Imagem: Fotografia de Nuno Félix da Costa
Hypertextile 2027, the first edition of the Contemporary Art Biennial of the Alentejo, integrated into the official program of Évora_27 – European Capital of Culture, launches an international open call for artists and collectives developing performative projects.
In a territory where carpets have been hand-embroidered since the Middle Ages, the festival proposes textiles as an expanded tool to (re)read the place.
This edition invites artists to reflect on the Alentejo through the concept of topophilia, the affective bond between people and places, as defined by geographer Yi-Fu Tuan in 1974.
We are looking for performances that explore emotional, symbolic, political, or sensory relationships with the territory, proposing new ways of inhabiting, imagining, and interpreting it. Each performance may be presented up to two times during the biennial period, on dates to be defined by the organization in coordination with the artists and in accordance with the overall festival program.
OBJECTIVE
The selected proposals will be part of the official program of the biennial, taking place in Arraiolos between May and July 2027. We are seeking performative projects that are already completed and have been previously tested in a public presentation context at least once, demonstrating conceptual maturity, artistic consistency, and technical feasibility. Proposals that show the ability to adapt to the specific context of Arraiolos and to the curatorial framework of Hypertextile 2027 will be valued.
PRESENTATION OF THE WORKS
The selected proposals will be presented to the public as part of the Hypertextile 2027 program, taking place in Arraiolos between May and July 2027. Each performance may be presented up to two times during the biennial period, on dates to be defined by the organization in coordination with the artists and in accordance with the overall festival program.
CONDITIONS
The organization provides accommodation during the public presentation period, workspace and access to available equipment, as well as round-trip transport (national or international). An artist fee and a production grant are foreseen. The selected projects will also be included in the website, catalogue, documentary, and other communication materials of Hypertextile.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Artists and collectives from any disciplinary field, aged 18 or over, may apply. Artist duos are eligible, with support and benefits granted per proposal rather than per individual participant.
HOW TO APPLY?
Applicants must submit the application form available at Córtex Frontal.
Proposals may be submitted as a document (text and/or images) and/or video, clearly presenting the concept and structure of the performance. They must also include a simplified technical rider outlining the essential technical and logistical requirements for presentation.
Application deadline: July 3, 2026.