OPEN CALL: Artistic collaboration and commission

Avatar for Pernille Lystlund Matzen Pernille Lystlund Matzen

We are seeking artists interested in collaborating on the creation of a new commissioned artwork that will be included in an upcoming exhibition about stem cells.

OPEN CALL: Artistic collaboration and commission

In March 2026 Medical Museion and Politikens Forhal will jointly open an exhibition that explores past, current and future uses of stem cells by bringing together perspectives from science, contemporary art and cultural history. We are therefore seeking three artists who want to take part in an artistic collaboration to each create a new, commissioned work that will be part of the exhibition. The exhibition project is based on a co-curation process, where contemporary artists develop formats through conversations and workshops with researchers, curators and citizen perspectives. The project is based at the Medical Museion and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW). The exhibition is curated by Medical Museion and will be shown at Politikens Forhal and Medical Museion. 

Deadline for applying is Monday 6th January 2025.

About the exhibition

The exhibition seeks to support a curious and critical engagement with new stem cell research and stem cell medicine across art, science and history, and to cultivate respect across different kinds of knowledge and experience.

Stem cells

Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the body. They are both able to multiply and, when given the right signals, develop into different types of cells found in the body. Developments in stem cell research have made it possible to grow many types of cells in the laboratory, and even miniature 3D structures resembling key features of organs such as the brain, liver and kidney. These new possibilities for influencing the direction and shape cells take show great potential for treating diseases and providing deeper insight into basic human development, but also raise ethical and existential questions. How do we relate to lab-grown structures that mimic some of the functions of a brain, embryo or heart? How can stem cell research navigate the balance between exploring potential future scenarios, but at the same time avoid creating hype and unrealistic expectations? And what are the ethics raised by stem cell technologies? Who decides what limits could or should apply?

Stem cell research is about helping patients for whom there are few options left – and is also about who we want to become, and therefore also fundamentally about who we are – as bodies and as life. Here, art’s exploratory, philosophical and tactile methods can ignite fundamental reflections and open up new perspectives on the science and research behind stem cells and stem cell medicine.

Application process

To apply, please submit the following documents as a combined PDF to curator and project manager Pernille Lystlund Matzen: pernille.matzen@sund.ku.dk

  • Max 1 page motivation for being part of the project.
  • Max 2 pages CV of applicant(s) as well as contact information
  • Max 5 pages portfolio with relevant image documentation of previous work and projects that substantiate the artist’s experience and – if possible – has relevance to the content or co-curatorial method of the exhibition.

The application must be in English and should be submitted by January 6th at 23.59.

We encourage all qualified applicants regardless of gender, gender identity, age, disability, education, faith and ethnic background to apply.

Among the received applications, a small number of applicants will be shortlisted for an interview. The shortlisted candidates will receive an interview invitation no later than January 15, and the interviews will be held in the following weeks. If you have not received an invitation by January 15th, this means you are no longer in consideration for the call.

Structure of artistic collaboration

The artistic collaboration runs from 1 March 2025 – exhibition opening in March 2026. During the period, the selected artists are expected to carry out/take part in:

  • Background reading about stem cells and stem cell medicine (reading suggestions can be provided).
  • Regular check-in meetings (approximately once a month) with curator Pernille Matzen and researcher Louise Whiteley from Medical Museion.
  • Participation in 2-3 group workshops during 2025 with artists, stem cell researchers and other relevant interlocutors, where the artists are expected to share their research and ongoing work process.
  • Conversations with individual researchers as deemed useful by the artists.
  • Delivery of a work sketch of the commissioned work in early October 2025 consisting of a description/visualization of concept including central themes, media and visual style.
  • Visit to the ReNEW stem cell laboratory at Panum. There is also the opportunity to research the collections at Medicinsk Museion.

Fee

We offer:

  • An exhibition fee of DKK 50,000. Payment is made immediately after the opening of the exhibition and is conditioned by the completion of the commissioned work in time for the exhibition opening. In addition, you preferably live near Copenhagen or can cover your own travel costs.
  • Contribution of DKK 25,000 for materials and exhibition production, which is paid after signing the contract, approximately one year before the exhibition opening.

More information:

About Medicinsk Museion
About Politikens Forhal