new/new initiative

SaveArtSpace, in collaboration with the UNM-Taos Art Department, and See You Next Thursday (SYNT) is proud to present the New/New initiative, an open call inviting artists living in New York and New Mexico to explore the theme of "Transcendental Landscapes." This theme seeks to bridge the connection between the vibrant, metropolitan energy of New York and the mystical, expansive beauty of New Mexico, highlighting the transient connections in both lands that unite us all. Curated by Paige Beeber and Sarah Stolar.

The New/New initiative aims to create a dialogue between the bustling streets of New York and the serene landscapes of New Mexico, recognizing that both are sites of powerful, transient connections. Whether through the physical spaces that shape our lives or the metaphysical journeys that shape our souls, these places, both with known vortexes, are a testament to the shared human experience that connects us across time and place.

Artists are invited to interpret the theme of "Transcendental Landscapes" as expansively as possible. The metaphysical aspect may involve explorations of identity, memory, spirituality, or the subconscious, while the physical aspect might include depictions of natural environments, urban spaces, or entirely imagined worlds. This theme is open to any creative expression that engages with the idea of "landscape" or “place” in its broadest sense, encouraging submissions from all mediums and disciplines.

“Transcendental Landscapes” encompass both the metaphysical and physical, inviting interpretations that go beyond traditional representations of landscapes. This open call encourages artists of all disciplines to consider how landscapes—whether they are natural environments, urban scenes, symbolic spaces, or imagined realms—can evoke transcendence, transformation, and connection.

The metaphysical aspect of transcendental landscapes speaks to the spiritual, philosophical, and abstract dimensions. It is about the landscapes within—the emotional topographies, the spiritual journeys, and the mental terrains that shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. These are the landscapes of the mind and soul, where one might encounter the sublime, the infinite, or the transcendent.

Conversely, the physical aspect grounds these explorations in the material world. Here, the landscapes might take on recognizable forms—mountains, forests, oceans, or urban spaces—but they are imbued with a sense of the extraordinary. The physical landscapes serve as portals to the metaphysical, reminding us that the natural world is often the starting point for transcendence.

This open call seeks to uncover the diverse ways in which landscape and place—real or imagined, external, or internal—serve as powerful vessels for transcendence and discovery. This initiative will bridge the connections between the metropolitan energy of New York and the magical allure of New Mexico, celebrating the profound links that bind two vastly different places rooted in rich artistic legacies.