About

From the heart
It's a start, a work of art
To revolutionize make a change nothing's strange
People, people we are the same
No we're not the same
'Cause we don't know the game
What we need is awareness, we can't get careless
You say what is this?
My beloved lets get down to business
Mental self defensive fitness
Don't rush the show
You gotta go for what you know
Make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be

Chuck D, Public Enemy – Fight the Power, 1990

We live in a world where the political landscape is becoming more fragmented, and this leads to an increased polarization. The news depicts a rather dramatic worldview characterized by breaches of values that were previously taken for granted. Headlines are often dominated by themes such as economic downturns, war, the climate crisis, and political scandals. These are topics that divide us, and when discussed in closed echo chambers, public debate becomes more intense. The heightened level of conflict threatens both freedom of expression and human rights. Pandemics, civil disobedience, climate change, and war contribute to the fact that we are living in a state of perpetual exemption, and we are forced to take sides on every issue. Meanwhile, inequalities and class divides grow. Democratic dialogue becomes very challenging when power balances are shifting, and uncertainty reigns.

For this year's Oslo Negativ, we want to see photographic projects that shed light on ruptures with the past and the values we may have taken for granted. We want stories about minds closing and doors opening, about undercurrents setting the agenda, about solidarity and skepticism, about subcultures and popular movements, about injustice and rebellion, about underground and mainstream, about power and powerlessness, about inequalities and brotherhood. We want to see projects that problematize what is difficult but also attempt to look at the opportunities that exist in this time of upheaval.

What winners receive

The winning submission will receive a cash prize of 15.000 NOK and will be offered a place in the collection of Preus Museum. The winner will also be given the opportunity to have a solo exhibition at Oslo Negativ Photo Festival 2025. Preus Museum covers the production costs of the solo exhibition at Oslo Negativ Photo Festival 2025 with a price cap set to 10.000 NOK. Preus Museum will curate the solo exhibition at Oslo Negativ Photo Festival 2025 in dialogue with the winner.

The winner will be announced on October 20. 2024

About Preus Museum

Preus Museum is the national museum of photography in Norway and is a part of the board for Oslo Negativ Photo Festival which is Norway’s largest meeting point for people interested in photography. The museum and the festival aim to be inclusive and open to everyone. The organization of the festival is an active effort for Preus Museum to take a coordinating role within the photography field and the documentary environment in Norway. Showcasing photography in all its forms, and contributing to an arena where national and international artists and actors can come together in a concerted effort, is particularly important for the development of the museum.

How to enter

Who can submit: Open to all artists, professional or amateur, national, or international. Artists may participate on an individual basis or as a collective.

What can be submitted: All projects that are lens based are eligible (photography, video, installation, mixed media)

Judging criteria

The images are selected by a jury of experts who look for projects that have an interesting relation to the theme of the open call and show distinct visual qualities. The jury is free to choose the images to be displayed and the most interesting contributions will be awarded.