DongGang International Open Call ends 1 June 2025

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Deadline: 1 June 2025. Assimilate them, Refine them, Slit them

‘Aesthetic objectification’ refers to the process by which humans view and interpret certain subjects through the lens of beauty. This process can apply to everything from natural scenery to everyday items, and it is shaped by each individual’s unique viewpoint. During the objectification process, people project their emotions and interpretations onto the subject, thereby assigning new meaning and value to it. Through the act of seeing anew, we also recognize the discrepancies between what we see and what we know.

The world we inhabit is far from flat or simple. It is a multidimensional space where countless narratives intertwine. Thus, the relationship between seeing and knowing cannot be defined by a single point of view —it is fluid and constantly evolving. It is a state in which elements can be added or removed; in which what doesn’t belong can be carved away. During the process of such entanglement and deconstruction, new forms emerge—fresh, unexpected, and alive. This process ignites our imagination and invites new visions. It enables richer, more diverse experiences beyond the ordinary, expanding the boundaries of thought at the threshold between reality and ideal. As the realm of thinking itself widens, a platform emerges from which new creative ideas can spring forth.

We invite you to depart from conventional discourse, delve into the essence of the image, and imagine anew—through your own singular gaze.

Prizes:

Selected 15 – 20 artists including ‘Artist of the year’ (individual artist or 1 team of winner) will benefit from:
A-year-long exhibition that exposures at the DIPF Festival – inclusion in art magazine, any related press (long term festival representation and promotion on official website, publications, catalog that being seen by a substantial number of visual arts professionals and the media) where the works viewed by an international panel of influential experts in the field of photography

* ‘Artist of the year’ – solo exhibition at DIPF (production – printing, framing or related presentation material will be provided) and eligible for travel and accommodation to attend the opening.

Photo Contest Website: https://www.dgphotofestival.com/2025opencall