blurred realities exhibition open call

The MSU Museum CoLab Studio invites bold and innovative proposals for our upcoming exhibition, "Blurred Realities." This exhibition and public programming series will delve into contemporary questions that challenge our perception and understanding of what is real and authentic. In an era of new and evolving technology, “Blurred Realities” seeks to explore real and surrogate objects and media, authenticity and deception, and information and disinformation. With the rise of 3D-printed materials, generative AI, deep fakes, synthetic voices, and simulated realities, how do we distinguish between authentic information and deceptive fabrications?

What We Are Looking For

We welcome submissions from artists, designers, scientists, engineers, psychologists, gamers, researchers, performers, storytellers, activists, musicians, students – in short, pretty much anyone with a creative idea that addresses our themes. Your proposal might be for:

• An exhibit (new or existing artwork, research project, virtual reality game, visualizations, etc.)
• A program or event (performance, panel discussion, facilitated workshop, etc.)

We are especially enthusiastic to see proposals that are hands-on and invite interaction and participation from visitors.

We seek proposals that explore the line between imaginative storytelling, authenticity, and manipulative information, grounded in the intersection of art, science, and ethics. The exhibition aims to address the dilemmas tied to dis/misinformation, generative AI text and images, and the shifting notions of perception, interpretation, and truth. We aim to uncover strategies that navigate plausible yet false information and representations, celebrating the power of evidence-based reasoning and democratic decision-making.

Potential Themes and Topics for Submissions

• Differentiation between authentic material and deceptive fabrications in the age of AI deepfakes, generative images, and narratives.
• Ethical implications of using digital replicas and surrogates.
• Intersection and divergence of artistic expressions from factual representation and truth.
• The role of deepfakes and synthetic media in shaping public perception.
• Ensuring decisions are based on genuine information and evidence-based reasoning.
• Challenges generative AI technologies pose to traditional notions of authenticity and originality.
• Strategies to navigate and discern plausible but false data and representations.
• Impact of fake news on democratic processes and evidence-based research.
• Influence of shifting perceptions on our understanding of reality and truth.
• The construction of identities in digital environments and the tension between authenticity and fabrication.
• The role of artistic creation and fiction in exploring complex truths and ethical dilemmas.

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024
• Results Announcement: January 24, 2025
• Exhibit Ready for Installation: September 1, 2025
• Exhibition Opening: January 2026
• Exhibition Closing: July 2026

Curatorial Team

Our curatorial team includes students, MSU Museum staff, and subject-matter experts, ensuring a multidisciplinary and diverse collection of experiences.