Organizer Information
The OSTRALE Biennale is one of Germany’s most significant large-scale independent exhibitions for contemporary visual arts. Operating dynamically across unique architectural venues and public spaces in Dresden, the platform brings together international perspectives to address urgent socio-political and anthropological frameworks.
Title & Description
OSTRALE Biennale 2027 (O27). This 16th edition centers around the working title "Article 5: Freedom of opinion, art, and science." The curatorial framework pivots to the core of humanity—exploring what it means to be human in a shifting world where the stable promise of peace in Europe has fractured. The exhibition challenges artists to navigate the human condition (conditio humana) as it oscillates between power, violence, tolerance, and empathy, using art to sharpen perception, activate collective memory, and promote a pluralistic society.
Categories
All forms of contemporary visual art are eligible, including Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Installation, Performance, Digital Art, Video Art, and Sound Installations.
Eligibility
- Global Scope: Open to artists worldwide regardless of age, nationality, origin, or career status.
- Submission Limit: Maximum of 5 works (individual pieces or clearly identified series).
- Artwork Status: Accepts both existing works and works currently in development.
- Availability: Selected works must be fully available for the exhibition and transport cycle from April 1, 2027, to November 30, 2027.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Exhibition Fee: A one-time net fee of €300 paid to all participating individual artists or groups.
- Logistics & Transport: Full costs for artwork transport, exhibition organization, and administrative handling are covered and arranged by OSTRALE.
- Insurance: Full exhibition and transport insurance is provided (Note: Outdoor installations and public art interventions are displayed at the artist's own risk as certain public areas lack coverage).
- Publication: Free inclusion and feature documentation in the official printed exhibition catalog and online database.
- Travel Assistance: Travel and accommodation expenses may be provided on an individual basis for complex, site-specific setups.
Fees
- Standard Application Fee: €20.
- Reduced Student Fee: €10 (Requires proof of institutional enrollment).
Application Requirements (Database Upload Only)
- Images: Common digital formats (.jpg, .png), up to 3 images per artwork. For a series, an overall view must be included.
- Video/Time-Based Media: Direct video file uploads are not allowed. Applicants must provide a persistent link (Vimeo, YouTube, or personal site) with any required passwords. Submissions must be full reference videos (no trailers, short clips, or past exhibition footage).
- Textual Elements: An accompanying, stylistically sound text briefly explaining the work's engagement with the "Article 5" theme.
- Technical Guidelines: Detailed step-by-step unpacking, assembly, and repacking instructions are mandatory for non-standard hanging works.
How to Apply?
Create an account and submit all artist details and artwork parameters through the digital OSTRALE database. Apply to the OSTRALE Biennale 2027.
Key Dates
- Application Period: April 15 – May 31, 2026 (23:59 CET).
- First Jury Review: July 28–31, 2026.
- Second Jury Review: End of September 2026 (Final notifications sent via email following this meeting).
- Exhibition Run: June 4 – October 3, 2027.
Location
Germany, Dresden (Various indoor venues and urban public spaces).
Additional Details
The jury is composed of the O27 curatorial team—Andrea Hilger (Artistic Director), Dr. Veronika Krülle Kotoučová, and Dr. Martin Müller—alongside independent experts Juliane Vowinckel and Detlef Schweiger. Due to strict logistics, artists are required to pack their works in secure, reusable, and environmentally sustainable packaging.