SMACH 2025 - Art, Culture and History in the Dolomites

SMACH 2025 - Art, Culture and History in the Dolomites is now open for entries!

SMACH 2025 - Art, Culture and History in the Dolomites : SMACH Biennale is a disseminated art exhibition that this year is seeking project proposals for artistic, sculptural, and installation-based interventions inviting individuals, collectives, informal groups of any provenance, age, background to participate.

➜ Short description

The 7th SMACH Biennale recently announced is seeking project proposals for artistic, sculptural, and installation-based interventions.

SMACH Biennale is a disseminated art exhibition that, every two years since 2012, has made a series of works conceived and installed in relation to some of the most beautiful places in Val Badia and the UNESCO Dolomites freely accessible to the public. For the 7th edition, the organizers have chosen a Ladin term that refers to an object: ‘la cu’. In Italian, ‘la cu’ in Italian is called “cote”, in English “whetstone”, in German “Schleifstein”. Different words refer to the same tool: the stone used to sharpen the scythe to cut the grass in the meadows.

Each participant may submit a maximum of 2 projects. However, in the event of a win, only one can be selected.

Proposals will be evaluated, by the technical and artistic jury, according to the following criteria:

1. Theme and territoriality
To be able to relate, in a free and personal manner, to the theme of the edition and to the aims of SMACH. Being able to establish a conceptual and visual dialogue with the natural and/or cultural- historical environment of the natural sites chosen for the installation.

2. Quality and Originality
Demonstrate artistic quality and originality in conceptual, formal, design research.

3. Feasibility, Sustainability, Sizing, Durability, Safety
Present high levels of technical and material feasibility (also taking into account that each participant will have to transport and set up thework independently). Show criteria of environmental sustainability: e.g. choice of natural materials, provide the possibility of the work being built on site (also with the collaboration of local firms) so as to avoid transport; devise anchoring solutions that guarantee stability without digging foundations, use of concrete bases, etc.
Offer a correct sizing of the work in relation to the location: it is important that the proposal is appropriate to the ‘scale of the landscape’. Ensure durability characteristics in the outdoor environment (taking into account the weather in high mountains and possible ground conditions, etc.) for the duration of the biennial and high safety standards in terms of stability, possible misuse, possible harmful elements (sharp edges, climbing holds, etc.)

4. Economic feasibility
Sustainability within the terms of the remuneration provided. Third-party financing or technical sponsorship in the production and staging of the work are admissible and positively assessed – following a positive opinion by SMACH.

The 10 winning projects will be realised thanks to the prize offered and presented in various Alpine locations in Val Badia, in the uniquesetting of the UNESCO Dolomites, from July to September 2025.

During the installation period of the selected works, authors will be offered half-board accommodation (including breakfast and dinner) for a total of no more than 5 days (4 nights) and for a maximum of 2 people in the case of collectives or informal groups. Attendance at the set-up, assembly and placement of the winning works is compulsory and is to be scheduled between 1 and 8 June 2025, choosing the preferred period within the period indicated.

➜ Who may enter?

Individuals, collectives, informal groups of any provenance, age, background can participate in this competition.

➜ Prize:

The 10 selected artistic interventions will each be awarded a prize of EUR 2,000 per artist/collective (net amount, taxes deducted).

➜ Entry fees:

The application fee is 15 Euro per project proposal.