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Associação Cultural Videobrasil and Sesc São Paulo invite artists and/or collectives from the Global South, from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), or who have lived in these regions for at least five years, as well as indigenous artists of any nationalities to participate in the open call for the 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil.

With its dynamic nature, the event comes to its 22nd edition in 2023, entitled “Memory is an Editing Station”—a phrase taken from a poem by Waly Salomão (1943–2003). Curated by Raphael Fonseca, from Brazil, and Renée Akitelek Mboya, from Kenya, the Biennial also celebrates the fortieth anniversary of Videobrasil, initially devoted to video, and which has expanded over the decades to encompass a broad range of artistic languages. In this celebration, “it is, therefore, necessary not only to reflect on time and the many conceptions of memory, but also to revisit the importance of video in these four decades,” write the curators. It is also worth remembering that in contemporaneity the possibilities for image editing were transformed, and have become more agile and within reach of our fingers in a range of technological devices we use every day.

Far beyond these particular “editing stations,” the 22nd Biennial seeks works that address collective memories, acts of remembrance and forgetfulness that build historical and social narratives, related to peoples, nations and geographies. “What are the ethical boundaries of a cut? Who holds the power to do so? How to forge the memory of what we didn’t see or feel in our bodies? What are the limits of memory?,” the curators ask.

Registration, open to works in any language, are free of charge and must be done online only. Each user may register up to three (3) works, which must be sent simultaneously. Registering for Individual Authorship does not exclude the possibility of registering for Collective Authorship—for that, applicants must create a different username. Artists who have participated in one of the last two editions of the Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil (2017 and 2019) cannot take part in this selection process.

All information provided may be saved and edited until the Agreement is accepted and the form is submitted. Once the registration is completed, a registration number will be generated, which must be kept by the artist or representative of the collective. A confirmation email with the registration form will be sent to the registered user.

Read here the curatorial statement of the 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil.

Access the rules of this edition. If you have any questions, please write to 22bienal@videobrasil.org.br.