IPS 2026 – Bird in Space: On Essence, Transcendence, and the Future of Creation
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The fifth edition of the International Program in Scenography (IPS) will take place between August 24th – September 6th 2026, on the Siutghiol lakeshore in Constanta, Romania. This year’s theme, Bird in Space, is inspired by one of Constantin Brâncuși’s most emblematic works and marks 150 years since the artist’s birth.
source: https://blog.eternal3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bird-in-Space-Constantin-Brancusi-1.png
More than a reference to a specific sculpture, Bird in Space proposes a reflection on the essence of artistic creation: the transcendence of representation, the reduction to a fundamental gesture, and the transformation of matter into idea and movement. The title also recalls the historic trial Brâncuși brought against the United States exactly 100 years ago – a landmark case that redefined the legal and conceptual status of modern art.
In a contemporary context shaped by the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the ongoing redefinition of creative processes, IPS 2026 – Bird in Space becomes a framework for introspection and interdisciplinary research. The theme opens a dialogue between Brâncuși’s legacy and urgent questions about authorship, intention, and meaning in today’s artistic landscape.
Since its pilot edition in 2022, IPS has evolved as a site-specific platform for international artistic exchange. From IPS 2022 – Metamorphosis, inspired by Ovid’s poetic transformations, to IPS 2023 –TIME SHIFT: BEFORE | AFTER, exploring historical rupture and continuity; from IPS 2024 – Myths and Algorithms, bridging ancient narratives and technological realities, to IPS 2025 – Face to Face. Who is the Other? reflecting on alterity and identity, each edition has traced a conceptual journey through time, history, and collective imagination.
With Bird in Space, IPS continues its trajectory, turning toward the core of artistic gesture itself — toward flight, abstraction, and the possibility of redefining creation in an age where the boundaries between human and artificial intelligence grow increasingly fluid.
IPS 2026 applications open call dates: March 16th - May 3rd 2026.
IPS 2026 selected participants' announcement: May 15th 2026.
