The 4th Pluri-Identitats Visual Arts Contest is an initiative by the Office of the UA Vice President for Culture, Sports and Extracurricular Activities in partnership with the Office of the UA Vice President for Equality, Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Here, art becomes a tool to combat discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes and stigma, a vehicle for social transformation.
In a society dominated by individualism and competition, where so many believe that might is right, this exhibition shows that respect, empathy or solidarity can help us build a stronger society, more resilient and democratic, in which nobody is left behind.
As a major platform for contemporary artists wishing to explore the multiple facets of identity, the contest has attracted a high number of excellent submissions. These projects are concerned with gender identity, sexual diversity and affective-sexual orientation, but also with multiculturalism, digital identity or the differently abled, as a meeting point where everyone is on an equal footing. Pluri-identitats encourages minorities to make their voices heard, promoting inclusion and diversity, respect and freedom.
This year’s contest has received a total of 85 entries from Spanish and foreign artists. The 16 works selected by the jury provide a showcase of conceptual approaches and artistic techniques: painting, sculpture, engraving, photography, video, installation or digital art, in addition to new art forms that subvert traditional narratives. The artists included in the exhibition are Andrea Allgayer, María Bernal, Alba Casas, Oihana Cordero, Carolina Diego, Drassana (Ester Gisbert and Alfonso M. Cuadrado), Rebeka Elizegi, Federico Gruppalli, Marina Martínez Martínez, Martín Morales, Juan F. Navarro, Pascual+Vincent (Pascual Martínez and Vicente Sáez), Lydia Plaza, Andrés Rivas Rodís, Laura Salas and Noelia Soto Escalante.
Pluri-identitats invites us to look at the world through the eyes of these artists, to challenge stereotypes, discover different realities and engage in open and inclusive dialogue. In an ever-changing world, the University of Alicante strengthens its commitment to building a more compassionate and equitable society – a fairer society everyone can take part in and in which every voice matters.