Open Call for Students
LdM Gallery, a gallery for contemporary art in Florence, run by LdM Institute Florence, together with LdM Photography Department calls for students in the field of photography, installation, and mixed media to produce a collective exhibition with a purpose of promoting individual creativity, discovery and integration with a new environment, creative exchange and collective creativity practices. The project is designed to provide students with a creative and professional experience, engaging them in every phase of the creation and exhibition of their work while building their own artistic network.
The project is curated by the LdM Gallery supervisor Spela Zidar, with the support of LdM Photography Department supervised by Gianluca Maver, and LdM Gallery Intern Marc Maraldi.
Project Description / Concept
A new beginning is always a moment of infinite possibilities, but also of infinite uncertainties. For an international student, it means navigating new subjects, new colleagues, new professors, a new environment, a new culture, and a new city.
These emotions inevitably influence the way we perceive our surroundings and the city we find ourselves living in. The city reflects the emotions of those experiencing it. At first, it may seem unfamiliar, distant, inhospitable, or closed. But as we gradually immerse ourselves in the experience, the city begins to change: it opens up, becomes part of our story, and creates and holds shared memories.
The city has been used throughout history by established international photographers, beginning with the master Henri Cartier-Bresson -the father of the “decisive moment,” who wandered around the world’s metropolises, capturing the spontaneous geometry and unrepeatable moments of urban life. Talking about the cities and photography we cannot forget Brassaï (Gyula Halász), nicknamed “the eye of Paris,” the Hungarian photographer immortalized the French capital between the 1920s and 1930s, exploring its nightlife, alleyways, and working-class neighborhoods with a unique and mysterious charm. But we also want to mention two Italian photographers: Gianni Berengo Gardin: Inextricably linked to cities like Milan and Venice, he chronicled Italy and its postwar society with a neorealist and profoundly human approach, capturing daily life on the streets, and Gabriele Basilico, one of the greatest Italian masters of architectural and urban landscape photography. He documented the transformations of cities and landscapes around the world favoring a rigorous black and white and the absence of human figures to highlight the structures of buildings as historical documents.
For the exhibition REFLECTING CITIES we are looking for works that explore the relationship between individuals and the city, the transformation of this relationship over time, or details of the urban environment that may reflect personal emotions and experiences.
This project aims to shed light on this particular period of adaptation, using creativity as a means of transforming uncertainty and unfamiliarity into an opportunity for personal and communal growth.
Who can participate
Any LdM student that is a part of the LdM Photography Department in the Fall 2026 Semester.
Information about the project
Exhibition Title: REFLECTING CITIES
Location: LDM Gallery, Via Dei Pucci 4 – Florence
Date: December 2026 10-18th
Opening: December 10th 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: November 9th
Phases of the project:
Phase One: Selection of the proposals (November 11th)
Phase Two: Meeting of the selected participants in LdM Gallery and discussion about the project (mid November)
Phase Three: Exhibition set up Dec 5-9th
Exhibition: 10 -18th December 2026
Benefits for Participants
Creative Exchange: Collaborate and exchange ideas with fellow artists through discussions during this collaborative project. This interaction will not only inspire new perspectives and techniques but also build a supportive artistic community.
Networking: Connect with local artists, curators, and art enthusiasts through exhibition events, and opening receptions. These opportunities will help artists expand their professional network, gain insights into the local art scene, and foster potential future collaborations.
Professional Exposure: Opportunity to exhibit in a professional environment, allowing artists to showcase their work to a broader audience. This exposure can lead to increased recognition, potential sales, and opportunities for further exhibitions.
Educational Experience: Learn about the exhibition process and setup through hands-on experience in preparing and installing the exhibition. Artists will gain valuable skills in curating, managing, and presenting their work, enhancing their professional development.
- These benefits collectively aim to provide a comprehensive growth experience for participating artists, promoting both their artistic practice and professional careers.
Submission Requirements
- Portfolio: Include up to 5 images of proposed work or your previous work.
- Proposal: A brief description (300 words max) of how your work aligns with the exhibition theme.
- CV: An updated artist resume.
- Artist statement (300 words max)
- Your contacts (email and/or WhatsApp)
How to Apply
Submit your application with all the required documentation to [email protected] by November 9th.
Contact: For any questions, please contact:
+39 3471840689 (WhatsApp)
We look forward to your innovative contributions to this project.
About LdM Gallery
The LdM Gallery is a project by Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, an interdisciplinary space where academic research and artistic experimentation meet within a professional setting.