A most unusual merging of disciplines, the competition’s theme centered around the principles of respect, pluralism, personal integrity and human vulnerability as defined in articles 8 & 12 of the UNESCO Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. Artists were encouraged to reflect goodness, truth and beauty by means of painting, collage, printmaking, drawing, mixed media, and photography.
225 submissions were received from 23 countries by 132 artists. An international expert panel of six judges was charged with choosing the winners. The 11 winners can be seen here, together with the 19 finalists a catalogue will eventually be published. (Image shows one of the 11 finalists “Olga” by Andrea Mariconti)
Listen to Alberto Garcia and Yvonne Debina who were interviewed about the nature of the contest on KPFT 90.1 in Houston on August 5, 2011.
The UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights Global Art Competition will be exhibiting 11 winners from 6 countries in the following locations:
- The Woodlands, Texas: Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church, September 10, 2011 from 3 – 9 p.m. Reception 4 p.m.
- The United Nations: General Assembly Hall, New York, NY, October 3, 2011, Reception from 6 – 8 p.m. ongoing exhibit until October 6, 2011. The 11 winning pieces will be unveiled and the best of show will be announced.
- Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University: Rome, Italy, in conjunction with the Multicultural and Religion Workshop there October 9 – 11.
- M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX at the Conference on Ethics March 31, 2012, Reception and auction.
Congratulations to the 11 winners: Nadia Bettega: Olga, Andrea Mariconti: A Democratic Republic Founded on Labor, Peter Walter: Sisters, Mozhdeh Nourmohammadi: Imbalance, Michael Collins: 20th Century Totems, Riccardo Ajossa: Heart Rates, Antonio Laglia: Lorenzo, Luz Maria Dollero: Trapeze of Life, Alison Batley: Matrix, Elia Sabato: Or, Erika Duek: The Twins
The winning art work is for sale and will be auctioned March 31, 2011 to benefit Bioethics Art, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Integrated Ethics Department and the 2013 Global Art Competition scholarships and awards. However, advance sales are permitted and will be accepted by contact through this e-mail address, info@bioethicsart.org.
Catalogs will include 30 art works: the 11 winners and the remaining 19 finalists and are on sale through our website and at the exhibits in New York and Italy. The catalogs include original music composed and performed for the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights Global Art Competition by Keith Lathrom and his orchestra.
The next competition will be in 2013 and we will be issuing information on the theme, requirements and location in the next few months.