REALISMS

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Realism – the style of representation that implies a high degree of accuracy – has long been a powerful force in art, shaping our understanding of the world by offering representations that claim to objectively reflect reality. From the stylized realism of Egyptian funerary masks and the idealized proportionality of classical Greek sculptures to the striking naturalistic depiction of animals and plants in 10th century China, the linear clarity of Nigerian artistic traditions, the carnal sensuality of the Baroque, and the indexical faithfulness of photography, realism has never been the exclusive domain of the Western canon. Instead, it emerged at different times in different places as a highly political and ideological tool—one rooted in a desire for philosophical truthfulness and an attempt to make visible what is believed to be real.

At its core, as a disciplinary approach, realism serves as an indispensable conduit for knowledge, shaping our collective perception of what might be true and what is not. Yet, the seemingly transparent relationship between representation and reality can, in fact, obscure deeper truths, objectify, and limit our understanding of the world to what meets the eye. 

In an era defined by post-truth narratives, realism has become even more complex. What role does realism play within a landscape saturated with misinformation, digital fabrication, and proliferating subjective truths? Can realism offer a means of grounding us in shared realities, or does it merely reinforce illusions of certainty and control? Furthermore, how might forms of realism—from classical to speculative—help us engage with the more-than-human world, offering new ways to relate to ecological interconnectivity? Could realism become a tool for dismantling objectifying and anthropocentric tropes, or does it simply perpetuate reductive views that ultimately only distances us from the complexities of nature?

Antennae invites submissions that critically explore realism’s evolving presence in art, philosophy, and visual culture. We seek essays, creative works, and visual contributions that interrogate realism across cultures and histories, critically address its affirmative rhetoric, challenge its assumptions, and examine its potential to both illuminate and obscure. How can new forms of realism help us make sense of the world we live in today? What are the implications of realism’s enduring grip on our imagination, and how might contemporary artists reinterpret it to reflect the fluid and multifaceted realities of our time?

We welcome diverse perspectives and encourage interdisciplinary approaches that push the boundaries of what realism can be.

Please send a 250 word abstract outlining your proposed contribution and up to three images to Giovanni Aloi (Editor and Founder of Antennae at antennaeproject@gmail.com) by June 15th 2025. Acceptance notices: June 30th. 

www.antennae.org.uk 
 

 

Academic essays = length 4000 words max

Artists’ portfolio = 10 images along with 1000 words max statement/commentary

Interviews = maximum length 5000 words

Fiction = maximum length 5000 words

Roundtable discussions = 4000 words

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