Intelligent Objects is an open call for those artworks that act as independent agents and explore the cross-section of analog and digital media. In this age of the internet of things, where our toasters communicate over the internet and robots vacuum our floors, this exhibition explores those artistic objects — or their 2D and 3D representations — which appear to be responsive to our existence, or at least demand an empathy if not an emotion, that we give to sentient beings.

Perhaps the first and most famous example is the Useless Machine, invented in 1952 by Marvin Minsky while at Bell Labs. When turned on, this machine had only one function, to turn itself off. It paralleled the work of Jean Tinguely and had its artistic antecedents in Marcel Duchamp’s Large Glass. Like Large Glass, the art in this exhibition need not be kinetic or sculptural, it is open to any combination of traditional and new media. Artistic manifestations of “intelligence” may be static imagery, even represented by simple code.

About the Juror
George Fifield is a media arts curator, writer, teacher and artist. He is the founder and director of Boston Cyberarts Inc., a nonprofit arts organization that produced the Boston Cyberarts Festival, an international biennial Festival that included exhibitions of visual art, music, dance, and theatrical performances as well as film and video presentations and symposia at numerous organizations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For thirteen years until 2006, Fifield was also Curator of New Media at the DeCordova.

Eligibility
Open to all media. If selected, work must be sent ready for display. The artist must provide any necessary equipment. Work must be able to pass through a doorway measuring 80 by 40 inches; no piece may exceed a weight of 75 pounds. If framed, please indicate glass or plexiglass on back. Exceptions to any of these requirements must be justified in writing at the time of entry. Please indicate any particular needs for display and handling of each entry. Installation logistics for the display must be outlined in a separate document and submitted with the entry.

Entry Requirements
Artists must enter online. One $35 entry fee covers up to three entries. Entry fees are non-refundable. Each entry must have been completed within the past 2 years. Each entry may be represented by up to three digital images: one required overall view and up to two detail views, if necessary. Digital images must be of professional quality in jpeg format, minimum 300 dpi resolution at 4×6 inches (1200×1800 pixels). File names must include the artist’s last name and the title of the work (i.e. lastname-title.jpg). Each submission must also include an Artist Statement. CAW reserves the right to refuse an entry which has been significantly misrepresented by its entry or if the juror finds the work unacceptable for any reason.

Jurying and Awards
Work will be selected for the exhibition by the juror on the basis of digital image entries. Award winners will be chosen from actual work. Two artists will be awarded a joint exhibition at CAW in 2016. All selected entries will be included in an online gallery on the CAW website.

Delivery of Accepted Work
Shipped work must arrive between April 14 and April 15. Artists are responsible for paying shipping costs, including any insurance, with the carrier of their choice to and from CAW. Confirm that the carrier will pick up at CAW and will transport the artwork into and out of the building. (Please note that CAW has no loading dock.) Reusable packing materials will be retained for return shipping. CAW will not be responsible for damage due to incorrect packing materials or insufficient container when returning artwork as it was originally shipped. Artists must provide a pre-paid shipping label for return of artwork. Artists will be notified via email of the estimated return delivery date.

Liability and Responsibility
CAW will take every precaution in handling accepted artwork, which will be insured while on site. CAW assumes no responsibility after the last pick-up date. In the event of theft or damage, CAW’s insurance will cover 60% of the sale price or the not-for-sale value. The Workshop must be notified of claim within two weeks of shipment or pick-up date. Submission of work and signature on the entry form shall constitute an agreement on the part of the artist to the conditions set forth in this prospectus. Participation in the exhibition shall further include permission to photograph work and use images for publicity and educational purposes.

Sales
A commission of 40% will be retained by CAW on all sales. A sale price or not-for-sale (NFS) value must be indicated for all work. Artwork not for sale should have a value exclusive of commission

Entries Due March 1, 2015
Notification March 23, 2015
Work Due at CAW April 14 – 15, 2015
Exhibition May 1 – June 5, 2015
Reception Friday, May 1, 2015
Pick-Up Dates June 8 – 12, 2015
Return Shipment June 8 – 12, 2015

About Creative Arts Workshop
Creative Arts Workshop (CAW) is a community art school devoted to fostering creativity through participation in and appreciation of the visual arts. CAW has served the Greater New Haven area since 1961, offering classes in fine arts and crafts to more than 3,000 adults and young people every year in its fully-equipped studios located in downtown New Haven. The Workshop’s two-story Hilles Gallery presents exhibitions to the public free of charge throughout the year.