The Biosfera Prize is a competition in its first edition, created for Pesaro Italian Capital of Culture 2024. The central theme of the competition is "The Nature of Culture," aiming to engage artists, creatives, designers, and musicians in creating immersive, site-specific audiovisual works to be displayed within the Biosfera, a large LED sculptural installation located in Piazza del Popolo in Pesaro, and the symbol of Pesaro 2024.
The Biosfera, with a diameter of 4 meters and a structure over 6 meters tall, features more than 2.5 million LEDs and a spatialized sound system, designed to offer the public a fully immersive 360-degree experience.
The goal of the competition is to explore the relationship between humans, nature, and technology, encouraging the use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and 3D Generative Simulations. The works can be new or pre-existing, as long as they are adapted to the spherical format of the Biosfera. The competition aims to stimulate artistic creation in an innovative context, promoting the discovery of the local territory and the enhancement of cultural and environmental heritage.
How to Participate
The competition is open to anyone working in the field of new digital technologies, regardless of nationality, as long as they are 18 years old by the competition deadline. Teams and collectives are also welcome to participate. Participation is free, and each candidate can submit only one work.
To participate, candidates must register via a form on the Fondazione Pescheria - Centro Arti Visive Pesaro website and submit the required documents, including:
* A PDF file with the title, synopsis of the work, and technical details;
* A curriculum vitae and portfolio with up to 10 representative projects;
* A preview video/audio of the work, with a maximum duration of 15 minutes and specific technical requirements.
The works will be evaluated in two stages: a preliminary evaluation to check for compliance with the technical requirements and a subsequent assessment by a jury of industry experts.
Selection Criteria and Awards
The works will be selected by a jury of experts based on originality, technological innovation, alignment with the theme "The Nature of Culture," technical feasibility, and aesthetic quality. After the initial admission phase, the jury will select the proposals that will form a shortlist of projects. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit the final complete file, which will be evaluated to determine the prize winner.
One winner will be awarded a cash prize of €4,000, and three special mentions will each receive €500. Additionally, the selected works will be promoted through the official channels of Pesaro 2024, providing artists with visibility and networking opportunities. The awarded works will be showcased in the Biosfera during the final ceremony and included in the programming for the following weeks.
Timeline
* Launch of the Biosfera Prize and opening of applications: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
* Deadline for applications: December 15, 2024
* Announcement of shortlisted projects: December 20, 2024
* Deadline for submission of final shortlisted projects: January 3, 2024
* Announcement of winners: January 6, 2024
* Presentation of winning projects: January 10, 2025
* Award ceremony and presentation of the finalist works: The event will be held in Pesaro at an institutional venue of Pesaro Italian Capital of Culture. The award date will be communicated to the winners via the email addresses provided in the “Application Form.”
At the event, the awarded works will be displayed for the first time inside the Biosfera and will be part of the official Biosfera programming, tied to the schedule of Pesaro Italian Capital of Culture 2024.
Contact
For any information regarding the competition, please write to (mailto:segreteria@fondazionepescheria.it)
Apply
To register, visit the website https://www.fondazionepescheria.it/biosfera-prize/ [www.fondazionepescheria.it]