Open Air Media Festival invites Iowa-based artists to submit short video works, time-based projects, performances, situations, readings, sound walks, virtual works, and more. Projects are encouraged to engage/respond to the themes of “Drifting" and "Driftless” and the many ways these concepts address time and place. In his essay, “Theory of the Dérive,” French theorist, philosopher and filmmaker Guy Debord discusses urban landscapes as “psychogeographical” spaces or “centers of possibilities and meanings.” Drifting also references a technical glitch in video production when recordings begin in sync and slowly drift apart. Works could engage or make reference to the geological Driftless region of NE Iowa. Or made in response to the passage of time over the first year of living under the threat of a fast-moving virus, of time feeling surreal, suspended and driftless as if in some kind of vortex.
All artworks in this program will be presented in outdoor, publicly accessible locations in Iowa City over the course of two evenings, June 25 & 26, 2021. These locations include the two PS1 houses on Gilbert Street and the facade of Media Arts-Co-op and its surrounding parking lot on Lafayette St.
The mobile projection program will screen a selection of short video works in multiple neighborhoods throughout Iowa City. This year’s program will also include a radio broadcast on KRUI, enabling the public to engage with artworks sonically from vehicles or streamed online.
Submission Guidelines:
Artists must be Iowa-Based, age 18 and over
We are accepting a range of projects to include:
- a single channel video work to be screened during the mobile projection program
- time-based media installation, performance, reading or "situation"
- radio projects
- virtual works
Collaborative projects/teams welcome!
Please note: due to the nature of this event being outdoors in public spaces, we will not be able to accept all proposals we receive.
Deadline to submit: May 7th. Notification of accepted proposals: Friday May 14th
Learn more about the 2020 Open Air Media Festival here.
