The Invasion of UltrArte III ed.
Sacred and Profane: Contemporary Paradox
Genoa | May 6–9, 2026 — Via Luccoli, Vico della Casana, Via XXV Aprile
Call deadline: December 22, 2025
Transform the historic center of Genoa into an international expo: we are looking for works capable of creating a dialogue between the sacred and the profane, rituality and irony, memory and new digital idolatries.
The Invasion of UltrArte is a site-specific project that brings contemporary works to shop windows, entrance halls, and historic venues, creating thematic itineraries that involve citizens and visitors in a participatory and immersive experience.
CONCEPT
Sacred and Profane: Contemporary Paradox explores the theme as a living and paradoxical tension in contemporary culture. Between urban relics and emptied symbols, between post-secular rituals and new digital idolatries, the event makes space to investigate the forms that the sacred and the profane take today, in the body of society.
A widespread project that delicately and powerfully invades the shop windows and historic atriums of central Genoa, transforming the urban space into a poetic and critical threshold.
We are looking for works that are poetic, critical, and visually striking in the public space.
WHO IT IS AIMED AT
Visual artists (individuals or collectives) with new and existing works in the following formats and techniques:
Two-dimensional works: max 50 × 70 cm
Three-dimensional works: max base 40 × depth 30 × height 40 cm
Techniques: painting, graphics, photography, collage, and Mixed media.
WHAT WE OFFER
Exhibition in the historic center during the third edition of the event.
Technical support for setup.
Promotion on official channels and social media.
Digital publication in the exhibition catalog.
SELECTION
The selection is at the sole discretion of the curators of Passo Blu — Federica Barcellona and Giusi Lorelli.
The main selection criteria will be: originality, consistency with the concept, aesthetic and poetic quality. We are looking for authentic, powerful, even uncomfortable works, as long as they are incisive and necessary.
FEE & CONDITIONS
STEP 1: Participation fee for selection: €15 (administrative costs) —
MANDATORY for application (send receipt).
STEP 2: IF SELECTED:
- Participation fee for the exhibition: Under 30: €20, Over 30: €35
- Travel expenses, accommodation (if required), and responsibility for the delivery and collection of works are the responsibility of the artists.
- The presence of artists during the event is greatly appreciated, particularly for the ArTour on May 9, 2026.
- Artists will be asked to submit a vertical video (Social Reel) lasting no longer than 1 minute to introduce themselves and their work. The video is mandatory, while the artist's physical presence in the video is not necessary (although recommended).
PAYMENT METHODS:
Bank transfer to Passo Blu International - "Selezione UltrArte 26" - IBAN: IT11Q0306909606100000195586
PayPal Passo Blu "Selezione UltrArte 26": passobluinternational@gmail.com
HOW TO APPLY — REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (IN ONE EMAIL) Send everything by December 22, 2025, to candidatura@passoblu.org Subject: Invasion 3 — Sacred and Profane
MATERIALS TO ATTACH:
- Portfolio (PDF, max 10 MB).
- Image of the submitted work in JPG, 72 DPI, long side 2000 px, max 2 MB + description of the work (measurements, technique, year).
Please name the work as follows: Author name_Title_Invasion3 - Brief concept of the work/project (max 500 characters).
- Brief bio of the artist (max 350 characters).
- Any links to website/Instagram.
- Receipt of payment of the administrative fee of €15.
SELECTION RESULTS
The results of the selection process will be communicated exclusively to the selected artists by January 30, 2026. The list of selected artists will be published on the official website by March 31, 2026.
LOGISTICAL NOTES
The combinations of works and spaces will be communicated before the event begins but may be subject to change during set-up for curatorial reasons in the organic construction of the event.
Participate — bring your work to the heart of the city of Genoa.