The Athens Digital Arts Festival (ADAF) is celebrating its 21st edition with the evocative theme "Simulacra," a deep exploration into the blending boundaries of reality and simulation in contemporary digital art. As one of Greece’s premier international digital art festivals, ADAF 2025 invites creators to engage with the philosophical and technological concept of simulacra—originally coined by theorist Jean Baudrillard—which interrogates the blurred line between authentic experiences and digital representations. The festival theme focuses on the hyperreality of today’s digital age, where copies and constructs often overshadow the original, leaving audiences to question the authenticity and impact of simulated worlds. This year, ADAF offers a thought-provoking platform for artists to showcase works that challenge perceptions, exploring how technology transforms our understanding of identity, culture, and nature in an era dominated by images, representations, and digital constructs.

ADAF "Simulacra" invites digital artists, scholars, and tech visionaries worldwide to submit their works across 12 dynamic categories, including Video Art, Animation, Installations, Performances, Music, AR/VR/XR, Web Art, Digital Image, Games, ADAF Kids, and more. The festival’s mission is to bridge the creative boundaries between art and technology, providing a unique space for experimental works that address the pervasive influence of virtuality and digital culture in our daily lives. The festival encourages submissions that delve into the paradoxes of hyperreality, where the digital and physical intertwine, reshaping our social interactions, self-image, and collective memory. Participants are called to push creative boundaries, producing visually stunning, immersive works that reflect the dynamic intersection of art and innovation. As ADAF fosters a collaborative dialogue on the future of digital art, it remains committed to promoting works that capture the imagination and challenge viewers to question the constructs of reality.

The ADAF 2025 "Simulacra" theme reflects the festival’s ongoing dedication to exploring the intersection of science, technology, and artistic expression. This year, the festival’s focus on simulated realities resonates with global conversations about the implications of digital replicas and the evolving role of artificial intelligence, virtual environments, and augmented spaces in contemporary art. ADAF not only provides a platform for artists to gain international exposure but also opens up discussions on the effects of digital replication on society’s view of truth and originality. By curating an array of groundbreaking and thought-provoking artworks, ADAF continues to set the stage as a pioneering event for digital arts, pushing forward the conversation on how technology reshapes artistic expression and the human experience.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to artists, scholars, creators, and tech enthusiasts worldwide.

Prize

Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work at ADAF 2025, gaining international exposure and contributing to discussions on the fusion of science, technology, and creativity in digital art.

Deadline: December 15, 2024

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