INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL SCULPTURE COMPETITION – JAPAN

UBE Biennale (International Sculpture Competition) is the nation’s first, large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibition launched in 1961 at the initiative of citizens in search for an improved post-war cityscape and richness of mind. Since its inception, the project played a significant role as the frontier of “urban revitalization through art.” For the 29th exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the event and the centenary 100th anniversary of Ube as the city, 15 full scale works and 40 models of the winning works will be on display, followed by the permanent installation of winning works of Grand Prize, Ube Citizens Prize, and other prizes in public spaces across the city.

Application Period: From 9am on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 to 6pm on Monday, August 16, 2021
Carrying- in of models and drawings: From Saturday, August 28, 2021 to Monday, August 30, 2021
Preliminary Screening (Screening of work models): Saturday, September 4, 2021
Secondary Screening (Screening of sculptures): Saturday, October 1, 2021.

Work Specifications
A) Entries must be original works, which have not been exhibited to the public elsewhere.
B) Maximum size of the actual work is 900cm (Total dimension of height +width +depth, including pedestal should be less than 900cm). Maximum weight of the actual work is 10-ton. The actual work must be able to be transported with a 10ton truck.
C) The sculpture should take into consideration the safety of the viewers. The materials and the structure must be suitable for an outdoor environment, be able to withstand wind pressure and earthquakes and be safe to touch. Works that need frequent repairs or maintenance are not desirable.
D) The work should not infringe upon the rights of third parties.
E) Works that do not meet the above terms will not be presented to the judges.

Awards

Ube Industries, Ltd. Prize (Grand Prize) ¥ 4,000,000 (Sculpture Purchase and Model or Drawing Purchase Prize)
Mainichi Newspapers Prize ¥ 1,000,000 (Model or Drawing Purchase Prize)
Yamaguchi Bank Prize ¥1,000,000
Ube Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prize ¥500,000
Shimane Yoshika Town Prize ¥200,000
Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum Prize ¥200,000
Iwami Art Museum Prize ¥200,000
Ube Citizens Prize (UBE Tokiwa Museum Prize) ¥2,000,000 (Sculpture Purchase and Model or Drawing Purchase Prize)
Yanagihara Yoshitatsu Prize ¥500,000 (Model or Drawing Purchase Prize and Independent Award Exhibition)

HOW TO APPLY:
(1) Payment (remittance) of Entry Fee and shipping fee.
If you do not wish the model to be returned, please pay the Entry Fee only. Fees: Entry Fee: 10,000 yen (for applicants living in Japan)
Entry from Students: Free
Entry from overseas: Free
(2) Online Application Please fill the entry form found at UBE Biennale Official Website (http://ubebiennale.com ). Upon the completion of the online entry, you will receive the “Entry Number” via email.
(3) Delivery of Work Models
The Preliminary Screening will be either made on the work models or photographs of the work models. Please deliver your work model to UBE Biennale Secretariat.

Items to be delivered: work models essential
Please submit your work model either by Method (A) or (B) below:
(A) Submission of work model: Approx. 1/10 model (aggregation of three dimensions must not exceed 90cm) of the full-scale work.
*Please make sure to indicate the Entry Number on the bottom of the model.
(B) Photos of work model: Printouts of three photographs (taken from front and two other sides of your choice) of the model, each printed on A3 paper. We accept both vertical and horizontal images.

Subsidy Payment
Applicants will be granted 1,200,000 yen as subsidy to cover the production cost. The amount will be paid in two installments before and after the production.

Before production, at the end of October, 2021 : 500,000yen.
After production, at the end of November, 2022 : 700,000yen.

For further information contact ubebiennale@city.ube.yamaguchi.jp or visit https://ubebiennale.com/en.