“To photograph: it is to put on the same line of sight the head, the eye and the heart.” Henri Cartier-Bresson
The past few years have witnessed the popularity of photography as a medium of expression, form of art and even as a profession, sky-rocket. Sure, it's led to an Instagramming generation, where anyone and everyone, iPhone in tow, claims to be a photographer. But what it's also created is an unparalleled interest in what is the most 'democratic of all artistic mediums'.
Whether you're an art/photography aficionado, amateur, professional, or just simply interested in exploring a captured commentary on one's cultural milieu, the Delhi Photo Fest is where you need to be from the 27th of September to the 10th of October. Bringing you work from all corners of the globe - Croatia, Argentina, Georgia, Italy, Spain, and beyond - and India of course, is the Delhi Photo Festival's second edition, organized by Nazar Foundation and IHC. It's nearly all set to take the stage at India Habitat Centre's sprawling alleys and galleries!
Here's what we're keeping a look out for at DPF 2013 |
The Concepts | This year's exhibit brings forth work by over 41 artists from all over the world. I had a chance to go through a few of the works, and the concepts and themes are most thought provoking. I was especially intrigued by 'Close Distance' by Jannatul Mawa and 'Super Mamika' by Sasha Goldberger.
'Close Distance' is a commentary on social classes that create a distance. In this series, Jannatul captures the relationship between housewives and their maidservants.
More than a photo project, 'Mamika' is the telling of a beautiful story of the photographer and his 94 year old grand mother. For Sacha, making these pictures is the best way to make his grandma immortal.
This is just the tip of the iceberg - there's plenty to open your mind's eye to!
Book Launches | Photographer Vicky Roy launches his debut book - Home. Street. Home. If you haven't read this, in summary, the book showcases the work of Vicky Roy, of his life and that of his friends on the street and at the Salaam Balak Trust. There's also going to be a small exhibit of self-published books from South East Asia on display.
Gallery Exhibits | Galleries around town are celebrating the Delhi Photo Fest with curated exhibits. We're looking forward to Asim Waqif's exhibit at Nature Morte, PIX's 'The Interior', which will be on display at Max Mueller Bhawan, Ishan Tankha's exhibit at the Japan foundation, and 'Grace and The Urban Story'- works by Antoni Taule, Diedi von Schaewen, Samit Das and George K - on display at Apparao Gallery. Keep a lookout for when the exhibits go up.
Artist talks | We're especially excited about Karen Knorr's talk. You might have seen her work in Tasveer Gallery in Delhi, or at their display at India Art last year. Karen Knorr is one of the most renowned contemporary photographers working today. Since the 1970s, she has been producing images that interrogate political, economic, and gendered representation. She has taught, exhibited, and lectured internationally, at the Tate Modern, Goldsmiths, Harvard, and the Pompidou Centre. What's also planned is artist talks by Iranian photographers, organized by PIX and Max Mueller Bhawan. Block 29th of September, 2 pm to 5 pm.
Workshops, Evening Screenings, Portfolio Reviews & Open Library | While we're yet to get details on what these will entail, given the partners and organizations that are conducting them, there's lots we can expect from workshops being conducted this year at DPF by Canon India and Fujifilm. There's also a Children Workshop being organized by FICA and Rang!
For those who haven't had a chance to attend one of Rang's Open Library's, it's an opportunity to dip into and flip through photographic books and journals that are rare and more often than not, really expensive. Meet fellow photographers/enthusiasts and immerse yourself in the works of people from all over the world.
Grace | The theme for this year's festival is 'Grace', a tribute to late photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta. He'd said, “I want to have a long string of images, held together by grace, because grace is that undefineable, non rational, non linear word that I am looking for… ” The DPF team took submissions of work relevant to this theme from the 4th of March, to late April this year, and we're keen to see what made the cut. Also during the fest, Piyush Wadhera will be paying a tribute to Prabuddha {28th of September, from 10 am to 1 pm}.
We were fortunate to watch this discussion at the last edition of DPF. Though the video may not be top quality, listen in when you can |
For us, the most fascinating aspect of DPF is the sheer democracy of it all; you're sitting amidst the Indian photography scene's stalwarts, and getting a first hand account of their learning and experience. Raghu Rai, Dayanita Singh, Devika Daulat Singh, Pablo Barthomolew, Amit Pasricha, and the festival organizers, who are our country's most revered photographers - Dinesh Khanna and Prashant Panjiar, can be seen and spoken with at the Fest. To see an art community come together and celebrate the medium is most remarkable, and we look forward to the surprises the 2nd edition of DPF has in store for us.
For more information & updates, check out |
Check out the schedule here | DPF Calendar
DPF's Facebook Page | www.facebook.com/delhiphotofestival
Website | www.delhiphotofestival.com