The picturesque city of Arles in southern France once again becomes the global epicentre of photography as Les Rencontres d’Arles, the prestigious annual festival, opens its doors for its 54th edition, per dazeddigital.com. Running until September 29, 2024, this year’s event promises to captivate visitors with its theme “beneath the surface,” exploring the hidden depths and complexities of visual storytelling.
Since its inception in 1970, Les Rencontres d’Arles has been a cornerstone of the international photography scene, attracting both established masters and emerging talents. The festival transforms the entire city into a vast exhibition space, utilising everything from dedicated galleries to ancient churches, crypts and even the local Monoprix supermarket.
One of this year’s headline exhibitions is Sophie Calle’s provocative “Neither Give Nor Throw Away.” Displayed in the city’s damp cryptoporticus, Calle’s series “The Blind” is intentionally left to decompose, creating a haunting meditation on beauty and impermanence.
American documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark is honoured with a retrospective at Espace Van Gogh. The exhibition, “Encounters,” showcases five of her most acclaimed series, highlighting her compassionate portraits of society’s marginalised groups. Visitors can also explore contact sheets and correspondence, offering deeper insights into Mark’s creative process.
Japanese photographer Ishiuchi Miyako’s “Belongings” series at Salle Henri-Comte presents a poignant exploration of absence through personal objects, including items owned by Hiroshima bomb victims and Frida Kahlo.
The festival also shines a light on lesser-known collectives, such as El Grupo de Cali from Colombia, whose works delve into themes of youth, violence, and cultural identity. The Discovery Award exhibition, housed in an unexpected location within the Monoprix supermarket, showcases emerging talents like François Bellabas and Tshepiso Mazibuko, who tackle contemporary issues through innovative photographic approaches.
- Featured image: Les Rencontres d'Arles (2024)/Courtesy of the artist
