Chaos Code

- 2025 New York International Art Competition

Deadline:

  • Deadline: April 10, 2025 (Midnight Eastern Time)

  • Award Announcements: Will be sent to all participants within 7 business days after the deadline.

  • Online Exhibition: April 20 – May 20, 2025

  • Organized by: Whitelock Art Center, New York, USA

Preface to "Chaos Code: 2025 New York International Art Competition":

In today’s world, where globalization and digitalization intertwine, New York continues to be a cultural beacon, shining with infinite possibilities. "Chaos Code," as one of the key themes of Whitelock Art Center's 2025 New York International Art Competition, invites artists from around the globe to explore and challenge the delicate and complex relationship between humanity and technology. In this rapidly changing digital age, we are confronted with an unprecedented identity crisis. Chaos and order, freedom and control intertwine in artistic creation, reflecting the intricate landscape of human development in the future.

"Chaos Code" is not just an exhibition theme but also a movement exploring the confrontational symbiosis between human intuition and AI-generated art. In an era dominated by digital code, algorithms seem omnipresent—from recommendation systems shaping our online behaviors to AI generating artworks. Every line of code is reshaping our understanding of "creation" and "self." Art is no longer merely a visual expression but a dynamic process of collision, interweaving, and reconstruction between human intellect and machine algorithms. The works in this exhibition will showcase how algorithms and human intuition clash, exploring new creative possibilities at the intersection of diverse cultural and technological boundaries.

New York's contemporary art scene has always been known for its inclusivity, criticality, and avant-garde spirit. "Chaos Code" fully embodies these qualities. As an international platform, it not only showcases the creations of artists from different regions but also responds to pressing contemporary issues such as digital identity, artificial intelligence, post-humanism, environmental change, and cultural conflict in the context of globalization. Here, art is not merely an expression but a profound reflection on today’s society. Artists can use technological tools, such as AI generation, virtual reality, and gene editing, to challenge traditional paradigms of artistic creation, subverting conventional notions of art, identity, and self. They may also continue to employ traditional artistic techniques to depict emotionally resonant subjects.

The curatorial team at Whitelock Art Center will focus this international competition on the multiple dimensions of the "future"—both as a vision of human lifestyles to come and a direct critique of current societal and technological transformations. From the bustling streets of New York to rural villages and the boundless virtual space of the internet, from the cold precision of AI-generated art to the delicate warmth of human emotion, each work will ask us: In this highly digitalized age, what does "human nature" mean? Can art, in the face of ever-advancing technology, maintain its core freedom and independence?

"Chaos Code" is not only an art experiment but an invitation to dialogue and reflection. Through the unique language of art, the exhibited works will lead viewers into the digital fog, confronting the myriad possibilities of the future. In this diverse and challenging era, New York once again opens its arms, welcoming artists worldwide to submit their outstanding works and collectively explore the unsolved questions between humanity and technology. This is not only a prophecy for the future of art but also a profound diagnosis of the present. Here, art is no longer just an escape from reality; it is a courageous attempt to face the unknown and challenge fate.

The competition will feature a diverse range of artistic forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, new media, collage, installation art, visual arts, digital art, AI technology and art, and multimedia. The judging panel consists of renowned artists, curators, and critics from around the world, who will evaluate the submissions through three rounds of judging based on creativity, technique, expressiveness, and interpretation of the theme.

Art Competition Rules, Copyright, and Usage

Eligibility:
The competition is open to professional artists, art school students, and art enthusiasts worldwide, aged 18 and above. Participants can join as individuals or teams, with each participant (or team) allowed to submit up to 5 works.

Work Requirements:

  • Theme Relevance: Submissions must align with the theme of "Chaos Code," reflecting the emotional upheaval of the post-human era, and exploring the confrontational symbiosis between AI-generated art and human intuition.

  • Medium Types: Various art forms are accepted, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, video, new media, ceramics, installation art, digital art, visual art, and AI technology and art. Works can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, but their presentation must meet the exhibition's requirements.

  • Originality: All submitted works must be original. The use of third-party materials, plagiarism, or infringement of others' copyrights is strictly prohibited.

Submission Method:
All submissions must be uploaded online via the competition's official website, with detailed descriptions including creative concepts, size, materials, creation year, etc.
Submissions must be made within the specified time frame; late submissions will not be accepted.
A submission fee is required for each entry to cover competition management and exhibition costs.

Submission File Quality:

  • Images of the artist's work in JPG format, or for sound or video art, please provide an online link and a main image of the work.

  • One document containing the artist’s CV.

  • A brief artist’s statement

  • Each artwork should be labeled with the title, year of creation, material, dimensions, artist’s name, and nationality

  • Screenshot of the submission fee payment

  • Submit works to the official email: whitelockartcenter@gmail.com；

  • The email subject should be: xxx name — Chaos Code - 2025 New York International Art Competition

Submission Fee:
Each artist may submit 1 to 5 works, with a total submission fee of $45.

Judging Criteria:

  • Creativity and Theme Relevance: The work should innovatively express relationships related to the theme and align with the competition's concept.

  • Technique and Skill: The technical execution of the artwork, including material use, craftsmanship, and skill level.

  • Emotional Expression and Impact: The ability of the work to convey deep emotions or thoughts, resonating with viewers.

  • Overall Concept and Innovation: The uniqueness of the work and innovation in artistic expression.

Judging Process:

  • Pre-selection: The panel will conduct an initial screening of all submissions, selecting works to proceed to the finals.

  • Secondary Review and Final Judging: Finalist works will undergo a second review and final judging to determine the winners.

Awards:

  • Exhibition Grand Prize

  • Gold Award

  • Silver Award

  • Bronze Award

  • Excellence Award

All winning works will be announced on the organizer’s website and major global media platforms, including art media. Winning works will have the opportunity to be recommended to major contemporary art galleries, curators, and collectors in the U.S., providing artists with a greater chance to advance their artistic careers and increase their chances of being collected. Artists may also have the opportunity to be signed by Whitelock Art Center for solo exhibitions or become members of the academic committee.

All awarded works, if collected by galleries, collectors, etc., during the exhibition period, will have the full commission rights go to the artist.

Global Media:
The Associated Press / ABC / Digital Journal / NBC / HTV10.TV / SNNTV / NCN / FOX 28 / FOX 43 / Business London Press / sebsartlist / widewalls / slideshare / NewsAnyway / Artrabbit / artaviso / service.exibart

Copyright and Usage

Copyright Ownership:
The copyright of all submitted works remains with the participants. By submitting works, participants automatically grant the competition committee the right to use the images and descriptions of the works for promotion during and after the competition.

Usage Authorization:
The competition committee reserves the right to display the images of the works on the website, social media, promotional materials, etc., without additional payment.
Winning works may be used by the committee for exhibition, publication, media coverage, and other non-commercial purposes, with participants retaining attribution rights.

Commercial Use:
If the committee or its partners wish to commercialize any submitted works (such as publications, merchandise, etc.), a separate agreement will be negotiated with the participant to clarify the commercial benefit distribution.

Participant Commitment:
By submitting their works, participants agree to abide by the competition rules and guarantee that their works are original and do not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights. If any plagiarism or infringement is detected, the committee reserves the right to disqualify the participant and pursue legal action.

Dispute Resolution:
In case of any disputes regarding copyright, usage rights, or other issues, both parties should resolve the matter amicably through negotiation. If negotiations fail, the dispute will be submitted to a New York court, and will be handled according to local laws.

These rules ensure the fairness of the competition and protect the legal rights of both participants and organizers. Participants are advised to read and comply with the rules to ensure the smooth running of the competition.