Babelgum video competition offers artists a chance at exposure in Times Square

Babelgum, Youtube’s largest competitor will be holding the Metropolis Art Prize 2009, a contest in which participants submit videos of any art form to win a chance at having their work showcased in the “neon heart of New York City,” in Times Square.

Babelgum is a popular Web site aimed to “act as an international 'glue,’ bringing a huge range of professional and semi-professional content to a global audience.”

The site showcases channels featuring numerous topics, from politics to comedy, all of which grab the attention of its viewer’s personal interest. Accordingly to the Website, “Babelgum focuses on the third part of the ecosystem: innovative, professionally produced content on very specific passions — music, comedy, film, urban culture, nature and the environment — curated by experts in their fields.

“Babelgum’s programming is comprised of exclusive original productions as well as independent and mainstream titles.” It also has a number of major partnerships from Sony BMG to The New York Times.

The popular international Web site is not only a video friendly zone, but it also acts as a talent scout with popular art competitions. The first being an Online Film Festival, chaired by award-winning director and producer Spike Lee and the Babelgum Music Video Awards, judged by acclaimed film director and music video maven Michel Gondry.

Babelgum recently opened the doors to video artist for a new competition, the Metropolis Art Prize 2009. The contest upholds Babelgum’s popularity of online talent scouting. Artist working with any visual medium are encouraged to upload a video of their creativity. Videos can be directed by the artists themselves or with the aid of a filmmaker.

Besides recognition in the art world, what else are these creative beings striving for? The contest offers four different awards, all of which vary by judges and audience opinion.

According to the Babelgum Web site, “Nine winners will have their videos broadcast on jumbo monitors in Times Square, turning New York City’s most spectacular space into an art installation site.”

On Dec. 17, their work will be screened on the large monitors disrupted by no advertisements. The audience will vote on a winner either on the Babelgum Web site or by mobile phone to receive the Audience Award with a prize of $5,000.

The Best Street Art Video is another chance for another winner to be awarded for their talent and creativity. Cedar Lewisohn will determine who will be awarded $5,000 as well as their video being showcased on the Times Square monitors. The Metropolis Art Grand Prize will be awarded to the last man standing.

According to the Babelgum Web site,“The winner will receive US $20,000, a dedicated artist channel on BabelgumMetropolis and will have his/her video screened on Times Square monitors.” The Prize is presented in association with SCOPE International Contemporary Art Show and Perpetual Art Machine.

These prizes are incredible and monumental steps to jump-start the career of the talented applicants. Each prize is a great opportunity to introduce these talented individuals to the world.

The videos that are uploaded are being judged and evaluated from an A list of professional artist and art gurus.

The list of judges includes Isabella Rosselini, Cedar Lewisohn, Lee Wells and Howard Halle. Rosselini is a former model turned actress and video artist. She gained attention by starring in Blue Velvet, a classic by David Lynch. Rosselini progressed to writing and directing the Green Porno video series for the Sundance Channel.

Lewisohn is an artist and writer. He is the man behind Street Art: the Graffiti Revolution, which documents the popularity of the graffiti art scene. Wells is the Curator-at-Large for the Scope Art Fair and co-founder of  the video art archive Perpetrual Art Machine.

Halle is the Editor-at-Large and chief art critic for Time Out New York. The final judge is the audience of Babelgum who will all help determine the fate of each artist. 

Those interested in entering the contest have until Oct. 18 to upload their videos to Babelgum.com. Judges and audiences will vote on the videos from Nov. 2 through Dec.6.