Myths encapsulate human experience, and transfer multi-layered messages through symbols, enigmas, and often non-linear or even contradictory narratives. Once all elements are added up myths make sense, and their wisdom leads to a better understanding of the rules of existence.
A similar structure can be found in other cultural expressions of the laws ruling human life such as fairy tales, Tarot cards or Dada and Surrealist movements rooted in the scientific discoveries of early 20th century. It is by no accident that myths labeled the theories of the pioneering explorers of the unconscious and offered an explanation for perpetual phenomena dominating the human psyche.
Myths, fairy tales, Tarot cards, modern art movements have something more in common: they are fragments of human experience, dreams and thoughts, and outline the memory of what is lost or forgotten over the course of time.
Throughout their history, jewelry, textile, ceramics and other applied art disciplines have been inspired by myths, and have added meaning to the myths’ message: Hercules’ knot or Helen’s dress or Penelope’s weaving are among the most popular Greek myths.
The object and its meaning is also a message to decipher and a parallel plot. Myths of other people, from Mesopotamia to China and to native America, also manifest similar beliefs and celebrate an interconnected universe.
What about us nowadays? What are the myths of our times reflecting our human heritage or opposing it and wishing its annihilation?
Should our work be understood in the context of greed, exploitation, envy, power games, destruction and inflated egos or in the context of justice, solidarity, love, peace, unity, truth?
SMCK Magazine invites artists to embrace the opportunity to make a strong visual statement and to compose their own myth or interpretation of a myth through objects and/or compositions, using collage, photomontage, photography, drawing, assemblage, etc. The project ambitions to shape a more holistic style of presenting applied art, and to bridge the gap between the art and craft disciplines.
All selected images will be featured (in a catalogue published / on a full page) in SMCK Magazine issue #13 titled MYTHOLOGY, coming out in late July / early August 2026.
The images will be printed and exhibited at the twin show FRAGMENTS at Aygo Avgo Art Space in Leonidio, Greece, on 22+23 August 2026.
Submit your (new or existing) composition – photography, collage, photomontage, drawing, assemblage, mixed-media, etc. – no later than 10 July. The image file must be in vertical format. Download the canvas size and technical details >> here.
Send your image, a short statement and caption (work title, year, material technique, model, photographer), and your personal information (name, address, website, instagram and social media links) via email to magazine@smck.org, or via WeTransfer if the file size is larger than 15 MB.
There is no application fee.
Once selected for the catalogue/SMCK Magazine and the exhibition, the artist’s participation fee is 120,00 EUR.
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THE HERMIT
After the same name Tarot card. Jewelry by Loukia Richards. Model: Christoph Ziegler. Photo by Loukia Richards.
VASILISA THE BEAUTIFUL
After the same name Russian fairy tale. Puppets and jewelry by Loukia Richards. Design and photo by Christoph Ziegler.
ERYSICHTHON
After Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Jewelry by Loukia Richards. Design and photo by Christoph Ziegler.
FEMALE LINE
Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex demolished many myths about female sexuality. Jewelry pieces by Loukia Richards. Design and photo by Christoph Ziegler.
THE STORY OF AOYAGI
After Lefkadios Hearn’s collection of Japanese myths from Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. Jewelry, design and photo by Christoph Ziegler.
PHAEDRA SITTING IN THE SHADOW OF HER SISTER ARIADNE
After the Greek myth of Theseus. Jewelry by Loukia Richards. Design and photo by Christoph Ziegler.