Open call: Heilige Aarde / Sacred Earth

The Groningen Synagogue invites artists to contribute to the exhibition ‘Sacred Earth’.

Exhibition space of the Groningen Synagogue

How do we, as humans, as a culture, as a philosophy of life, view nature?

Throughout history, different cultures and religions have constructed their own images of nature. These images determine not only how nature is perceived, but also how it is valued, used, protected or controlled. Nature acts as a mirror: of belief systems, world views and images of humanity. These perspectives tell us not only how we treat nature, but also who we are ourselves.

Religious, spiritual and secular traditions offer different ways of looking at nature. Sometimes it is experienced as creation or as the bearer of something greater than ourselves; sometimes as a teacher who invites us to pay attention and slow down. For others, nature is primarily a community of living beings that requires care and responsibility, or conversely, a functional space that can be arranged, managed and used. Sacred earth does not have to be far away. It can manifest itself in a mythical landscape, but just as easily in a back garden, a balcony plant, or the grass of the Noorderplantsoen. Even everyday nature can be a carrier of meaning, memory or connection.

We invite artists to explore and depict this multitude of images of nature. Questions that may arise include:

· How does nature reflect ourselves or our philosophy of life?

· What role do religious, spiritual or cultural traditions play in your image of nature?

· What tension or connection do you see between people, culture and nature?

The exhibition aims to encourage visitors to reflect on their own image of nature and to show how personal, religious and cultural perspectives are linked to contemporary ecological issues and the future of our planet.

The exhibition aims to be a space where different religions, philosophies and artistic voices come together. Art thus becomes a mirror that invites us to take a fresh look at nature and at ourselves.

Conditions

• All disciplines are welcome: visual arts, photography, installation, performance, poetry, multimedia, etc.

• We welcome artists from all cultural and religious backgrounds.

• The work must fit within the context of a synagogue and invite dialogue and reflection.

• The work should not exceed 125 cm wide x 100 cm long (and possibly 100 cm deep); multiple small works are also possible.

This is an unpaid exhibition, but you may use it as a sales exhibition (as long as it remains on display until the end of the exhibition period).

Practical information

• Submission deadline: 1 April 2026

• Exhibition dates: mid-June 2026 (specific date to be announced later) to Sunday 11 October 2026.

• Send your proposal (max. 1 A4 + portfolio/photos/link) to curator Lola van der Made: conservator@synagogegroningen.nl

 Three examples for inspiration:

• The Tree of Life appears in various philosophies of life. Painting in the Shaki Khan palace, Azerbaijan National Art Museum. Image: Urek Meniashvili - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

• 'Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer' painting by Caspar David Friedrich (1818).

• The concept of “paradise” can conjure up all kinds of images in our minds. Painting by Jan Brueghel the Younger (1620).