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OPEN CALL | LIGA 20: INVISIBLE GEOMETRIES
LIGA, Space for Architecture, Mexico City and Arquine call upon young latin american architects to design a temporary site-specific installation for LIGA’s 20th exhibition presented in the space.
SUMMARY:
Participants: open to young Latin American architects
Theme: Invisible Geometries
Registration period: March 30 to July 6, 2015.
Entry fee: $60.00 USD (early registration) - $80.00 USD.
Submission deadline: July 13, 2015.
Submission: electronic submission, 2 tabloid-sized boards.
Winner is announced: August 10, 2015.
Prizes: the selected proposal will be shown in LIGA’s gallery, as the 20th exhibition in its annual program.
Jury: Macelo Faiden (ARG), Jonathan Olivares (EUA), Marcelo Gualano (URY), Andrés Jaque (ESP), Iñaki Bonillas
(MEX), Frida Escobedo (MEX), Alvaro Puntoni (BRA), Mauricio Pezo (CHI), Miguel Mesa (COL), Florencia Rodríguez
(ARG), Isaac Broid (MEX), Mauricio Rocha (MEX), Tatiana Bilbao (MEX).
CONTENTS:
1. OVERVIEW:
1.1 Background
1.2 Theme
1.3 General design guidelines
1.4 Eligibility
1.5 Anonymity
2. SUBMISSION AND CALENDAR:
2.1. Entry format
2.2. Submission deadline
2.3. General calendar
3. JURY AND PRICES:
3.1. Jury
3.2. Prices
4. REGISTRATION
5. Q & A
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1. OVERVIEW
LIGA, Space for Architecture and Arquine invite young architects to enter their first open competition for the annual exhibition program. The winner will be invited to design and present their proposal for the LIGA 20 exhibition.
LIGA is a collaborative initiative by the Mexican architecture firm PRODUCTORA and Ruth Estévez (curator and art
critic). Since it was founded in 2011, this 16m² space has become one of the leading showcases for contemporary
Latin American architecture. So far, it has presented 17 exhibitions as well as numerous lectures and other events.
The program has managed to promote emerging Latin American architects both locally and internationally, as well
as create collaborative bonds within the local community, while always seeking new content. In 2014, LIGA published its first monograph, which compiles the work of the first three years.
For more information on LIGA: www.liga-df.com
Indoor view of the LIGA exhibition space, Insurgentes Sur 348 PB, Col. Roma Sur, Mexico City.
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1.1. Background:
The OPEN CALL LIGA 20 is an open and anonymous competition. The winner will be determined by a jury composed of prestigious architects as well as leading personalities from both the local and international cultural and
architectural scene. The rules for the open call can be consulted and downloaded on the web page: www.liga-df.
com/opencall.
The complete rules of the open call, including the architectural plans of the space and the kit for the participants
competition can only be downloaded through the system after the fee and the process of the inscription is completed.
1.2. Theme:
The participants must present a proposal for an installation for the LIGA exhibition space around the theme: Invisible Geometries.
LIGA’s curatorial focus looks to develop a program which reflects on architecture by exhibiting the components
which constitute it, both as an intellectual practice and as a discipline where a variety of different interests converge. The majority of the past proposals for LIGA have succeeded in depicting, in one way or another, the intangible
components of architecture. The conceptual process behind the invited architect’s practice has always been the
main focus of the projects. Be it the Interstitial Spaces in Adamo Faiden’s proposal, the Delicate Balance in the installation by Carla Juaçaba, the Atmosphere in Paisajes Emergentes’ work, or Frida Escobedo’s work on Time, all the
exhibits have materialized crucial characteristics of architecture with innovative and experimental proposals. The
projects have contributed to the questioning of the traditional mode of presenting architecture.
Invisible Geometries is a starting point for participants, however, it is extremely important that the proposal reflects
the participant’s own philosophy and makes a connection with their body of work to date. Lastly, it is recommended
to take a close look at past exhibitions in the LIGA gallery in order to expand the diversity of ideas.
1.3. General design guidelines:
1) There are no limitations in terms of materials, scale, physical properties or technologies. There are a few conditions related to the use and security of the gallery which must be taken into account. These conditions will be
described in detail in documents, floor plans, sections and FAQs.
2) The installation will remain in the gallery for a period of 3 months. This should be taken into account when choosing materials and evaluating their durability.
3) The budget for the installation, including materials and manpower should not exceed $2,500 USD. (The same
budget that has been assigned to all past LIGA exhibits).
4) The proposal must fit within the physical confines of the exhibition space. See plans and photographs of the
space.
5) The proposal must also consider that there is no security or constant maintenance personnel assigned to the
exhibition space.
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1.4. Eligibility:
The competition is directed towards Latin American architects or architecture students. Foreign nationals may
apply if they can demonstrate residence in Latin America for the last 2 years. This can be either individually or as a
team.
For international teams, Latin American participants must sign as holders of the proposal; non-Latin American participants or team members from other disciplines besides architecture, should be mentioned as contributors to the
proposal. Each participant or team is limited to one proposal and under no circumstances may one participant be
a member of more than one team.
LIGA´s main objective is to promote emerging architecture. For this reason, the competition is geared towards
young architects who are developing their practices. It is a requirement that all team leaders and collaborators are
under 40 years of age on the 13 of July 2015.
Ideally, the proposal for LIGA 20 should reflect the participant´s ideology and body of work. However, IT IS NOT a
requirement to have completed a degree or be registered as an architect in the country of residence. This allows
architecture students or recently graduated architects to participate in the competition.
The following are not eligible to participate:
• Members of the jury or anyone who is a LIGA employee within the time span of the competition.
• Blood relatives, spouses or anyone maintaining stable professional relationships with members of the jury and/or
LIGA.
1.5. Anonymity:
Once the registration process is complete, each participant or team will be assigned a code. The code must be
placed in boards files in the bottom right hand corner. This will be the only way to identify each proposal.
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2. SUBMISSION AND CALENDAR
2.1. Entry format:
The proposal should be presented in one PDF file no larger than 10 MB and containing 2 tabloid (11’’ x 17’’) boards,
oriented horizontally. These boards should contain the following information:
1. Plans: floor plan and section of the LIGA exhibition space containing the proposal (free scale).
2. Visualizations, diagrams, sketches, collages, or any other free medium representations needed to properly convey
the ideas and concepts for the project.
3. A descriptive text, no longer than 250 words, about the installation. The text must describe how the proposal
relates to the entrant’s viewpoint on architecture and their current body of work.
It is recommended that the first board contains a single image which conveys and represents the proposal graphically. The registration code must also be included on each board. Any proposal that does not meet the requirement
of anonymity Will be automatically eliminated.
Any additional material or different formats will not be accepted. Only the entries sent through the system and within the established time frame will be examined.
The official language of the competition is Spanish. Entries in English will be accepted from international teams or
participants from countries with different official languages (Brazil, Haiti, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Guyana, French
Guyana, Belize, Surinam, etc.) In order to facilitate the work of the jury, we will be unable to accept entries in Portuguese or any other language.
Intellectual property rights:
The proposals submitted must be kept confidential by the contestants until the completion of the competition and
selection process. The contestants will preserve the intellectual property rights of the work. The exhibition and
publishing rights for the submitted works will be shared with LIGA and Arquine.
2.2. Submission deadline:
All proposals must be in the system before 23:59 (Mexico City time) on the July 13, 2015.
Any proposals which are sent in after this deadline or whose reference number does not match a payment registered in PayPal, MercadoPago or in our account, will not be accepted. (See Registration).
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2.3. General calendar:
Competition launch: March 2015.
Early registration period: March 30 to April 19, 2015 – $60 USD.
Late registration: April 20 to July 6, 2015 – $80 USD.
Submission deadline: before 23:59 on July 13, 2015 (Mexico City time).
Winner is announced: August 10, 2015
Winning proposal is presented at LIGA: November 2015 (the exact date will be agreed upon together with the
winning architect or team).
3. PRIZES AND JURY:
3.1. Jury:
The evaluation of proposals will take place in two stages. The first stage will be carried out virtually, where five proposals will be selected as finalists. In the second stage the jury will meet in Mexico City to assess the finalists and
select the competition winner.
1st STAGE OF SELECTION – FINALISTS
1. Jonathan Olivares (Industrial designer, EUA)
2. Frida Escobedo (Architect, MEX)
3. Marcelo Faiden (Architect Adamo Faiden, ARG)
4. Iñaki Bonillas (Artist, MEX)
5. Marcelo Gualano (Architect Gualano + Gualano, URU)
6. Andrés Jaque (Architect, Office for Political Innovation, ESP)
7. Miguel Mesa (Editor, COL)
8. Alvaro Puntoni (Architect, BRA)
9. Mauricio Pezo (Architect, Pezo von Ellrichshausen, CHI)
10. Florencia Rodríguez (PLOT Magazine, ARG).
2nd STAGE OF SELECTION – WINNER DEFINITION
The jury for this stage of evaluation will meet in Mexico City, its composed by:
1. Isaac Broid (Architect, MEX)
2. Tatiana Bilbao (Architect, MEX)
3. Mauricio Rocha (Architect, MEX)
Notes:
The LIGA team will serve as an advisor during the final review but will not have a say in the final decision.
The budget is only for production and assembly of the piece, there are no honorary fees for design.
The jury may change without previous notice.
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3.2. Prizes:
1st PLACE
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The winning architect or team will be invited to mount their installation in LIGA’s exhibition space.
A $2,500.00 USD budget for the construction and mounting of the installation (the normal amount for all LIGA
exhibits).
Round trip to Mexico City.
Seven nights of accommodation in Mexico City for one person.
LIGA will organize a lecture for the winning architect at an iconic Mexico City location.
LIGA will organize a cocktail event for the opening and presentation of the installation.
LIGA will print 1,000 copies of the poster-brochure designed by the winning contestant and explaining their
work.
LIGA will publish the winning proposal through local and international media outlets.
LIGA will publish the winning proposal on their web page and media partner prints (Arquine ad ArchDaily).
4. REGISTRATION:
Registration + fee:
Only those proposals which have completed the registration process will be examined. The registration fee will be
$60 USD during the early registration period and $80 USD for late registration (or the equivalent in the local currency). The fee is for each team, not for each participant.
Once the payment has been made, the entrant must send an e-mail with the receipt for the deposit to [email protected], this email should include the information mentioned below. An automatic email will be
sent with a registration code that will be used to create a user name and password that allows you to enter the
system where you can download the complete rules, including the architectural plans of the space and the kit for
the participants.
Information required in the e-mail:
• Team leader(s):
• Team members:
• Contact information:
• E-mail:
• Phone:
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Payment Methods:
The payment can be made true the following:
• Via PayPal or MercadoPago providing a credit or debit card (see procedure in the LIGA web page).
• Payment may also be made through bank transfer.
Account information
Bank:
Account name:
CLABE:
Branch:
Account number:
Swift Code:
Adress: BANAMEX
LIGARQ DF AC
002180700044650498
7000
4465049
BNMXMXMM
Av. Insurgentes Sur 368, Col. Roma Sur Del. Cuauhtémoc.
Note: We understand that for many entrants, the entry fee can be significant. However, we ask for your understanding and support for LIGA, a non-profit organization. By participating in this competition, you are supporting an
initiative which promotes emerging Latin American architecture.
5. Q & A:
Please direct your questions to the following e-mail address:
[email protected]
Specific questions will be answered individually until June 10. If an issue arises which would be of interest to all participants, it will be addressed and made available through a section on LIGA’s web page. We recommend checking
the web page regularly for any possible updates.
FINAL NOTE:
LIGA reserves the right to make changes without previous notice.
It is the participant’s responsibility to verify contest website for any updates or notices.
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