Open call for Collaborators LAB 4 Weird Futures

About the Open Call

Medialab Matadero opens a call for collaborators to participate in 5 interdisciplinary working groups of the Collaborative Prototyping Lab residency, taking place from November 12 - 26, 2025. The 20 selected participants will join the collaborative development of 5 prototypes alongside their promoters and mentors Alex Quicho, Solveig Qu Suess, Joel Blanco, and Medialab’s curator Bani Brusadin. Prototyping at Medialab involves testing ideas through collaborative work in an intensive two-week residency. The goal is to develop collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with support and advice from international mentors, Medialab’s curator, and other experts. Open source standards and tools will be used where possible, and outcomes will be available under Creative Commons licenses. The resulting prototypes will be presented publicly at the OpenLAB Weird Futures festival, November 27 - 29, 2025. The topic, “Weird Futures,” invites exploration of material and symbolic vectors that redesign contemporary society through technological narratives, extreme cases, and radical alternatives. Five selected proposals include projects by Gaara collective (Spain), Mac Andre Arboleda (Philippines), Mark Cinkevich (Belarus / Poland), Noura Tafeche (Italy), and Pablo Somonte Ruano (Mexico / Germany).

What is Offered

Medialab Matadero pays for travel and accommodation for up to 10 participants who do not reside in the Community of Madrid. The organization will provide meals for all participants during the lab, Monday to Friday, between November 12 and 26. Participants will also receive workspace, facilities, support, and advice from international mentors and Medialab’s curator.

Requirements

Applicants must be over the age of 18, regardless of origin or residence. The call seeks creators and students interested in exploring the impact of technology in contemporary society. Profiles linked to contemporary art and design research (both emerging and established), visual culture, new visualities, architecture, urbanism, writing, journalism, social studies, activism, digital media, environmental sciences, engineering, materials science, economics, and any other relevant field are encouraged. All participants must have a sufficient level of English to interact with their working group and mentors. In-person attendance for all sessions is mandatory; remote participation is not possible.

How to Apply

Please fill this form: https://form.jotform.com/222611624606348. Instructions are available in the terms and conditions of the call for applications.