Human Habitation::Inernational Conference on Architecture, Settlement & Urban Identity in the Persian Gulf Region

Young Artists Competition on Architecture, Settlement and Urban Identity in the Persian Gulf Region

A glimpse at the history of civilization in the Persian Gulf region and the thousands year old human settlements around it, has turned this unique area into one of the world’s most strategic places.

The remains of art, architecture, technology and navigation activities in the region are all evidence of the vast knowledge and wisdom of the Persians; the people who created these settlements. Relics found in the area are also proof of the ancient civilizations built by the Persians in the region and in the Iranian plateau as a whole.

On the occasion of World Habitat Day and as a side event of the International Conference on Architecture, Settlement and Urban Identity in the Persian Gulf Region,UN-Habitat in Iran will be holding “the Young Artists Competition on Architecture, Settlement and Urban Identity in the Persian Gulf Region”. The exhibition is planning to display the artistic ability of the young artists in the fields of painting & photography.

“Identity and City”, “Architecture and Settlement”, “Climate” and “Human Kind” will be the main focus of this exhibition.

Key Subjects:
Art in Settlements - Forgotten Settlements - Social Settlements - Ecology of Settlements (materials, forms and functions) - Identity in Human Settlements - Habitats and Human Rights - Habitats and the Ecosystem - Water and Settlements - Slums and Settlements - City, Home, Human and life - Navigation, livlihood and settlement.

Objectives:

A special and artistic approach to settlements and to introduce the artistic, cultural and architectural identities of the Persian Gulf region.
Research on the “Persian” identity of the region and its presence in the artistic and cultural values of the inhabitants of the settlements, through the eyes of young artists.
Encouraging young artists to cooperate and attend in artistic, cultural and architectural activities at international levels, in line with the United Nations Habitat programs.
Familiarizing the visitors of the exhibition with the cultural, artistic and architectural identities formed in the region since ancient times until today.
Providing suitable grounds for the expression, manifestation and promotion of the creativity and talent of the young artists.
Paving the way for the presence of young artists at international exhibitions with the aim of expressing their views and recognizing their talent. The event also aims at creating a cultural and artistic bridge to fill the gap between the young artists and leading international organizations, universities and academic centers.

The competition will be held in two sections:
A- Painting (Regarding contemporary approach, using Various mediums)
B- Photography (Proximate photography, Directive photography, Media combination ,Designed Photography, photo based installation)

Chairman:
Ali Pooladi

General Secretary:
Somayeh Rokhgireh

Coordinator of the Jury Panel and curator:
Javid Ramezani

The members of the jury:
Photography: Hamid Severi, Shahriar Tavakoli, Javid Ramezani and Babak Zirak
Painting: Babak Etminani, Dr. Bagher Ziaee, Nosratolah Moslemian and Majid Karimi

Competition Guidelines:

Artists in the field of painting and photography (aged between 18 and 39 years) are welcome to take part in the event.
Painters and photographers are free to use all techniques in the corresponding fields.
Contestants are held accountable for the authenticity and ownership of the work they present to the competition.
The organizer of the event holds the right to print the entries in its books, brochures and publications in the form of postcards, posters and CDs provided that the name of the creator of the work is mentioned. The proceeds will be offered to UN-Habitat.
The organizer excludes liability for the losses and damages resulting from improper delivery to the secretary office by the postal service or courier.
The works selected for display at the exhibition will become the property of the event organizer.

How to submit works:

Copies of the entries should be sent via e-mail in JPG format to artcompetition@humanhabitation.org
Images should have a minimum width and height of 864 pixels, at least a 120DPI resolution, and be under 2MB.
Contestants are required to fill the registration form and send it along with the JPG file of the entries.
Contestants are allowed to take part in just one section of the competition.
Contestants will be allowed to send only a maximum of three entries for each section.
After approval the participant should send their original works to Arte Sara , the secretariat of the Young Artists Competition, in Iran through artcompetition@humanhabitation.org. Shipping and handling is the responsibility of the participant. However, the secretariat will undertake to pay the expenses of transfering the works from Tehran to London, where the exhibition is scheduled to be held.

General Procedures for Judging:

Creativity, aesthetics, technique and artistic aspects of the entries as well as their relevance to the subject of the competition will be the focus of jury's attention.
The process of judging has two stages.
A copy of each entry will be reviewed by a judging panel and for each section of the competition 30 top entries will be selected for display at the Westminster Exhibition in London. The semifinalists will then be invited to send original copies of their work for the second stage of the contest.
In the second stage of assessment, a panel of judges will choose six winners (three from each section) and 14 commendable works (seven from each section) from the 60 works (30 from each sections).

Prizes:
The First Prize winner in each section of the competition will receive a cash award of 3,000 USD, a plaque of recognition and an emblem from UN-Habitat presented by UN-Habitat, as well as a statuette. The selected entry will be printed in the exhibition book and also presented in the form of postcards and CDs.

The Second Prize winner in each section will receive a cash award of 1,500 USD, a plaque of recognition and an emblem from UN-Habitat presented by UN-Habitat, as well as a statuette. The selected entry will be printed in the exhibition book and presented in the form of postcards and CDs.

The Third Prize winner in each section will receive a cash award of 1,000 USD, a plaque of recognition and an emblem from UN-Habitat presented by UN-Habitat, as well as a statuette. The selected entry will be printed in the exhibition book and presented in the form of postcards and CDs.

4th to 10th place winners, commendable entries in each section of the competition, will receive a plaque of recognition presented by UN-Habitat, an emblem of UN-Habitat, and their work printed in the exhibition book and presented in the form of postcards and CDs.

11th to 30th place winners in each section of the competition will receive a certificate signed by the UN-Habitat’s regional director, and their work will also be printed in the exhibition book and presented in the form of postcards and CDs.

Time Table:
The entries in JPG format and registration form should be forwarded to artcompetition@humanhabitation.org before the end of office hours on 22 Aug 2009.

The entries will be judged on 21-22 Aug 2009, however, final results of the entries selection will be announced on 23 Aug 2009.

Original copies of the selected entries should be sent beginning 23 Aug 2009 until before the end of the office hours on 3 Sep 2009.

Selected entries will be showcased on 5-11 Aug 2009.

Final results are scheduled to be announced on 6 Oct 2009.

Organizers:
University of Westminster, London
International Art & Architecture Research Association (IAARA)
Arte Sara (Art & Architecture Group)