Open Call
Land Art Proposals
Deadline: August 3rd, 23:59 (EET)

We are inviting 5 national and international artists to propose and realize land art interventions in a location of their choice. This initiative aims to foster dialogue between art and nature by encouraging creative practices that exist outside conventional exhibition spaces.
While rooted in natural materials, land art remains a nonconformist artistic language—often ephemeral, difficult to commercialize, and yet deeply connected to the core source of all technologies: nature. In this spirit, the project invites a return to the essential, to the uncommodified, and to forms of expression beyond market value.
We welcome proposals that reflect critically or poetically on the relationship between humans and land, body and environment, temporality and erosion, memory and material (…you name it).
This call encourages bold, grounded, and intuitive approaches to land-based practices. Whether you carve, dig, plant, trace, or compose with natural elements—we look forward to witnessing your gestures in and with the land.

HOW TO APPLY
via email to: matcaartspacecall@gmail.com / subject: LAND ART
You can propose a work (or more) that will be produced specifically for this call, in a location of your choice. By applying, you confirm that you are available to implement the work and to send back photo and/or video documentation of the final result (required for the group presentation) no later than August 30th.
Submissions should include a PDF portfolio with recent works — or a link to your website/portfolio — as well as the following:
• Proposal of the chosen site or environment
• Documentation of the proposed work: sketches, a text-based argumentation and technical description of the work, or any other materials that help explain and present your proposal.
Please do not use file transfer platforms with download time limits, as we may not be able to access your submission in time.
We will select 5 artists through this call, who will be part of a group exhibition that is part of our ongoing project, Primitive Logistics.
As part of the exhibition, the contributions of the selected artists will be presented in the form of photos or videos documenting the resulting land art works.
The exhibition is planned to open at the beginning of September (exact date TBA).
We will take care of the display setup for the video documentation and the printing of photo materials for the show.
The exhibition will also include a selection of ceramic works realized by 8 local artists who took part in a collaborative activity — building a ceramic kiln from scratch (bricks, assembly, and firing) in a rural setting.
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Each selected artist will receive a fee of 2,000 RON (approximately 400 EUR) – taxes included.
The call is open to artists worldwide, working in any medium.
A minimum of 3 years of professional artistic practice is required to apply.
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CALENDAR:
03.08.2025 @ 23:59 – deadline for proposals
04.08 – 07.08 – selection process
07.08 – selected artists will be contacted and additional details discussed
07.08 – 30.08 – production and submission of photo/video documentation
Exhibition – beginning of September, date TBA



Event part of Primitive Logistics, a project initiated and curated by MATCA artspace*
PRIMITIVE LOGISTICS explores the ways in which primitive practices intersect with contemporary routines and technologies. Investigating the foundational aspects of art and the construction of civilization, the project examines the relationship between nature, society, and technology throughout history. Through a series of events, Primitive Logistics brings into discussion the primordial instincts that continue to shape our present environment.
* MATCA artspace is an independent artist-run space in Cluj-Napoca, repurposed from a former leathercraft workshop. Founded in 2017 by Alexandra Mocan, Alexandru Muraru, and Matei Toșa, the space was initiated to address the need for accessible platforms for local artists. MATCA explores and reflects on the evolution of contemporary art, current trends, recent global events, and the ways artistic discourse develops around them. Through events and exhibitions, the space serves as a medium for discovering local art while facilitating dialogue between emerging and established artists, both local and international. MATCA encourages experimentation with alternative media beyond traditional formats and operates on a non-commercial basis. To date, MATCA has organized over 70 exhibitions and collaborated with approximately 300 artists. Recent projects reflect a focus on cultural and artistic work, as well as an orientation towards research-driven, dialogue-based, and participatory practices. In this context, the space has recently launched residency programs, discussions, and workshops.
Partners: Slow Architecture Lab, Empower Artists, ArteVezi, ArtCrawl
Cultural project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN).
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or the way its results may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding beneficiary.
Event organized with the support of the City Hall and Local Council of Cluj-Napoca
Image: deviation from Nancy Holt, Up and Under, 1987-1998 / Holt/Smithson Foundation