Visions, Chapter II
I popoli del mare
Welcome to the Prize Submission page for Visions 2026.
Last year's Visions: Foresta di Cristallo was a curated exhibition; this year's edition evolves into a prize. It is our belief that the broader Art World is not focusing enough on how emerging technologies are reshaping our concepts of Europe in particular and nationhood as a whole. We aim to bridge this gap and invite your artistic contribution to the dialogue.
We remind you that visions will take place alongside ctrl/shift, and that the dates are 2026, June 13th-15th, in Naples, Italy.
What is Visions?
Visions is a cultural project and exhibition format part of ctrl/shift, a technological conference, promoting dialogue and exchange between the world of deep tech and contemporary art. Conceived by a group of young creatives with transversal skills in art and technology one year ago in the context of the conference Napuleth Open Village 2025, Visions aims to explore the intersections between the digital economy, new technologies, innovation, and artistic practices. The initiative aims to function as a stable and growing platform, with the goal of developing tailored technological solutions to redefine artistic production and enjoyment in the information and digital age, while at the same time giving deep tech builders cultural food for thought.
What is this prize about?
We are focused on fostering artistic production on themes we feel close to, such as how new technologies are revolutionizing our existence and how the world as we know needs to adapt in order to survive.
This is particularly evident in Europe, where at the moment we lack a true artistic perspective on what being European even means.
So, we decided to provide an opportunity to emerging artists interested in this topics. The extended synopsis is in the previous page. If you need more information, feel free to write to us at visions@ctrlshift.events.
Who are the prize judges?
- Fabio Agovino (Collector)
- Marco Bassan (Founder Spazio Taverna)
- Gianluca Di Bella (ctrl/shift Conference Founder)
- Fabrizio Romano Genovese (ctrl/shift Conference Founder)
- Daniela Zangrando (Independent Curator and Director of Museo Burel)
Who can apply?
Applicants must be:
- Artists or art collectives;
- Of any nationality;
- Of any age between 18 and 40 (in the case of collectives, this applies to each member);
- With at least 2 personal and/or collective exhibitions in the last 5 years, realized either in a public or private institution, a gallery, a museum, foundation or cultural centre (for collectives, this requirement applies to the collective as a whole and not to single members);
- In the case of art collectives, all members of the same collective will be considered as a unique entity, and so will share the prize.
Who cannot apply?
- Anyone who participated or contributed to the making of this prize;
- Anyone that doesn't meet the requisites highlighted in the previous point.
What kind of works are in scope?
This is a call for ideas, and it is mainly catered towards works that have yet to be produced. All artworks or projects must:
- Be new/unreleased projects or works (not previously exhibited);
- Be in line with the synopsis in the previous page;
Any visual arts language is permitted, without constraints on techniques.
What do I win?
5,000€, paid via bank transfer or stablecoin transfer (USDC). If you win, we will ask you about your payment details. The prize is inclusive of all costs related to the work, plus VAT if applicable.
What are the relevant dates?
- March 23rd 2026, 12:00 → Call opens
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April 30thMay 7th 2026, 12:00 → Call closes - May 2026 → Selections
- June 1st 2026 → Announcement of the winning artist or collective
- June 13th 2026 → Presentation of the winning work of Visions, within the framework of ctrl/shift
All times are CET (Central European Time).
What are my responsibilities?
If you win, you will have to:
- Produce the artwork;
- Take care of transportation;
- Be present during ctrl/shift 2026, from June 13th until June 15th.
Please note that all these costs are considered as already covered by the prize money.
Will my work be acquired?
Yes. By accepting this regulation, the ownership of the work is transferred to ctrl/shift.
Am I required to attend the ctrl/shift conference?
Yes. The whole idea of Visions is to foster ties between deep tech and art. The winning Artist or collective is required to be present. Note that attendance is one of the obligations covered by the prize money.
What kind of material do I need to provide for the submission?
Submission material includes personal information (a name, email, etc.), an up-to-date CV, and a project description. CV and Project Description must both be in PDF format, 1MB max each.
The project description must include: a concept statement, a technical description (materials, dimensions, production methods, and any installation requirements), and at least two images of the project (sketches, renderings, or preliminary works).
If you are a collective, just fill the personal info section of the form with the information of one member; this will be the collective representative and the person we will correspond/reply to. Please attach the CVs of all the members of the collective as a unique PDF document, along with identity documents of every single member, complete with original signature.
Is participation free?
Yes. Participation in the Visions prize is completely free of charge.
Can I ask questions about the call?
Yes. Questions must be sent to visions@ctrlshift.events by April 21, 2026. Questions may be submitted in Italian or English.
How will my project be evaluated?
Projects will be evaluated by the jury based on three criteria: quality of the work, originality, and adherence to the theme of the prize.
So, in practice, how do I apply?
You apply by clicking the button below and completing the form.
- Check if you meet the application requisites or if you don't;
- Check if your work is in scope;
- Only applications landing between the opening and the closing of the call will be considered, check the relevant dates;
Please note that you can apply with only one project or artwork.
I understand that by submitting an application I accept all the conditions stated above, and that failing to meet one or more of these conditions can result in my prize being voided.