. An appeal that derives directly from aluminium's characteristic of resisting corrosion thanks to a very specific defensive mechanism: in contact with oxygen, a film is created on the surface of the metal. This thin and resistant protective layer prevents aluminium from losing its physical and chemical characteristics. People also often hide their feelings as a defensive mechanism, so under the surface, behind the mask, it is possible to find the true nature of things. Art allows us to express thoughts, memories, and emotions that we are not always able to put into words; artistic language will enable us to show what we do not dare to express verbally.

It will be possible to register for the competition until June 23, 2024. When the call for entries closes, a jury of experts, chaired by critic and writer Giorgio Agnisola, will select 13 finalist works that will be exhibited in Latina at Spazio COMEL in October 2024. Among the finalists, the winner of the 11th edition, who will collect a cash prize of 3500 euros, and the winner of the Audience Award, the author of the work most voted by visitors to the exhibition, will be chosen. Both winners will return to the COMEL Space for a solo exhibition.

Participation is free of charge; to register or receive more information, please visit www.premiocomel.it