Introducing the Lumen Prize Exhibition
“No artist can afford to ignore…the way the world has been transformed by new digital technology.” Charles Saumarez Smith, Vanity Fair on Art
What’s the big idea?
The Lumen Prize, launched in 2012, is the world’s first competition for digitally created fine art. The prize was created with three aims:
• to command attention and increase awareness of this rapidly evolving modern art form,
The latest digital tools allow artists to express their vision and creativity in new ways and share them with artists and audiences around the world via the internet and web-based networks. The inclusive nature of the Lumen Prize allows artists, both emerging and well-known, to submit art created with these tools – smartphones, computers, digital cameras and tablets. The range of styles and methods represented in the first year of the Lumen Prize indicates the huge potential of this enhanced range of artistic techniques.
• to allow artists from across the globe to receive previously unobtainable recognition
As images can be created on low cost technology and uploaded from any internet connection, the Lumen Prize is accessible to artists, whether professional or amateur, in rural or urban settings across the globe. While many of the entries come from established art markets, our proactive search, in partnership with the British Council and Peace Direct, for artists in emerging economies and conflict affected countries has enabled us to find talent that would otherwise be hidden.
• to raise funds for Peace Direct’s work in conflict areas across the globe.
Peace Direct is a registered charity in the UK, US and Germany, which supports innovative and effective local peacebuilding projects in conflict areas.
Lumen Achievements to date
From a standing start in 2012, over 500 works from over 270 artists were uploaded to the Lumen Prize website between mid May and end July. The award was publicised in the media and social media, via art colleges and through artists themselves, as well as with the help of the British Council. Works were submitted from 33 countries. Artists paid $40/£25 to submit up to two images. About 15% of the works were time-based and the rest were still images.
The winning Lumen Prize Exhibition 50, chosen by a panel of art experts, academics and gallery owners around the world, includes works from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, China, Hong Kong and India, as well as more established centres of art. Artists came from 44 cities in 13 countries. The Exhibition 50’will be displayed on a range of digital platforms at Gallery 27, Cork Street, London during the week of January 21st with exhibitions in Riga, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Cardiff following in February and March. A limited print edition has been created for each of the 50 works, printed with archival inks on museum-quality paper. Sales income will be shared between the artists, the galleries and help defray the costs of organising the Lumen Prize and exhibitions. Peace Direct will benefit from a gala auction by Christie’s of selected works on January 21st in Gallery 27, London and will receive any proceeds after costs.
The exhibition is sponsored by Cardiff City, and display equipment for the 2013 exhibitions is being provided by Ricoh Europe and Samsung. Other sponsors in kind include Gallery 27, Nomad Brush and Hannemuhle Fine Art Paper.
Plans for 2013/2014
The Lumen Prize will open for entries for its second year on April 2nd 2013, with a closing date of 31st July. The shortlist will be announced in September and the awards in October. Our goals for 2013/14 are:
• To increase the number of works submitted to at least 1,000
• To increase the number of countries from which work is submitted to 50
Our vision of the Lumen Prize in 2016 is for it to be widely recognised as the leading award for digitally created fine art, with galleries competing to take on the exhibition.
Why exhibit the Lumen Prize?
• Because the Lumen Prize provides a showcase for the best selection of digitally produced fine art, promoting its growth and its recognition by collectors, as well as enabling its practitioners to connect with and be inspired by each other.
• Because the Lumen Prize creates opportunities for artists, irrespective of geography or income, to present their work to the world.
• Because revenue from the limited edition prints will be shared with participating galleries at 25% after costs.
• Because any profits achieved by the sales of prints, after commissions, will support the vital work of Peace Direct.
Who is behind the Lumen Prize?
The Lumen Prize is a project of the Treberfydd Foundation Ltd, a not-for-profit company registered in Wales, UK, and is spearheaded by Carla Rapoport, a former financial journalist who lived and worked in Hong Kong from 1996-2002. The Prize is supported by a global team of advisers from the art and business worlds. Please see the Appendix for full details.
For further information, please email carla@lumenprize.com