Open Call: Visionary Machines: Romanticism & Art/Tech Exhibition

Open Call: Visionary Machines: Romanticism & Art/Tech Exhibition

We would like to promote Visionary Machines, an interdisciplinary public engagement project exploring the connections between Romanticism (a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement from the late 18th to the mid-19th century) and our contemporary moment. By showcasing the creative responses of students and artists, we aim to foster a greater understanding of Romanticism’s relevance to present-day concerns around the relationship between humans and technology.

We invite students, researchers, artists, technologists, and interdisciplinary creatives to submit creative works exploring how key ideas from Romanticism (e.g. the sublime, organic form, original genius) can be reinterpreted or subverted through digital mediums to help us navigate the ethical, psychological, and aesthetic dimensions of our current technological moment.

A one-day workshop will be additionally held on 18 July (Sat) to kick-off the open call with an introductory talk exploring the exhibition theme, as well as tutorials on innovative creative tools (more information to follow).

Visionary Machines: Romanticism & Art/Tech Exhibition

Exhibition Dates: 27–30 August 2026

Venue: HKU Arts Tech Lab

Admission: Free and open to the public

Submission Guidelines

Submissions may encompass a wide variety of media (e.g. illustration, creative writing, creative code, etc.) provided they can be presented or documented as digital images (single or sequential, max. 10 images) or as a video/audio file (max. 4 minutes). Other set-ups can also be considered (e.g. XR/AR/VR) on a case-by-case basis.

Submission Deadline: 2 August 2026 23:59 

Awards & Recognition

Top Open Prize worth $2,000 HKD

First Runner-Up Open Prize worth $1,500 HKD

Top Student Prize worth $1,500 HKD

Please note: Prizes are restricted to Hong Kong residents. All selected and exhibiting contributors will receive an official Certificate of Participation, regardless of residency status.

Email us: visma@hku.hk

Follow us on Instagram: @visionarymachines2026

Learn more on our website: https://visionary-machines.github.io/

Submit your project: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1HbKYsb6GHI8enY

We look forward to receiving your intellectual and creative contributions soon.

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