I am presenting my dissertation on Photography and The Search for Lost Time at the 2012 Journeys Across Media Conference at the University of Reading, on Thursday 19th April, as part of a panel along with Jennifer Jarman, David Dunkley Gyimah and Sy Taffell.

I am glad to be involved as Associated Curator with FoLi (Museo de la Fotografía, Lima) on their FoliLab Project for the first Lima Photography Biennale (Bienal de Fotografía de Lima)in Lima, Peru.  I presented Cynthia Lawson Jaramillo and Klaus Fruchtnis’ project Cross Urban for the projection programme at FoliLab, bringing together artists from Colombia and Europe to the Museum in Peru. Congratulations to the team at FoLi on the huge success of FoliLab, and to Cynthia and Klaus for their amazing project.

Celebrating 100 years of Captain Scott’s expedition to Antartica (1910-1913)

The Great White South
The Lost Photographs of Capitain Scott & the Ponting Platinum Print Portfolio
Atlas Gallery, 23 Feb – 21 Apr 2012

Scott’s Last Expedition
National History Museum, 20 Jan – 2 Sept 2012

The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton & Antarctic Photography
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, 21 Oct 2011 – 15 Apr 2012

All About Eve: The Photography of Eve Arnold
Art Sensus, 2 Mar – 27 Apr 2012

Gilliam Wearing
Whitechapel Gallery, 28 Mar – 27 Jun

Thomas Ruff – Ma.r.s
Gagosian Gallery, 8 Apr – 21 Apr 2012

In Paris Photo one expects to find the a-list of the art photography world. In that respect, the fair didn’t disappoint. If, like me, you were expecting to find the next big names then you would be in for a bit of a letdown. Pity, because I think PF could also be great exposure for emerging artists. Talking with gallerists and dealers in the fair, the argument had more to do with investment and return than talent or experience. When paying for a booth at Paris, you’d better make sure you put on the work that sells, that means the common known names (I guess we all agree there were far to many Massimo Vitali prints around), rather than waging your profits on lesser known artists. This is understandable, but hopefully for years to come the fair’s newly appointed director Julien Frydman will find a way to allow the exhibitors to take riskier decisions, and surprise collectors and visitors with bolder, more daring shows.

There were, fortunately, a handful of exceptions. The following are my highlights of the fair: galleries, artists and works that deserve a closer look.

I am always on the look out for Latin American art photography and I am constantly disappointed at Paris because of the lack of representation of artists and galleries from said part of the world. Apart from the expected Vic Muniz and some Muñoz at La Fabrica, one booth really stepped up from the rest. A most welcomed surprise was to find the impeccably curated show by Alexis Fabri at Toluca Editions. Although not at gallery in the strictest of terms, Fabri’s knowledge of  Latin American photography and outstanding photographic eye allowed him to put together a collection of images that truly convey the essence of the continent. I was surprised to find early vintage prints of Colombian photographer Fernell Franco, and also beautiful lesser known photographic work by Argentinian artist Julio Le Parc.  I have my sights fixed on the new projects at Toluca, and eagerly expect their participation in Paris next year.

 Fernell Franco, From the Series Prostitutas, 1970

Another gallery I hadn’t heard of before Paris, and a highlight for various visitors was Asymetria, from Poland. Their stand at PF, although a bit cluttered (probably because of the reasons mentioned at the start of this review) reminded me of Poland’s sound photographic tradition, deeply rooted in the conceptual art movement of the early half of the twentieth century. Last July I was invited to Dublin for PhotoIreland, and was introduced to the master photo-collages of Zofia Rydet. To see them again at PF was a very particular surprise, and clear indication of the value of a generation of artists all along Europe who are being rediscovered and whose work is suddenly gathering a lot of interest. Rydet’s work for me is imbued with the hardship and steadfastness I associate with the Polish spirit. Definitely a highlight of the fair.

 Sophia Rydet: from the series "Holocaust", c. 1970

One last highlight of Paris Photo has to do with a more contemporary gallery with a very distinct selection of artists. Les Filles Du Calvaire (a name one doesn’t easily forget) has now become a Parisian household name, and I have to say much mentioned on the cafe and corridors of the Grand Palais during the fair. Their stand was very elegantly curated, not too much on the walls, but not so little that it seems empty. I was drawn to the work by Portuguese artist Helena Almeida. Her images experiment with the raw expression of the body through actions, but also the elegance of rational thought. Both in concept and execution, her work has the depth and rigour so hard to come by these days.

Helena Almeida, O Abraço, 2007

All the images © the artists. 

“For two days I turned to photography, whether known to photographers and reviewing their work in the portfolio view, or conferences and discussions with curators and publishers of photography books. I wanted to feel the pulse of a younger generation of photographers, and search threads between the various works in the festival. Now, a couple of weeks after returning to London, I transcribed my notes and I giving myself some time to review the works that interested me the most.”

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En camino al festival Emergent en Lleida, pasé un par de días explorando la movida fotográfica en Barcelona. Tres espacios/exposiciones me llamaron la atención, como ejemplo del creciente interés por la fotografía que actualmente noto en un grupo particular de ciudades alrededor del mundo. Ciudades conocidas por su fusión de culturas, intercambio de ideas y colaboración creativa.

El primer lugar que visité fue Foto Colectania. Este centro de fotografía es un modelo a replicar. Sus instalaciones, al igual que su programa de exposiciones son elogiables. Tuve oportunidad de ver en Colectania una exposición titulada Álbum, del fotógrafo catalán Joan Colom. El espacio de Colectania es tranquilo, y le da a uno el tiempo necesario para ver la exposición con la calma que merece. Hace más de diez años un escritor amigo me presentó el libro del premio Nobel Camilo José Cela, Izas, Rabizas y Colipoterras. Si no fuera por el inusual titulo (y el hecho que mi amigo escritor lo mencionaba cada vez que encontraba oportunidad) seguramente lo habría olvidado. Más de diez años después me encuentro con las imágenes originales de Colom que ilustraron la edición del libro. Un reportaje cándido y -si me puedo aventurar a decir- muy español de la vida ‘alegre’ del Rabal.

Siguiendo mi recorrido por los espacios de fotografía en Barcelona, fui a conocer el espacio de exposición del Archivo Fotográfico de Barcelona. En un edificio histórico cerca al puerto y a la playa de la Barceloneta (y convenientemente localizado un piso arriba del Museo del Chocolate), el Archivo Fotográfico es un descubrimiento invaluable para los interesados en la fotografía. La más reciente exposición, Barcelona Gitana, fotografías de Jaques Léonard, es una celebración alegre y muy intima del pueblo gitano. Este es el enlace a un video con el curador de la muestra, Jordi Calafell, quien además estuvo a cargo de imprimir las copias a partir de los negativos originales. En las fotografías de Léonard resuena la musica y la magia de la fiesta gitana.

Jacques Léonard, Revetlla de Sant Joan a Ca La Rosita, a l'avinguda de Para-lel, Rosita, 1960

“El Archivo Fotográfico de Barcelona presenta una selección de fotografías de Jacques Léonard (París, 1909 – l ‘Escala, 1995). Casado con Rosario, una gitana de las barracas de Montjuïc, pudo fotografiar la comunidad gitana barcelonesa desde dentro…”  

Un último espacio, a diferencia de los anteriores más dedicado a la fotografía joven es The Private Space. Es un ejemplo de centro de fotografía donde se mezclan los espacios de producción, exposición y venta de piezas fotográficas, no solo en forma de copias impresas, también ediciones por demanda de libros y proyectos especiales. Me alegró mucho ver que este tipo de proyectos están naciendo en ciudades como Barcelona. Este bien puede ser uno de los posibles futuros de la fotografía. Considerar que el medio fotográfico se está transformando en un proceso colectivo y colaborativo es la resonancia del espíritu que percibí en Barcelona.

En TPS vi uno de sus últimos libros, Japan, por Tina Bagué y Toru Morimoto. Impecable. Tengo que decir que últimamente estaba un poco desilusionado por la falta de atención de las nuevas editoriales fotográficas por los detalles de encuadernación de sus ediciones especiales. Si no fuera por las restricciones de peso en el avión de vuelta a Londres, seguro habría comprado el libro, que además de contener un ensayo fotográfico alucinante sobre el Japón contemporáneo, es un objeto de colección en sí. De nuevo, impecable. Mis felicitaciones.

Tina Bagué y Toru Morimoto, Japan

Me voy de Barcelona bastante animado con su movida fotográfica. Espero el año entrante regresar con ideas y proyectos para poder acercarla un poco más a Londres. Muchas gracias a los directores y curadores que me recibieron en los diferentes espacios, la hospitalidad y generosidad catalanas me dejaron con la ilusión de volver ojalá por una temporada más larga.

English

On the way to Emergent festival in Lleida, I spent a couple of days exploring Barcelona’s photographic scene. Three spaces / exhibitions struck me as an example of the growing interest in photography I now notice in a particular group of cities around the world. Cities know for their fusion of cultures, exchange of ideas and creative collaboration.

The first place I visited was Foto Colectania. This photography centre is a model to replicate. Its facilities, as well as its exhibition program are laudable. I had a chance to see an exhibition of Catalan photographer Joan Colom. Colectania’s space is quiet, and gives one time to see the exhibition with the peace it deserves. More than ten years ago a writer friend of mine introduced me to the book of the Nobel Prize winner Camilo José Cela, Izas, Rabizas y Colipoterras. If not for the unusual title (and the fact that my writer friend mentioned it whenever he found a chance) I probably would have forgotten it. More than ten years later I find the original images of the book originally illustrated by Colom. A candid and -if I can venture to say- very Spanish account of ‘the happy life’ in Rabal.

Following my tour of photography spaces in Barcelona, ​​I went to see the exhibition at the Barcelona Photographic Archive. In a historic building near the port and the beach of Barceloneta (conveniently located one floor above the Museum of Chocolate), the Photographic Archive is an invaluable discovery for those interested in photography. The most recent exhibition, Gypsy Barcelona, photographs by Jaques Léonard, is a very intimate and joyous celebration of gypsy culture. This is the link to a video with the curator, Jordi Calafell, who was also in charge of printinting the copies of the show. Léonard’s photographs echo the music and the magic of the gypsy party.

“The Photographic Archive of Barcelona presents a selection of photographs of Jacques Léonard (Paris, 1909 – L ‘Escala, 1995). Married to Rosario, one Gypsy barracks Montjuïc, the Roma community was able to photograph in Barcelona from within …”

A final space, unlike the previous two more dedicated to young photography is The Private Space. Its an example of photo center where you mix the areas of production, exhibition and sale of pieces of photography, not only in the form of hard copies on demand, but also books and special projects. I was delighted to see that these projects are being born in cities like Barcelona. This may well be one of the possible futures of photography. Considering that the photographic medium is becoming a collective and collaborative process is the resonance of the spirit that I saw in Barcelona.

In TPS  I saw one of their latest books, Japan, by Tina Bagué and Toru Morimoto. Impeccable. I have to say that recently I was a little disappointed by the lack of attention the new photographic publishing houses paid to the details of binding of their special editions. If not for the weight restrictions on the plane back to London, I sure would have bought the book, which apart from an amazing photo essay on contemporary Japan, is a remarkable object itself. Once again, impeccable. My congratulations.

I’m quite impressed with Barcelona’s photo scene. I hope to return next year with ideas and projects to bring the city a step closer to London. A big thank you to the directors and curators who greeted me in the different spaces, Catalan hospitality and generosity left me with the desire to return, hopefully for a while longer.

“I love to do all of the more practical things. I love bringing people together and making things happen. It’s more exciting to be proactive and in this kind of work, you can bring a bit of a personal touch. I remind myself as much as I can to enjoy myself because I chose a career path I love. I love the practical aspects of my job.” more>