More than just a form of expression, art represents hope for many communities around the world. But unlike some “fuzzy feeling”, wrote prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba, hope requires work. “You have to actually put in energy, time, and you have to be clear-eyed. And you have to hold fast to a vision.” The Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA) was founded upon this premise back in 2020, a year in which the world was desperate for hope. Each year since, the organization has held an annual arts prize for established and emerging creatives from around the world who showcase work that inspires change.
The 2023 CIRCA PRIZE calls out to artists of all backgrounds to submit work that they believe represents hope and responds to the platform’s 20:23 manifesto, Hope: The Art of Reading What Is Not Yet Written. Throughout September, 30 international artists will have their work shown across the digital screens of London’s Piccadilly Lights with the winning artist receiving a £30,000 GBP / $38,200 USD prize to go towards their practice, along with a trophy designed by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. The jury will include Frank Bowling, Douglas Gordon, Anne Imhof, Michele Lamy, Shirin Neshat, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Josef O’Connor, Olu Odukoya, Norman Rosenthal and Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova.
“The CIRCA PRIZE has established itself as a springboard for rising talent, and I am honored to join the jury alongside so many incredible CIRCA artists,” said Rosenthal. “I look forward to seeing what the future has to offer. Let hope take over the world.” For those looking to enter, please visit CIRCA for more information.
Elsewhere, Austrian artist Erwin Wurm takes over Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
