Duality: A Collaborative Effort

Artshow & Salon: December 19th , 2026

Featuring art by: Louise Chow, Jonathan Dawes, Kay Slater, and perhaps you! Submit your piece today!

Open call for submissions deadline: October 15th, 5PM

Open Call (see below). Now accepting applications.

When there is an encounter between one and another, there erupts a myriad of potentials – the potential for conflict, play, idea exchanges, recognition, rejection, and more. The very idea of differentiation involves duality, being able to conceive a whole into two parts, and continuing to split from there, echoing the very way our cells multiply and develop. To exist requires multiplicities. Yet categorization into binaries, and polarities are at the heart of so many of our social and political struggles.

Within all these tensions is the possibility of collaboration and learning, a constant dynamic where multiples come together to become one then split again into even more possibilities. How do we respond to such wonderful and confusing post-modern fragmentation? Rather than being simply oppositional, duality also resonates in culture as creative elemental forces: Time and space, movement and stasis, wave and particle, spirit and body.

To explore the theme of Duality, for this Papercut Arcade event we look to each other as collaborators, and teachers. We ask that you find at least one creative partner, to develop ideas and create an art piece together. Find people you want to learn from, whether it be a specific concrete skill or simply getting to closely witness another’s artistic process.

Although some of us have collaborated on projects before for other events, this is our first salon that will feature only collaborative works. The theme that will run through all of our works is Duality.

This salon/art show will feature an open call to artists* and creators. Non-collective members are invited to submit one project for consideration (in progress or final art, writing or performance).

How to apply:

Apply here: DUALITY Collaborative project application form

Please have information about who you will be collaborating with ready, and send in one application per team.

Please submit your project concepts and ideas for consideration by October 15th. Incomplete or not yet started work is welcome! Send some point form ideas, a sketch, or your goals for the project. Share why it fits with the theme of “duality”.

Note: Project concepts not submitted and approved by the curatorial team will not be accepted for exhibition, even if they are completed works. Late submissions will not be accepted.

• Works on paper must be framed and all 2D work should be ready to hang (unless it is a booklet, game, or reading material).
• For interactive submissions requiring technology, artists and creators will be responsible for acquiring hardware and setting up their projects for the salon.
• Projects that incorporate food items (perishable or non-perishable) will need to be contained, have a clear list of ingredients for allergy information and cleaned up sustainably by the artist at the conclusion of the salon.

Note: The Papercut Arcade defines *artist as a person who practices any of the various creative arts, such as a sculptor, photographer, painter, novelist, poet, or filmmaker. The keyword is practice; therefore, if you make art or produce work with the intent of participating in a The Papercut Arcade challenge or exhibition, you ARE an artist.

The Papercut Arcade is an organization that values diversity and the ongoing work of marginalized people and allies challenging oppression. Work that contradicts these values will not be accepted.  Our host venue, grunt gallery, also supports land back and a free Palestine. Therefore, any works promoting or funded by Israel, or presenting anti-Indigenous perspectives, will not be considered for this exhibition.

Event Information

This event is free and open to the public. Whether you’re a longtime fan of interactive art forms, keen on multidisciplinary collaboration, or simply interested in unusual forms of art and storytelling, we welcome you to spend some time with us.

Masks are welcome, but not mandatory (nor enforced). Work may include a range of themes, subjects, and levels of interactivity; content information will be provided where appropriate.

Interested in joining the collective? Members will be present throughout the event and are happy to talk about our activities, future projects, and how to get involved.