Berlin Global Village has launched the art competition for the Decolonial Memorial. This is an open, anonymous and worldwide art contest for the realization of a decolonial memorial sign – an artistic work dealing with decolonization. The artwork will be permanently and visibly placed in the outdoor area of Berlin Global Village. The contest and the creation of the artwork will be accompanied by an extensive educational program as well as innovative public relations work on the topic of decolonization.

On 30.03.2023 the competition phase starts, in which artists and artist groups from all over the world can easily register for the contest until 07.05.2023. The Land of Berlin (SenKultEU) will then provide 750,000 euros for the realization of the artwork. The competition, educational program and public relations work will be financed by the federal government (BKM) with a further 750,000 euros. The project is supported by the Berlin Global Village gGmbH in cooperation with the office for art in public space of the Kulturwerk GmbH of the bbk berlin e.V. and circle of supporters from decolonial civil society.

What is it about?
The call is for the realization of a decolonial memorial sign in the outdoor space of Berlin Global Village as part of an open, anonymous, worldwide, two-phase art contest. All contemporary art forms are possible. A high-caliber international jury will decide in the two-phase process which design will be realized. The 20 artists* selected in the first phase of the competition will already receive 4,000 euros each for their participation in the second phase. For the realization of the artwork 750,000 euros are available from the state of Berlin (SenKultEU). The accompanying program is financed by the federal government (BKM) with another 750,000 euros.

Who can participate?
All freelance professional artists and artist groups worldwide are invited to participate. Artists from formerly colonized countries are also invited to participate – a first in Germany. The competition documents are also available in English, French, Spanish and Swahili.

When is the registration deadline?
The registration phase for the competition starts on 30.03.2023. It will run until Sunday, 07 May 2023, 23:59 CET. Only those who have registered during this time can take part in the contest.

How do I participate?
To register, all you need to do is upload your artistic CV and contact details of the artists in PDF format. The application has to be submitted on the website.

How does the art contest work?
A top-class international jury will decide in a two-phase procedure which design will be realized.

In the 1st phase, registered participants are invited to submit an artistic idea in the form of a sketch combined with conceptual considerations. No elaborated design or technical details are expected yet.

The jury will select up to 20 participants for the 2nd phase, in which a detailed elaboration of the design for realization is expected beyond the basic solution approaches. In the 2nd competition phase, the participants will receive an expense allowance of € 4,000.00 including all incidental costs.

From the project presentations of the 2nd phase, the jury will select one entry whose artwork will subsequently be financed. A total of 750,000 euros is available from the state of Berlin (SenKultEU) for the realization of the artwork. The competition, educational program and public relations work are financed with a further 750,000 euros from the federal government (BKM).

About the Background

German colonialism and its consequences have long been marginalized in Germany. However, ongoing interventions from civil society have set a process in motion. To address colonialism, its effects until today and the continuities also in development cooperation, the international art competition is announced. Within the framework of the project, a dialogue is initiated to deal with the decolonial perspective. The artwork will then be permanently installed between or in front of the two buildings of the Berlin Global Village. With the Denkzeichen, the Berlin Global Village will be marked and made strong as a place of reflection on decolonial issues for both Berliners and international actors.

What’s the schedule?

7 May 2023: Registration deadline
15 May 2023: Contest documents made available to applicants
14 Jun 2023: Deadline for written queries (first phase)
23 Jun 2023: Response to queries (first phase)
13 Aug 2023: Digital submission of designs (first phase)
16/17 Sep 23: Jury meeting (first phase)
18 Sep 2023: Notification of participants in the second phase
30 Oct 2023: Enquiry colloqium (second phase)
31 Octr 2023: Symposium
12 Nov 2023: Deadline for written queries (second phase)
24 Nov 23: Response to queries (second phase)
07 Jan 2024: Deadline for submission of designs (second phase)
27 Jan 2024: Prize jury meeting (second phase)
28 Feb 2024: Exhibition of submitted designs from the second phase

berlin-global-village.de