[Updated] Call for Entries, Night/Light: Bay Area Photographers Take Aim After Dark
The San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery (SFAC Gallery) and PhotoAlliance are inviting photographers to submit work for their upcoming Art at City Hall exhibition, Night/Light: Bay Area Photographers Take Aim After Dark.
The exhibit will explore what happens between sunset and sunrise, and images will range from landscapes to portraits, from photodocumentary essays to fantastical narratives. They're looking for technical proficiency, creative innovation, and a wide variety of subject matter.
Entrants are asked to submit between three and ten images in digital format by August 14th. Get more info here.
UPDATE I: SFist contacted SFACG regarding the commenter question below, and they said they're mainly concerned about work that "depicts graphic sexual material or gory violence." They will not automatically exclude nudes, images of violence, or politically charged work. Entrants may contact Aimee Le Duc with any questions regarding their photos' subject matter.
SFist recalls seeing partial nudity and other risque material in the recent Replay show that was up at City Hall this spring. So, PG-13 might be the rating entrants should go for here.
UPDATE II: Here is SFACG's response to SFist in it's entirety. They emphasize that how they choose work is a "complex process that does not happen in a vacuum and that SFACG is a place for open communication not decrees of decency."
You're right that the language about appropriate imagery is vaguely worded, which is somewhat intentional. The SFAC Gallery is not in the business of censorship and does not endorse it in any way. That being said, we do have to consider that this is a very public building. If we put explicit materials in our Gallery it is different because people choose to walk into our Gallery and we can talk to them about the work when they are in here. People do not have a choice when walking through that hallway space - sometimes they just have to walk through it and therefore they may see some images they would not have wanted to see. Therefore, we may choose not to include an image in the show if we think it might be too objectionable for young children in particular and the public in general, but that exclusion does not automatically exclude nudes, images of violence or politically charged work. You are right that we have a long history of showing this kind of compelling work in City Hall. That being said, Meg Shiffler, the gallery director and I reserve the right to not include work that depicts graphic sexual material or gory violence out of respect for ALL of the people who use that space.My ultimate suggestion would be for artists who are questioning if their work might fall under that definition of an extreme image is that they should contact Meg Shiffler or me and we will have a conversation with them about the content of their work. As always, our goal is to present the strongest exhibitions for the residents and visitors of San Francisco and this does not happen by following a static list of guidelines, it happens by having thoughtful and open conversations with the artists who participate in our exhibitions, the staff at the Arts Commission and the members of the community who support our Gallery.