11 Dec 2013

Call for nominations: Mario Merz Prize | Deadline: January 31, 2014

With the firm belief that art can represent freedom of thought without boundaries and promotes self-determination and the free circulation of culture and ideas, the prize is dedicated to those who harbor the right will to pursue their research beyond the hardship determined by political, social or geographical conditions. 



Given that the recent art processes focused greatly on historical, social, and political changes, while also considering the tragedies yet afflicting mankind, the prize intends to base the selection criteria for its short list on the qualities of internationality, generosity of thought, social awareness, as well as innovative research traceable in the works and individual paths of the artists and composers selected.  



To underline this idea of openness, the finalists of the Mario Merz Prize will present their works in a group exhibition and a concert to involve spectators in the final voting phase. Among these finalists, the jury will select the two winners, who will be commissioned new scores and projects.



The Art Prize is addressed to artists who have been already recognized for the quality of their work in their home country and are launching their career on an international level. A short list of five nominees will be selected through a nomination process. The winner will be selected by an international jury composed of Manuel Borja-Villel (Director Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid), Lawrence Weiner (artist), Massimiliano Gioni (Chief Curator New Museum, New York; Art Director Fondazione Trussardi, Milan; Director of the 55th Venice Biennale) and Beatrice Merz.



Artists participating in the selection are to be nominated by curators, museum directors, art critics, gallerists or members of other cultural associations. Artists cannot nominate themselves. Each artist can receive multiple nominations. There are no restrictions with regard to age, nationality or artistic medium.



The Music Prize, which avails itself of the collaboration with the Associazione per la Musica De Sono in Turin and the Hochschule der Künste in Zurich, is dedicated to contemporary music. A short list of five nominees will be selected through a nomination process. The winner will be selected by an international jury composed of Thomas Demenga (cellist and composer), Dieter Ammann (composer), Alexander Lonquich (pianist) and Willy Merz.



Composers participating in the selection are to be nominated by music institutions, interpreters, music critics and experts. Composers cannot nominate themselves. Each composer can receive multiple nominations. There are no restrictions with regard to age, nationality or artistic medium.



Applications must be submitted online no later than January 31, 2014, completing the registration form on the prize website: www.mariomerzprize.org 




For further information please contact:
 Fondazione Merz, T +39 01119719437 prize@fondazionemerz.org