Medea Creations Launches Call for Interactive Art Installations Exposing the Mechanics of Misinformation
London-based live arts organization, Medea Creations, is issuing a call for artists to create interactive installations that delve into the pervasive issue of misinformation. The commissioned works will form the core of the "Realities Festival," a dynamic exhibition designed to empower audiences against the deceptive tactics employed in today’s information landscape. The festival, scheduled for April 19th-26th in London Zone 1, aims to be a playful yet thought-provoking exploration of the methods and impact of misinformation, from deepfakes to emotional manipulation.
Medea Creations seeks innovative artists, collectives, or organizations to submit proposals for interactive projects that explore the multifaceted nature of misinformation. The selected works will not only premiere at the Realities Festival but also have the potential for future展示 at Medea’s flagship immersive experience, Storehouse, slated for 2025. The organization encourages a diverse range of formats, including immersive installations, browser games, digital toolkits, and deepfake art, with a particular emphasis on interactive pieces that offer personalized outputs and shareable takeaways for audience engagement.
The call for proposals outlines specific themes artists should address, encompassing various misinformation tactics such as cult of personality, gaslighting, scapegoating, emotional manipulation, in-group bias, astroturfing, information overload, and the attention economy. Proposals should align with Medea’s core values, focusing on revealing the inner workings of misinformation to equip audiences with the tools for critical thinking and discerning information consumption. The desired tone is described as "fun Black Mirror," blending playfulness with the serious subject matter to empower audiences rather than instill despair.
The chosen artists will receive a commission of up to £10,000 per project. The application deadline is February 2nd, 2025, with artwork completion expected by April 3rd. Submissions should include a project proposal, a cover email or video explaining the project’s engagement with misinformation themes, a biography/CV, and a budget breakdown. The submission process also emphasizes the importance of demonstrating how the proposed artwork aligns with Medea’s values of empowering individuals through information and critical thinking. Medea encourages applicants to showcase their expertise in realizing their proposed concepts, particularly if the project is still in its developmental stages.
Medea Creations, in its mission to combat the spread of misinformation, aims to provide a platform for artists to engage audiences in critical discourse. The Realities Festival is not just an exhibition but a call to action, encouraging individuals to become more informed and resilient consumers of information. This approach reflects Medea’s broader commitment to fostering critical thinking and informed decision-making through impactful storytelling and engaging artistic experiences. The organization emphasizes the potential for art and technology to transform how we interact with the information-saturated world around us.
The selection process will involve interviews with shortlisted applicants, with final decisions announced by February 14th, 2025. Medea Creations will retain ownership of the physical installations, enabling their use in future events. Intellectual property rights will generally remain with the artist, although Medea requires shared IP rights or a license for commissioned works they own. The organization also assumes responsibility for storing the installations after the exhibition. Artists are encouraged to contact Medea with any questions regarding the application process or specific details regarding intellectual property and ownership.
The Realities Festival promises to be a unique event that brings together art, technology, and critical thinking to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. By providing a platform for artists to explore the complexities of misinformation, Medea Creations is fostering a vital dialogue and equipping individuals with the tools they need to navigate the ever-evolving information landscape. The organization’s commitment to playfulness and engagement underscores their belief in the power of art to inspire action and empower individuals to become discerning consumers of information.
This initiative by Medea Creations represents a significant step in the ongoing struggle against misinformation. By using interactive art as a medium for exploring these complex issues, the Realities Festival seeks to empower audiences and foster a culture of critical engagement with information. The festival’s focus on playfulness and audience participation underscores the organization’s belief that learning and critical thinking can be both enjoyable and transformative. This approach ensures that the message reaches a wider audience, potentially sparking a broader movement towards more informed and responsible information consumption. The potential for long-term impact lies in the engagement with artists who can creatively translate complex ideas into accessible and interactive experiences.