On The Uses Of Fire – MakeRoom Inc. Curatorial Agency

MakeRoom x Sankofa Square

About this Call

Theme: On The Uses Of Fire
Guest Curator: Roya DelSol

“On The Uses Of Fire” speaks to the necessity and clarifying nature of anger for marginalized communities, in a world that requires it as fuel to engender change.

What bubbles beneath the surface? When molten lava emerges, consumes, hardens and weathers; what sprouts from that fertile, sulphuric soil? How do we utilize our rage in service of rebirth?

This open call is made possible through the generosity of our venue partner, Sankofa Square.

Guidelines & Details

From March 1st to March 31st, this collection will play at Sankofa Square.

Up to four (4) pieces per artist will be displayed for 15 seconds every 5 minutes on the screens located at Sankofa Square.
There are five (5) screens in total, two (2) horizontal and three (3) vertical and one (1) will be dedicated to the artist’s name, headshot and a short bio.

Selected pieces that don’t fit the aspect ratio guidelines will be cropped to fit the screens.

Deadline: February 17th, 2025.

Submission Guidelines

Only open to artists in the Greater Toronto Area.
5 artists will be chosen for this open call by guest curator Roya DelSol via scoring process.
Each artist will receive an honorarium of $350.

Format

Artists may submit up to 4 pieces of artwork.
Artist must also include a headshot
All submissions should be in JPEG, PNG or MP4 format.
Any video art must be exactly 15 seconds as per Sankofa guidelines.

Criteria

Artwork will be approved using the following criteria: Aesthetic Quality, Concept & Theme Cohesion.
Artwork should enhance the overall public environment and pedestrian streetscape experience.

Sankofa Text Guidelines

Content cannot use emotionally exploitative or pleading language.
Content cannot contain repeated and unnecessary punctuation, such as “Is someone looking for you?!?”
Masked vulgarity is not acceptable (e.g., “Huge A** Savings Today”).
Use of uncommon fonts or multiple font colors for the sole purpose of drawing attention/distracting the user is not acceptable.
Content must include logical and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

Sankofa Image & Video Guidelines

Video content images and audio must be clear, high quality and play smoothly.
Poor resolution, grainy looking images are not acceptable.
Stretched or skewed imagery is not acceptable.
Content cannot include a border.
High-annoyance design elements such as arrows and circles that needlessly call attention to the advertisement are not acceptable.
Use of any Sankofa Square-related logos without express permission is not permitted. Requests to use Sankofa Square logos should be submitted to management for review.

Sankofa Content Guidelines

Some content may be sensitive to the general public and should use care in creative development and placement.
Content must be age-appropriate and protect youth privacy and safety.
Content and landing pages that leverage fear, sensitive political or cultural topics, tragic events, or salacious content to promote commercial products or offers, are not permitted.
Viscerally impactful images such as close up images of medical conditions or unattractive conditions the product is meant to treat, blood, body parts, or bodily fluids are not permitted.
Content must adhere to Guidelines for Use, including Sankofa Proselytizing Policy.

AI Policy

MakeRoom embraces the creative use of new technologies to enhance artistic expression. Acceptable use of AI in an open call will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Any use of AI must be accurately disclosed and described at the time of submission.

In the case of doubt about the use of AI to create the submitted artwork, MakeRoom may request more information. Failure to provide the requested information within 2 business days may result in disqualification.

MakeRoom reserves the right to disqualify any entry that has been entered in violation of these requirements.

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About The Curator

Roya DelSol (b. 1990) is a Black lens-based curator, filmmaker & photographer of Caribbean heritage currently living & working in T’karonto. She creates photographic, video, installation and immersive (XR) work; aiming for her work in all spheres to center and uplift the experiences Black, queer, and marginalized peoples. She is drawn to the sharp, chaotic and disruptive nature of Black (femme) rage, revenge and retribution; along with expressions of Black queer eroticisms.

She has curated exhibitions with Doris McCarthy Gallery at University of Toronto, Scarborough; Trinity Square Video, The Margin of Eras Gallery & It’s OK* Studios. Her experimental video, photography and installation work has been featured in group exhibitions with Patel Brown Gallery, Textile Museum of Canada, Nia Centre, Myseum Toronto & Venus Festival.

About Sankofa Square

Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes. You’ll discover a wide range of activities on the Square: community celebrations, theatrical events, concerts, receptions, promotions – events that appeal to residents and tourists alike and provide a showcase for local businesses.

About MakeRoom Inc

MakeRoom Inc. is a curatorial agency & arts organization whose mission is to provide space to BIPOC and Emerging Artists to display their work, as well as provide funding opportunities.