In September 2021, the Kaniv International Sculpture Symposium will take place for the tenth time.

The main aim of the symposium is to develop and support contemporary stone sculpture, both Ukrainian and international, to encourage and support contemporary sculptors, to bring together the best sculptural expertise in one symposium venue, and to discover and support new talents.

The symposium contributes to raising the standard of Ukrainian and international sculpture, fostering an understanding of the interaction between the object and its environment, and presenting three-dimensional art in a freely accessible format. This year, participants will be selected in two ways: 2 artists will be invited by the organisers and 3 artists will take part in the symposium following an open call.

The theme of the symposium: Kaniv, as one of Ukraine’s most picturesque, historically and culturally significant places, a city that has been a source of inspiration for more than one generation of artists. We encourage artists, when preparing their sculptural projects, not to take this theme literally, but to view Kaniv as a prism – dispersive, reflective or refractive, depending on the artistic perspective.

Eligibility criteria for the open call as part of the Kaniv International Sculpture Symposium: Applicants must be citizens of Ukraine or another country* (Note to international applicants! Your application must include a document confirming your ability to cross the border in light of quarantine restrictions (e.g. a copy of a letter from your country’s embassy specifying the conditions confirming your ability to cross the border). The preferred age for artists is 30 years or older. Have a portfolio of at least 3 works in stone. Submit a project sketch, taking into account the symposium material – granite. The work must be at least 150 cm on one side. Be prepared to devote a month to the work and immerse yourself fully in the process. ‍

Symposium participants will receive: A cash prize of 4,000 USD. The opportunity to create the work during the symposium over the course of a month. Accommodation and meals at the ‘Knyazha Hora’ hotel in Kaniv. Photographic and video documentation of the process. Publication of the symposium’s results in the media and analytical materials. Display of works in a public space alongside internationally and nationally recognised artists at the ‘ChervoneChorne’ association, freely accessible to all.

Applications meeting the specified criteria will be submitted for consideration by an international jury comprising professional curators, architects and sculptors. The results of the selection process will be emailed to all participants and posted on the symposium page on the ‘ChervoneChorne’ association’s website and on our social media pages.

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Organizer of the symposium: the creative association “KrasneChorne”, aims to promote contemporary art in Ukraine, in particular sculpture, explores its interrelationships, stages of development, documents these processes, creates a discussion platform for intercultural dialogue, forms a new image of Ukraine through cooperation with international artists, sculptors institutions and specialized institutions.

Kateryna Pidhayna, Curator of the Symposium