Theme for Guest Room

Guest Room aims to inspire collaboration and creative exchange. In this edition, Katy Hundertmark, Managing Editor of Foam Magazine as well as Curator at Foam Museum, partners with Valeria Posada-Villada, Photography Curator at Wereldmuseum Amsterdam - a museum dedicated to world cultures.

Together, they introduce the theme for your submissions:

The Ties That Bind

"Can photography help us feel closer to one another?

We’re living in a time of deep division – where differences in values, politics, and worldviews are pulling people apart. In moments like this, how can we create space for genuine connection, especially between opposing perspectives?

Lately, we’ve been drawn to images that suggest reconciliation, closeness, and curiosity about others. I’m interested in photographs that don’t shy away from tension, but instead lean into it – revealing the magnetic pull we can feel in human encounters.

We invite you to share works that explore this pull – images that express attraction, engagement, or understanding between people. Photographs that remind us of our shared humanity and offer moments of connection, even across divides.

“Once in a while, we should look into each other’s eyes. Otherwise, we might feel lost. I’m so glad that you are here.” — from “the eyes, the ears” by Rinko Kawauchi"

Why submit to Guest Room?

• Be discovered by an expert in contemporary art and photography
• Get published in an online showcase on Der Greif alongside emerging artists from all over the world
• Submit for free or pay a voluntary donation of 10€
• Please note: Images which have been selected for a previous Der Greif opportunity are not eligible for re-submission. We want to support the broadest range of photographers possible and therefore encourage you to submit work that has not yet been selected by our past Guest Curators. Any images which do not comply with these terms will be removed from the selection process.

Voluntary donation

Der Greif is a registered non-profit. In these challenging economic times – especially for arts organizations and artists – we are convinced to provide a vital platform for our community. If you're in the position to support this mission, we value your support.

Since launching Guest Room in January 2015, we've invited a broad range of professionals (gallerists, editors, curators) to create opportunities for artists to share their work and get it in front of an international network they might not have access to otherwise. We are more commited than ever to continue this work.

We suggest a voluntary 10€ donation to help us sustain these efforts. If you'd like to support us further, we also accept regular donations via our Raisely page.

If you're unable to contribute financially, please email voucher-guestroom@dergreif.org to receive a 50% or 100% discount code. Your artistic and financial contributions enable our continued growth.

Foam

Foam is an internationally renowned photography museum and platform based in Amsterdam. Driven by the belief that photography is a powerful tool for connection and dialogue, Foam invites diverse perspectives and encourages everyone to engage with the visual language of our time. Rooted in the mission to make photography accessible to all, Foam serves as a space for reflection, exploration, and exchange. Through a dynamic programme of exhibitions, publications, talks, and educational initiatives, Foam provides a stage for exceptional photography that informs, challenges, and inspires.

With a critical and inclusive approach, Foam actively questions the role of photography in contemporary culture. Its activities span across genres – ranging from documentary and fashion to conceptual and historical work – sparking conversations that resonate globally. Published twice a year, Foam Magazine extends this mission beyond the museum walls. Each themed issue explores urgent topics through the lens of photography, offering a platform for emerging and established voices alike. Together, Foam and Foam Magazine shape a vital, evolving conversation around photography and the world it reflects.

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam is a cultural institution dedicated to exploring the myriad ways people worldwide give meaning to life. With a vast collection exceeding half a million objects and an equal number of photographs, the museum offers profound insights into global cultures and histories. Through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and public initiatives, Wereldmuseum Amsterdam fosters dialogue on topics such as identity, heritage, and shared humanity. As part of the Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, it collaborates with sister institutions to challenge prevailing narratives and amplify diverse voices, ensuring that cultural exchange and mutual understanding remain central to its mission.​

About Der Greif Guest Room

Guest Room is a monthly online exhibition with open submissions curated in real-time by personalities from the international photography scene. Der Greif is an award-winning organization for contemporary photography. It is print-publication, online-publication, curatorial team and joint project all at once. Der Greif connects the digital and the analogue, exploring and expanding the borders and limits of image-distribution and -reception in the digital era.