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Call for Art, Gimmie More: The Eras of American Consumption
Type: Exhibition Opportunities [View all]
Posted by: Missouri State University
Deadline: Fri, April 18th, 2025
As a species, we have always been consumers of the materials/supplies we need to survive. Up until the Industrial Revolution, we broadly approached our consumption with need-based frugality. But as the 19th century dawned, our relationship with our accoutrements drastically changed as society shifted toward a consumerist culture. Today, we consume more than ever before; from 2016-2021 we globally consumed 75% of what we did for the entire 20th century. We no longer consume what we need;, we take what we covet, and then some. The evolution of our collective consumption illustrates our insatiable hunger for more. What will our next era of consumption be?
Gimmie More: The Eras of American Consumption invites artists to engage, critique, wrestle with, and face our relationship with consumption through visual media. Below is a framework for the evolution of consumption over the past two centuries:
I. Industrial Revolution: Consumption emerges
II. WWI and WWII: Save Everything to Keep America!
III. Emerging out of War: Consumption to Save America!
IV. Post War: Consumption as Propaganda
V. Class Consumption
VI. Modernized Consumption to Produce Efficiency
VII. Late-Stage consumption
To keep up with the jones’, to keep up with tech and its planned obsolescence, to show off to others, to show off how much you give away, to show off how little you need
VIII. Epilogue: PURGE: A New History for American Consumerism, Marie Kondo-ing Consumption to Preserve America
Submissions
We welcome submissions from artists working in all disciplines whose work engage with the theme(s) of the exhibition. Each submission should include a statement detailing howwho the work connects to these themes, enriching the curatorial process and offering deeper engagement for the audience.
Submission Requirements
● Each artist may submit up to 4 works.
● Up to 4 images of each submitted work, including detail shots as relevant (please format as jpeg, png, or PDF).
● A brief description of each work’s response to exhibition theme (maximum 250 words).
● Optional artist statement (maximum 250 words).
● Artist bio or CV.
● Proposal for installation or performance works, if applicable.
Submission deadline
Midnight, April 18, 2025
Notifications of acceptance sent: May 9, 2025
How to submit
Submissions should be sent via https://tinyurl.com/gimmiemorecallforart
Please email Jodi McCoy, Director of Exhibitions at jmccoy@missouristate.edu with questions
Exhibition Details
Location: Carolla Arts Exhibition Center
Exhibiting institution will cover inbound and outbound artwork delivery via university UPS account OR provide a fixed stipend for travel to delivery works.
Dates: September 2 – October 3 | First Friday Art Walk Receptions: September 5 & October 3, 6-9pm
Posted on Fri, March 7th, 2025
Expires on Fri, April 18th, 2025
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