OPEN CALL : Echoes of Ice

In recognition of the United Nations' declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, we invite artists, musicians, writers, scientists, and all creative voices to contribute to an exhibition exploring our evolving relationship with Iceland's glaciers. This exhibition will be online and in person at Skaftafell National Park, a place deeply shaped by the dynamic forces of ice and time.

Exhibition Theme: What Was, What Is, What Could Be

Iceland’s glaciers have long been more than vast expanses of ice; they are storytellers, memory-keepers, and harbingers of change. This call seeks to showcase works that reflect on our collective connection to Iceland’s glaciers through three lenses:

1. What Was: Memories, histories, and cultural ties to the glaciers. How have they shaped communities, traditions, and landscapes? What stories have been carved into ice and stone?

2. What Is: The current reality of our glaciers in a rapidly changing climate. How do we experience them today? What emotions arise as we witness their retreat? How do science, art, and daily life intersect in the face of this transformation?

3. What Could Be: Imagining future landscapes and relationships. What does a world with diminished or vanished glaciers look like? Can we envision a future of preservation, adaptation, or rebirth?

In person Exhibition Location: Visitor Center, Skaftafell National Park, Iceland

Online Exhibition Link: https://echoesofice.com/

Exhibition Space: Skaftafell National Park receives over ½ a million visitors from around the world annually, drawn to explore its stunning landscapes and outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull. The exhibition will be held in an indoor public area of the Visitor Center, open during the center's operating hours. The space will see a high volume of foot traffic, including visitors of all ages and backgrounds. While we will take measures to securely mount wall pieces and provide cases for three-dimensional works upon selected participant’s request, there will be minimal supervision during opening hours. The National Park is not responsible for any damage to or interference with the works on display.

The exhibition space is equipped with electrical outlets, allowing for electronic works to be connected and digital works to be displayed via a TV monitor. Mounted headphones will be available for sound works or recorded performances. However, due to strong natural light from a south-facing window, pieces requiring a projector will unfortunately not be accepted, as projections would not be clearly visible in this environment.

Live performances outside of the Visitor Center will require a permit from the national park. Please state in your application where in Skaftafell National Park you would be interested in performing and what resources you would need if proposing outside of the Visitor Center. Please include a raincheck date as summer weather is unpredictable for outdoor performances.

Dates and Deadlines:

May 5th - Exhibition Open Call opens

May 30th - Exhibition Open Call closes

June 6th - Accepted participants are notified

June 10th - Accepted participants must confirm participation and ability to send or drop off their work

June 7th – July 3rd – Artwork delivery/drop-off period

July 6th – Exhibition opening

September 30th – Exhibition closing

October 1st – 5th – Artwork pick-up or return shipping

Please email echoesofice2025@gmail.com for any additional questions or concerns 

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This exhibition is made possible with the support of Vatnajökull National Park and funding from Uppbyggingarsjóður Suðurlands.