LICHTROUTEN OPEN CALL
LICHTROUTEN is a light and media art festival that has been held in Lüdenscheid since 2002 and regularly attracts 50,000 visitors. The next edition will take place from March 11–20, 2027. We invite artists to present their ideas, working methods, and projects to us.
REAL TIME
The theme of LICHTROUTEN and the OPEN CALL is “Real Time.” The festival explores the interconnection between analog and digital reality. How do digital technologies change our physical experience of space, light, and art? And how, in turn, does the analog influence our perception of the digital?
Do you work at the intersection of physical and digital reality? We are interested in artistic observations, reflections, and research on overlaps, intersections, and interactions that focus on exchange, synchronization, and influence between processes in the analog and digital dimensions. We are seeking works that make this connection tangible through new forms of visualization, data-driven processes, sensory responses, or installations that link analog and digital processes in real time.
ART OF PROJECTION
The call for submissions is open to artists, collectives, and interdisciplinary teams from all artistic disciplines, provided the work can be realized as a projection in public space. We welcome artistic concepts and projects that translate new perspectives into unusual visual worlds. We welcome video projects, projection mappings, and contributions with an experimental, essayistic, or documentary focus that work with data, structures, or systems in dynamic visualizations.
LOCATION
City Library (rear facade), Corneliusstraße
Map
TEMPLATES
Templates for concept development
Link
TECHNOLOGY
1 Panasonic RZ31
1 sound system
JURY ℅ LICHTROUTEN KOLLEKTIV
The LICHTROUTEN COLLECTIVE is an association of LICHTROUTEN assistants who support artists, guide audiences, assist with art mediation, or help with production during the festival. The board of the non-profit association serves as the jury for the open call, together with the artistic directors.
Alexandra Turk
Cornelia Amtenbrink
Maximilian Pondruff
Philipp Brinkmann
Tom Groll
Ulrike Tütemann
Wolfgang Teipel
ARTISTIC DIRECTION
Bettina Pelz
Tom Groll
DEADLINE
AUG 16, 2026
SCHEDULE
Aug 16, 2026 Submission deadline for entries
Oct 1, 2026 Announcement of selection for the exhibition
Feb 1, 2027 Deadline for submission of the final exhibition project
Mar 11–20, 2027 Exhibition period
FEE
An existing work (including minor revisions) will be remunerated with €1,000. A site- or context-specific work will be remunerated with €4,000.
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Participation in the LICHTROUTEN OPEN CALL is free of charge and takes place exclusively online.
Submissions containing racist, sexist, or violent images, symbols, or content will be excluded from the open call.
Both existing and new projects may be submitted.
Applicants must hold the performance rights for all components of the work.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
INFO
Name
Email Address
REFERENCES
Artistic Statement
2 to 3 samples of work with a brief description and visual material
Sample visual material (300 dpi)
LICHTROUTEN PROJECT
Title of the work
Year of creation
Concept of the work / Description of the work
Sample visual material (300 dpi)
For existing projects, please provide documentation and a record of the exhibition history. For new projects, please provide a concept and some images that allow us to understand the content and visual qualities of the project.
SEND BY EMAIL
Please send an email with download links to opencall@lichtrouten.de