Current Open Call

30.03.22–07.07.22 (11.59 p.m.)

The XR_Unites OPEN CALL #3 addresses interdisciplinary teams from Berlin’s independent art & culture scene and creative industries, that work or would like to work with XR technologies: augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.

We are searching for a strong – with pleasure also unusual and radical – concept to be realized from September 2022 to May 2023 in close collaboration between culture and computer science. On the part of XR_Unites, two developers and two student assistants are involved in the agile XR development and digital media production. XR_Unites also provides a production lab, the necessary software, and a contingent of hardware and work material. The XR_Unites expert board provides feedback on the implementation. The goal is an interactive application that can be used by several users simultaneously. At the end of the collaborative development there will be a public presentation.

Thematically, there is more freedom compared to the last call – we see potential in the following areas, for example:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Reflection of social challenges (activism)
  • Experimental interfaces between physical and virtual space
  • End of the Anthropocene
  • Interactive 3D sound/music

Prior XR knowledge is desirable, but not a requirement.

Preliminary schedule

Sept. – Oct. 22Joint concept phase
Definition of required digital content
Fixing the schedule
Nov. 22 – May 23Collaborative agile development
Consultation of the expert board
Digital media production
May/June 23Public presentation

The Jury

Leonid Barsht
XR Senior Developer of XR_Unites with several years of experience in the development of artistic XR applications.

Pablo Dornhege
Head of Im/material Theatre Spaces; project manager and representative for digitality and new technologies at the Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft e.V. (German Theatre Technology Association).

Regina Frieß
Professor of Media Informatics at HTW Berlin with specialization a.o. in media reception, conception for interactive media environments, and interactive storytelling.

Oliver Proske
Managing Director of Nico and the Navigators, board member of the Association of Scenographers and founder of the AG Digitaler Raum (Digital Space Working Group).

Dagmar Schürrer
Media artist, expert for XR art and digital media production.

Peggy Schoenegge
XR curator, curator and project manager of the platform peer to space and board member of Medienkunst e.V.

Most of the jury members are part of the expert board!

Application criteria

  • Interdisciplinary team of at least three people, at least two of them with their main place of residence in Berlin
  • Conceptual degree of innovation combined with feasibility
  • The result is an interactive XR application for several users, which will be presented to a larger audience at the end
  • In case of winning the OPEN CALL obligatory start of the collaboration between 05. and 12.09.2022
  • Application in German or English

Application structure

The application documents should include the following files:

  • A joint letter of motivation of max. 3.000 characters (incl. spaces).
  • The concept of max. 10.000 characters (incl. spaces) with at least one visualization (e.g. sketch, model) or a short explanatory video (max. 10 min)
  • Outline of required work packages and responsibilities (who does what in the team?) of max. 3000 characters (incl. spaces)
  • Per team member a short CV with picture as text of max. 500 characters each (incl. spaces)
  • Per team member a portfolio of previous relevant work

Further information about the application

  • The OPEN CALL #3 will be accompanied by the XR Art & Networking Event #3 on 23.06.22 at Schloss Köpenick.
  • Applications will only be accepted via email to xru@htw-berlin.de.
  • The application deadline is July 07, 2022 at 11.59 p.m.
  • The decision will be made in July/August 2022, the selected team will be notified by email.