CALL FOR ENTRIES:

"Impressions of Memory"

Group Exhibition of Contemporary Cyanotypes September 12–27, 2026

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Imago is a photography association that has always focused on historical and alternative printing techniques, not merely as tools, but as different ways of approaching and conceptualizing photography. This is the inspiration behind this exhibition on cyanotype: an opportunity to share what we know, learn from others, and engage with artists, experimenters, and enthusiasts.

With this 2026 Cyanotype Competition, we aim to create an open space for exchange, where the technique serves as a starting point to explore the theme of “Residue” and reflect on what remains of images, memories, and ourselves, in a time that moves ever faster.

Terms and conditions

Art. 1 – THE THEME

Cyanotype is the art of fixing a shadow through sunlight. In an era dominated by digital immediacy and the fragility of human connections, we invite artists to explore the concept of “Residue“. What remains of us when everything accelerates? We are looking for works that use Prussian blue not merely as an aesthetic choice, but as an artistic investigation into memory, ecology, and identity.

Art. 2 – THE EXHIBITION

The exhibition will take place from September 12 to 27, open on Saturdays and Sundays at:

Galleria Spazio Imago
Via V. Veneto 33/20 – 52100 AREZZO, ITALY

Art. 3 – THE JURY

The works will be selected by an outstanding jury panel:

Denis Curti (Jury President): Curator, Artistic Director of Deloitte’s PhotoGrant. Founder of the photography gallery Still in Milan.
Claudia Ioan: Professional photographer, Lecturer and Coordinator of the FIAF Educational Department.
Roberto Lavini: Professional photographer, expert in historical photographic techniques and alternative processes.

Art. 4 – ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The call is open to photographers, visual artists, and experimental practitioners.

Technique: Only works created using cyanotype techniques (pure cyanotype, toned cyanotype, or mixed media) will be accepted.
Artistic Approach: The selection will reward artistic vision and the ability to interpret the theme conceptually.
Installations: Given the size of the gallery (65 linear meters), the jury encourages proposals for installations or series (e.g. sequences of prints, works on large fabrics, or three-dimensional supports).

Art. 5 – APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND FEES

To encourage maximum participation, the selection phase is completely free of charge.

  1. Phase 1 (Digital Selection): Free submission of a portfolio (max. 10 images or 2 installation proposals) in JPG format by July 25, 2026.
  2. Phase 2 (Confirmation and Participation): Selected artists will receive official notification. To confirm the exhibition space and contribute to the Association’s expenses, a fixed participation fee is required:
    Exhibition Fee: €50.00 (per exhibited work, up to a maximum of €300 agreed upon with the curatorial team for multiple works).
    Installation Fee: To be agreed upon according to the size and complexity of the installation, from a minimum of €200 up to a maximum of €500.
    Return Shipping Fee: Return shipping costs must be paid together with the exhibition fee.
    The fee includes: installation, dismantling, supervision, printed and digital communication, and inclusion in the exhibition catalogue. Payment must be completed no later than August 3, 2026 via bank transfer to BPER, IBAN: IT76I0538714102000042122618, or electronically via PayPal to imagotesoreria@gmail.com, specifying full name and the event title in the payment reference.

Art. 6 – SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Artists must send the following materials to improntamemoria@imagoarezzo.com (or complete the application form on the website):

  • Max. 5 JPG images with the shortest side at 2000 pixels, or a PDF presenting the installation project.
  • A short biography and a conceptual statement about the submitted work (max. 1000 characters).

Art. 7 – SHIPPING AND DELIVERY OF THE WORKS

Physical works must arrive ready for installation (framed or with appropriate mounting supports).
Shipping costs (both ways) are the responsibility of the artist.
The Association reserves the right to curate the exhibition layout in order to ensure harmony within the gallery space.
Selected artists must ensure that the original works arrive no later than August 7, 2026 at the following address:

Antonio Losco > c/o Associazione Fotografica Imago
Loc. Ponte Francese, 160 – 52010 Subbiano (AR), Italy

Please note: The organization declines all responsibility for postal delays or delivery issues. Works that do not arrive by the final deadline of August 23 cannot be included in the exhibition setup; in such cases, due to the impossibility of replacement, participation fees will not be refunded.

Art. 8 – RETURN OF THE WORKS

At the end of the exhibition, works will be returned according to the following procedures:

  1. In-person collection: Available starting from the day after the exhibition closes at the exhibition venue.
  2. Shipping: For artists who have paid the shipping costs, returns will be handled by courier by November 30, 2026.

Art. 9 – ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTION

For the creation of a special collector’s edition catalogue, each selected artist is required to provide one original cyanotype print for each work admitted to the exhibition. This print, which must not exceed the maximum size of 13×18 cm, will become part of a premium edition of the catalogue intended for sale.

Art. 10 – KEY DATES

Deadline for digital submissions: July 25, 2026
Selection results announcement: by July 31, 2026
Deadline for delivery of physical works: August 7, 2026 (strict deadline)
Exhibition dates: September 12 – 27, 2026
Opening event: Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM

DOWNLOAD TERMS &CONDITIONS
ritratto cianotipia
Dettaglio botanico stampato in cianotipia blu
Ritratto artistico di donna seduta in cianotipia
Immagine di medusa in cianotipia
Medusa rappresentata in cianotipia
Facciata di edificio reinterpretata in cianotipia blu

FAQ

Can I participate in the 2026 cyanotype competition?

We welcome the participation of any content creator aged sixteen (16) or older, with the exception of members of the competition jury.

Complete your application by sending photos of your artwork by email, along with a short description and a brief biography. You will receive an email confirmation once your submission has been successfully registered.

Yes.

Yes, you can submit up to 5 projects. Each project will be evaluated individually and will receive the full attention of our jury.

You will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been successfully completed. If you are unsure whether your application went through, you can contact improntamemoria@imagoarezzo.com.

Submitting your project is free of charge.
If you are selected, you will be asked to contribute a small fee that covers installation, de-installation, security, printed and digital communication, and inclusion in the exhibition catalogue. Full details are provided in the regulations.

We use the images to promote the festival and exhibitions, both in print and online. By participating in the Call, you agree to the use of your works. It is our responsibility to correctly attribute credit to each image.

If your project is selected by our jury, the submitted photos will be printed and published in the catalogue and other media related to the festival. For this reason, it is important to upload images with the correct resolution, file name, and quality. We only accept images/projects that include at least one analog process. Fully digital images/projects will not be accepted.

  • Only JPEG files are accepted.
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB
  • Minimum size: 2000 pixels on the longest side
  • 300 dpi

All submitted works must be original photographs taken by the participant and must not have been altered or enhanced using any form of artificial intelligence technology.

Applications that are found to be created using AI technology will only be accepted if this is explicitly stated in the description. The use of AI to alter original artwork photographs will result in disqualification.

The decision on the winners of the 2026 Call will be made by the jury. Our jury is composed of international curators, festival directors, and experts appointed for this purpose. You can find more information about this year’s jury here. The jury members will evaluate all applications individually and independently. Follow the link to learn more about our jury members.

An installation is a three-dimensional artwork designed for a specific space. Its goal is to transform the perception of that space.

Here are three key points that define it:

  • Interactivity: You often don’t just look at it, but “enter” it. The artwork surrounds the viewer, making them part of the experience.
  • Multimedia nature: It can include anything: everyday objects, lights, sounds, video projections, or even smells.
  • Temporality: Many installations are created to exist only for the duration of an exhibition; once dismantled, the work ends or is documented through photos and videos.

In short: it is an artwork that is not hung on a wall, but creates an entire environment in which the audience can immerse themselves.

  1. Submission period (May 1 – July 25, 2026)
  2. The jury will have access to all submitted projects and will select the winning projects by the end of July.
  3. Announcement and contact with all participating artists (early August)
  4. Public announcement of the winners via our website and social media channels (starting from late August 2026)

Submit your application


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