OPEN CALL / “Reinventing Photography”

As part of the bicentennial celebrations of le Point de vue du gras*, considered the first photographic image in world history, the Centre National des Arts Plastiques (CNAP) in France has commissioned 15 photographers, focusing on the invention of photography and the relevance of its possible reinvention today. The projects are created using all the techniques that currently allow artists to produce photographic images in innovative forms. To complement this exhibition, Hangar has decided to launch a call for applications open to Belgian artists and/or artists residing in Belgium.

This call invites artists photographers to explore the same theme: 200 years later, how can photography be reinvented? Is photography a medium that reinvents itself? How do photographic artists, through their practice, keep contemporary photography alive?
Launched in June 2025, the call for applications will constitute the Belgian part of the exhibition.

*September 2026 to September 2027: Bicentennial celebrations in France and around the world. Events will be selected and officially recognized by the French Ministry of Culture for their artistic, scientific, or cultural contribution to the history and evolution of photography.
Hangar in Brussels is one of the recognized venues and will host, in September 2026, the exhibition of the CNAP’s commission to 15 photographic artists on the theme “Reinventing Photography.”

The jury will focus on the photographers' ability to reflect on their medium, even to the point of reinventing their practice at times.

Artists are encouraged to explore:

• All facets of contemporary photographic creation - whether analog, ecosophical, digital or experimental

• The creation of images, both material and immaterial, using all techniques, from the most traditional to the most innovative

Conditions for participation

• being over the age of majority (18+)

• being an artist photographer

• should demonstrate at least ONE of these two possibilities:
  - have a track record of professional practice as an artist (exhibitions, publications)
  - have an art school degree

This call is open ONLY for original and unpublished projects / The works must be conceived, created, and produced specifically for this commission.

Terms & conditions

Benefits

• Laureates will be part of the collective exhibition at Hangar from September… to December…, 2026, co-curated by Hangar and CNAP.

• Laureates will have their work published in the exhibition catalogue.

• Support for the production costs of the exhibition’s works.

• Cash prize of 4000€ for each of 5 laureates.

Jury

An experienced jury chaired by … and composed of 9 experts will select 5 projects from all submissions:

Selection criteria

• Respect the theme

• The project must have a relevant storytelling.

• Depth of the conceptual reflection.

• Ability to provoke thought and discussion on reinventing photography

• The project must be serial and composed of 10 (minimum) to 20 images.

The jury will select 5 laureates.

We look forward to discovering your innovative proposals and creating a captivating exploration!

Key dates

Registration & submission
From July 10 to 30 September 2025

Pre-selections
3rd week of September 2025

Deliberations of the jury
October 2025

Announcement of the laureates
15 October 2025

Curatorial and scenographic decisions + production
November 2025 - May 2026

Production
June - July 2026

Exhibition
September - December 2026

Registration and submission will be open on July 10th, 2025.