beyond the image art prize 2026
The Via Gluck 62 Association presents the first edition of the “BEYOND THE IMAGE ART PRIZE”, an International Open Call dedicated to contemporary photography, video art, experimental film, moving images, and hybrid and installation-based practices that employ photographic and audiovisual languages.
The initiative is supported by the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan and is organized in collaboration with the University of Lausanne, StayOnBoard Art Gallery, Archivio Gabriele Basilico, and All Art Contemporary. It is promoted by the Via Gluck 62 AIR Association as part of the Milano Centrale Festival 2026. The Prize, entitled “Who Are You Beyond the Image? Art, Neuroscience and Algorithmic Narration of Experience”, was established with the aim of supporting and promoting contemporary artistic research by bringing it into dialogue with the academic, scientific, and cultural worlds.
Through the institutional and curatorial support of the partners involved, the Prize offers emerging and established artists a concrete exhibition opportunity, promoting projects that investigate the theme of identity in the age of digital images.
THEME 2026: WHO ARE YOU BEYOND THE IMAGE?
The initiative is part of the research and public engagement activities connected to the SatisFace project, dedicated to the study of the face, self-image perception, and the neuroscientific, psychological, and cultural implications of the representation of identity. The Prize aims to support works and projects that offer an original reflection on the relationship between identity, image, body perception, digital technologies, and the algorithmic narration of experience.
In this first edition, the Prize is conceived as a space for interdisciplinary research dedicated to exploring the many ways in which identity is currently perceived, represented, modified, and constructed. Particular attention will be given to proposals capable of making accessible to a broad audience highly relevant scientific and cultural themes, including self-perception, facial aesthetics, the role of digital images, self-representation, visual memory, and the impact of technology on the construction of personal and collective identity. Proposals that explore the theme through photographic, audiovisual, and experimental languages, from documentary, conceptual, poetic, critical, or installation-based perspectives, are welcome.
ELIGIBILITY
Participation is open to artists of all nationalities. There are no age, educational, or professional experience requirements. Individual artists and collectives are eligible to apply.
ELIGIBLE MEDIA
Works and projects realized through the following media are eligible: • analogue and digital photography; • experimental photography; • video art; • short films; • experimental films; • audiovisual works; • video installations; • GIFs, animations, and digitally generated images; • multimedia projects integrating photography and moving images.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply for the Prize, applicants must complete the application form and upload the required documentation through the following link: www.viagluck62air.com
APPLICATION FEE
The application fee is €19.00.
The fee must be paid at the time of submitting the application.
Payment method: Bank transfer
Reference: Name_Surname – Premio 2026
Account holder: VIA GLUCK 62 International Artist Residency Banco BPM, Via Amadeo ang. Via Illirico 11, 20133 Milan – Italy
IBAN: IT53R0503401659000000006882
SWIFT: BAPPIT21348
The application fee contributes to the organizational and administrative costs of the Prize.
DEADLINES
• Open Call opens: 30 June 2026
• Application deadline: 10 September 2026, 11:59 PM (CET)
• Winner announcement: 15 September 2026 The exhibition opening will take place during the Milano Centrale Festival, from 2 to 4 October 2026 (submission of an application implies the artist’s acceptance of delivering the works to the address communicated by the organization no later than 28 September 2026).
The exhibition will run from 2 October to 30 October 2026.
EVALUATION AND JURY
Applications will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary committee composed of professors, academics, researchers, curators, artists, and cultural professionals.
Academic Board • Prof. Clelia Di Serio • Prof. Francesco Valagussa • Prof. Antonio Nizzoli • Prof. Chiara Ferrero • Prof. Peter Schulz • Prof. Paolo Ferrari • Prof. Fulvia Mecatti • Prof. Pierluigi Conti • Prof. Paola Vicard
Curatorial Board • Nicola Bigliardi • Giovanna Calvenzi • Luca Panaro
Artists Board • Guido Nosari De Danieli • Günter Pusch
Galleries and Archives Board • StayOnBoard Art Gallery • Archivio Gabriele Basilico
Journalism Board • Teresa Scarale