London's Barbican launches Into the Unknown print competition for Sci-Fi freaks

Opening in June 2017, major Barbican exhibition Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction is a genre-defining exploration of one of popular culture’s most celebrated realms encompassing literature, contemporary art, film, music, comic books and video games to present a new, global perspective on Science Fiction.

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

To celebrate, the Barbican has teamed up with contemporary illustration magazine Wrap to run a new print competition around original interpretations of Science Fiction. The five winning entries will be printed and sold as A3 art prints in the Barbican Shop.

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Just as the exhibition will explore different narratives within the vast arena of Science Fiction, so too can submitted prints. Responses may be literal, taking inspiration from ones favourite film, poster, character, soundtrack or comic, or explore a more abstract interpretation of the theme – looking at concepts such as space, reality, parallel universes, time travel and technology.

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Artworks may encompass lots of different references or be a celebration of one particular strand or topic. Entrants might consider what Science Fiction means to them, or explore current topics using the visual language associated with Science Fiction.

The five winning entrants will: have their artworks printed and sold at the Barbican Shop for the duration of the exhibition; receive a royalty fee of 10% of the RRP, per print sold; be invited to attend an afternoon with team members from Wrap and Barbican Centre, for talks and one-to-one portfolio sessions as well as a chance to fully explore the exhibition.

One overall winning print will be also be selected with the artist receiving Barbican membership for one year, two tickets to the Into The Unknown private view, a Science Fiction-themed goodie bag worth £100, plus £50 to spend at wrapmagazineshop.com.

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

Courtesy of Barbican, from a series of vintage postcards (1965-68) from the Moscow Design Museum, appearing at the exhibition

All entries must be received by 30th April 2017, judging will take place in early May and the five successful entrants will be informed by 12th May. The competition is open for any and all exciting, expressive and original approaches to the brief that show off skills, style and originality. Enter online today.

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