CALL FOR ENTRIES: VOLTURNO MORANI INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL AWARD 2027 – 4th Edition

Event details

Start: 30/04/2026

End: 30/11/2026

Location: International Gallery of Art Area Contesa, Via Margutta 90 Rome

 

AWARD RATIONALE

Following the success of the award held during the 2025 Jubilee Year at the Church of the Artists in Rome, concurrently with Rome Art Week, I have decided to present a new edition of the MORANI PRIZE. The decision to convene a new event stems from the intent to provide a powerful impetus to the Spatial Neoconstructivist Movement,  following the opening of the CASA BLU DI VOLTURNO MORANI gallery in November 2024. With this edition, the goal is to establish the AWARD as a BIENNIAL event to foster a deeper philosophical and artistic exploration of the movement’s identity, which is increasingly characterized as a multidisciplinary avant-garde intersecting natural sciences—specifically physics and cosmology—with humanist sciences such as sapiential philosophy and metaphysics.

In the 2025 call for entries, we explored the metaphysical and cosmological concept of the “fifth dimension,” revisiting the beginning of Maestro Volturno Morani’s artistic trajectory.

In this edition, however, we aim to examine the final phase of his artistic journey, which was characterized by iconography. “Icons in the Cosmos” was one of his last solo exhibitions, held at the beginning of this century. Volturno Morani’s approach was designated as “Neo-iconography” by the Orthodox fathers consulted.

The theme of this call for entries will therefore be: Portraits in the iconographic style of Spatial Neoconstructivism.

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES – Volturno Morani International Biennial Award 2027

SPATIAL NEOCONSTRUCTIVISM Academy

Building on the trajectory established in 2025, CBVM (Casa Blu Volturno Morani) continues its scouting efforts among contemporary painters to foster a SCHOOL OF SPATIAL NEOCONSTRUCTIVIST  ARTISTS for this century, advancing the research initiated by Volturno Morani in the late 20th century.

Advancements in quantum physics, cosmic exploration, and the spiritual awakening of humanity necessitate the emergence of a secular artistic, philosophical, scientific, and theological apostolate to investigate the nexus between universe, spirit, creation, and humanity.

Consequently, the award invites participants to draw inspiration from the chromatic, iconographic, symbolic, and geometric principles of Spatial Neoconstructivism.

 

PROPOSED THEME: PORTRAITS WITHIN A SPATIAL NEOCONSTRUCTIVIST FRAMEWORK

Maestro Volturno Morani painted portraits of individuals he selected or who were commissioned, subsequently assigning titles to the works consisting of names or roles found in the Holy Scriptures.

By way of example: Moses, Simon Peter, The Fisherman of Galilee, Elijah, The Twelve Apostles, Our Lady of the Arch, The Messiah,  etc.

Many of these works are accessible for study in Volturno Morani’s monograph, THE FOURTH DIMENSION OF THE SOUL,  published by ArteStampa, available online or orderable through CBVM.

Below are some of the primary examples attached:

simon-pietro-artwork-international-volturno-morani-prize-2027       The artwork "Il Pescatore della Galilea" (The Fisherman of Galilee) by master Volturno Morani, an example of contemporary iconography

I Dodici" (The Twelve), reproduction of the unfinished artwork exhibited at the Casa Blu Volturno Morani         Neoconstructivist spatialist portrait titled "Mosè" (Moses), featured in the monograph The Fourth Dimension of the Soul

 

 Artists are invited to select one of the seven subjects listed below and execute their portrait within a Spatial Neoconstructivist framework. The depicted subject must then be assigned a Biblical name.

The subjects are:

  1. Kazimir Malevich (RUS)  – Painter and prominent exponent of early 20th-century Russian Constructivism, from which Spatial Neoconstructivismderived its geometric language. A tribute to the artistic movement that inspired Spatial Neoconstructivism.
  2. Jonathan Roumie (USA)  – Actor who portrayed Jesus in the successful series THE CHOSEN,  produced by the COME AND SEE FOUNDATION. A tribute to cinema for providing a new countenance to Christ, a subject Volturno Morani repeatedly depicted in his Icons.
  3. Mary of Garabandal  – Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who appeared between 1961 and 1965 to four children in San Sebastián de Garabandal, Cantabria, Spain. These apparitions remain under study by the Catholic Church. The apparitions concluded in the same year Spatial Neoconstructivism  was founded. A tribute to the Marian Cult, to which Volturno Morani was deeply devoted.
  4. Federico Faggin (ITA)  – Italian scientist and leading expert in quantum physics, whose discoveries align with and substantiate the visions depicted on Volturno Morani’s canvases in the last century. A tribute to science and its rediscovered relationship with spirituality.
  5. Rahma Riad (IRQ)  – Iraqi singer; a tribute to Middle Eastern beauty and talent, which figures prominently in the Scriptures through individuals such as Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who originated from what is modern-day Iraq.
  6. Charlie Kirk (USA) – American activist, killed during a public engagement in 2025. A few weeks prior to his passing, when asked how he wished to be remembered, he replied: “For the courage of my faith.” A tribute to Faith.
  7. Nelson Mandela (ZAF)  – Civil rights activist and President of South Africa. A symbol of the struggle for liberty. A mystical encounter links Flavio Morani to this pivotal figure in human history. A tribute to the courage of standing for one’s ideals.

Photographs of each subject are available in the gallery at the bottom of the page.

 

 

PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Participation in the selection process is free of charge.

a) The award is open to all  painters, regardless of nationality, age, race, or religious affiliation. Each artist may participate by submitting one work based on the proposed theme, executed in the medium they deem most appropriate (oil, tempera, acrylic, mixed media, etc.). The submitted work must be created specifically for this call (mandatory for eligibility) during the 2026/2027 period, and must adhere to the following dimensions:

  • Width:  minimum 60 cm – maximum 100 cm

  • Height:  minimum 80 cm – maximum 100 cm

b) No  later thanNovember 30, 2026,  participating artists must submit a high-resolution photograph of the aforementioned work, accompanied by a Word or PDF file containing:

  • Title of the work, year of execution, medium, actual dimensions, and commercial value of the piece;

  • Rationale for the chosen subject and commentary on the work;

  • Artist biography;

  • Curriculum vitae of artistic activity.

All documentation must be sent to the following email address:

info@volturnomorani.it

c) To participate, artists must:

Send an email to info@volturnomorani.it  declaring their intent to participate and their chosen subject (for social media communications leading up to the event). From the total submissions, the Jury will select 20 (twenty) proposals  at its sole discretion; artists will be notified via email by December 15, 2026. Selected works—properly packaged and shipped at the sender’s risk—must arrive equipped with hanging hardware at the EXHIBITION VENUE address: Galleria Internazionale Area Contesa, Via Margutta 90, Rome, no later than January 25, 2027. A catalog featuring images of all participating works will be produced.

d) Final Phase for the 20 Selected Artists

Selected works are invited to participate in an exhibition held in the evocative PICASSO Room  of the Galleria Internazionale Area Contesa in Rome from January 29, 2027, to February 7, 2027. Inauguration: January 29, 2027 – Award Ceremony: Friday, February 5, 2027. Participation in the final phase requires a fee of €140,  to be paid to CBVM as instructed. This contribution includes:

  • Exhibition for nine (9) business days;

  • Installation of the works;

  • Gallery presentation;

  • One (1) Vernissage and one (1) Finissage;

  • Critical commentary by the Artistic Director;

  • Critical commentary by Prince Alfio Borghese (Art Critic, Curator, Author, and Journalist);

  • Critical commentary by International Maestro of stratigraphic spatula technique Mario Salvo (Artist and Art Critic);

  • Presence of a Videomaker (non-professional);

  • Catering service for the cocktail reception;

  • Certificate of participation issued by the Gallery.

 

AWARDS

For the winning work, a €2,000 purchase prize  is provided, whereby the piece will be acquired for a value of €2,000 by Casa Blu di Volturno Morani. The presentation of the award will take place during a formal ceremony within the context of the exhibition, to be held on February 5, 2027.

The winning work will be displayed at the Morani Gallery in San Prospero sulla Secchia (MO) in the SALONE DEL COSMO.

 
Volturno Morani International Biennial Award 2027

For information, please email:

info@volturnomorani.it

or contact our social media pages:

Fb: Casa Blu di Volturno Morani

Instagram: Casa Blu di Volturno Morani 

 

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