To live is to be toxic! Every breath releases CO₂, every metabolic process leaves behind waste, and even oxygen—essential to us now—was once a lethal poison that reshaped life on Earth. Toxicity is not an exception; it is a fundamental force in nature and survival. Plants use poison to defend themselves, animals secrete venom to kill or warn, and humans navigate toxicity in their relationships, media, and politics. From the chemicals in our bodies to the information we consume, toxicity is inescapable. But is it always destructive? Or can it be a strategy for endurance, protection, and adaptation?
„I am Toxic!“ explores the many faces of toxicity—natural, social, informational, and political. We invite artists to submit works that examine toxicity as both a threat and a tool for survival. From poisonous plants to media manipulation, from environmental pollution to the pressure of toxic social norms, the exhibition will present toxicity as a paradox—dangerous yet necessary, harmful yet transformative.
As the world becomes more unstable, polluted, and chaotic, one question remains: are only toxic creatures built to survive?
Exhibition details:
📍 Location: Sculpture Garden, Kurzbauergasse 9, 1020 Vienna 📅 Exhibition Dates: mid May 2025 – June 2025
The show will take place in a garden, emphasizing interaction with the environment. Artists should consider how their works engage with the outdoor space and withstand unpredictable conditions such as high humidity and harsh weatherwhile remaining visible and intact.
There will be two closed exhibition areas, but the entire garden serves as a space for artistic dialogue. We encourage site-specific works that respond to the surroundings, embracing themes of resilience, adaptation, and transformation. We welcome sculptures, installations, and mixed-media works that reflect on toxicity’s role in shaping ecosystems, societies, and human behavior. The medium is free to choose, and we are open to performance and live acts at the opening. Participation is open for everybody! All toxics are welcome!
Submissions should be send as a PDF file (max. 10 MB) to i.am.toxic.show@gmail.com
• written proposal (approx. 1 A4 page)
• image of the art works, sketches
• brief curriculum vitae (max. 1 A4 page).
• portfolio (max. 10MB)
The name of the file needs to include the artists’s name. E.g. Surname_Toxic.
Submission deadline: 11.04.2025 11:00 a.m.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask via email: i.am.toxic.show@gmail.com