Open Call - LAB 5 The Mechanics of Truth

Medialab Matadero invites project proposals and multidisciplinary collaborators for the Collaborative Prototyping Lab (LPC), a two-week residency in the framework of the annual thematic program LAB 5 The Mechanics of Truth. 

The LPC will take place at Medialab Matadero (Madrid) between November 12 and 25, 2026. 

During the residency, 25 participants organized in working groups will collaboratively develop five prototype projects. Each group will be supported by a team of mentors and experts among which the researcher and engineer Júlia Nueno Guitart, scientist and digital ecosystems explorer Sophie Publig, and artist, architect, and computational designer Lucia Rebolino, as well as a technical mentor and Medialab curator Bani Brusadin. 

The public presentation of the projects developed will take place between November 26 and 28, 2026, during the OpenLAB festival. 

To see the detailed conditions and application requirements, consult the call guidelines. 

What does Collaborative Prototyping Lab mean?

 For Medialab, prototyping means testing ideas through collaborative work. The lab consists of an intensive two-week residency in which 25 participants, organized into 5 working groups, will develop the 5 selected prototypes. Each group will be coordinated by the project’s lead proposer (the “promoter”) and will receive support and guidance from mentors and guest experts invited by Medialab. A workspace and tools will be provided for the development of each project. 

This call is aimed both at people who want to propose one of the five projects to be developed and at those who want to join as collaborators in developing them. 

You can find information about previous editions of the LPC here, here, here or here.

Who is this call for? 

In this call we are looking for 5 project leads (“promoters”) and up to 20 collaborators. 

The LPC is open to people with experience or training in visual cultures, technologies and digital media, architecture and urbanism, writing, journalism, social studies, activism, science, engineering, economics, and any other field that can connect with one or more of the themes of LAB 5 The Mechanics of Truth. 

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Other than that, we welcome anyone to apply, regardless of origin or place of residence. 

What is the difference between submitting a project and participating as a collaborator? 

In this call you may submit a work proposal (a “prototype”) or apply as a collaborator in the teams that will develop the prototypes. 

Regarding projects, we are looking for original proposals and specific knowledge that expand the themes of the call from a wide range of perspectives. We accept all kinds of proposals—from highly technical to highly speculative—and at any stage of development, from early ideas to projects in their final stages of definition and testing. Keep in mind that proposals will be developed in a collaborative and co-creation environment. 

The option to participate as a collaborator is for those who want to contribute their knowledge and take part in a project within a team of 4–5 people. In general, we are looking for people interested in engaging with the technological aspects of contemporary society and willing to test and expand their ideas in a concrete, collaborative, and critical way. We are especially interested in profiles connected to contemporary artistic creation and design research, both at early stages and in more established phases of their professional careers. 

Why “The Mechanics of Truth”? 

Work proposals should respond to the theme of the annual program LAB 5 The Mechanics of Truth. In the presentation you will find some ideas and topics we would like to engage with. Consider them as a reference and starting point. 

If you wish to submit a prototype proposal on other themes, make sure the connection is real, solid, and compelling. 

What is a prototype? 

A prototype is not a finished project, but rather an incipient idea: a work proposal seeking a team, a new branch or aspect of an existing project that has not yet been developed, or an idea for a project still in the definition phase that has not yet been tested. 

• A prototype may be tangible or adopt intangible formats. 
• It may be a tool, device, or interface, or a research strategy or action plan, as well as an intervention or performance addressing something difficult to understand. It could also be an alternative model or protocol to tap into complex phenomena at different scales. 
• We prefer the exploration of edge cases and less explored issues, over already widely known topics. 
• We prefer the exploration of edge cases and less explored phenomena over themes or examples that are already widely known. 
• In terms of format, all approaches are valid. We are also open to less conventional proposals, experimental designs, visionary projects, alternative models or systems, unusual interventions, etc. 
• We are interested in the material dimension of the themes or problems addressed and the possibility of outlining potential lines of work and even solutions to concrete problems. 
• And most importantly: the prototype is a proposal that will benefit from the collaborative and co-creation environment offered by Medialab. 

What is the application deadline? 

The deadline is June 14, 2026. 

On May 28, 2026 at 18:00, there will be an online Q&A session. 

The results of the selection will be communicated from July 15, 2026 onward. We recommend consulting the guidelines for more details. 

 

Can it be attended online? 

No, attendance is in person. Due to the nature of the work, participants are expected to attend all sessions in person (Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00). Occasionally there will also be additional activities after these hours. 

I will need proof of participation. Is that possible? 

Yes. Medialab Matadero can provide invitation letters or certificates of attendance upon request. 

What language is used in the LPC? 

This residency will take place in Spanish and English, without formal translation. We recommend that participants have an intermediate to advanced level of English to interact with their group members and the mentors.

Is there a participation fee? 

No, participation is free. 
In addition, Medialab covers travel and accommodation expenses for participants who do not live in the Community of Madrid, regardless of their country of origin (see the legal guidelines for details). The organization will also provide meals for all participants from Monday to Saturday during the residency. 

What documentation is required?  

All instructions are detailed in the call guidelines. 

How do I submit my application? 

By filling out this form.