Today, in the first of its upcoming programme bulletins, Photo 2020 International Festival of Photography announces 120 artist collaborators, 33 new commissions and an exclusive education partnership with Magnum Photos, in what promises to be an enjoyable – and free – festival of the arts for Australia.
The international line-up spotlights a roster of far-reaching talent. It includes British photographer Martin Parr, who will journey to Melbourne alongside Spanish artist Cristina de Middel as part of a Magnum Live Lab programme. They will create new work in Melbourne throughout Photo 2020, forming a pop-up exhibition as the festival progresses.
With the aim of reaching outside of traditionally closed art circles and into the community at large, a Magnum Photos x PHOTO 2020 Intensive series will include lectures, portfolio reviews and a workshop with Magnum’s international network. A zine of students work will result, showcased on Magnum’s website.
Other highlights include South African visual activist and photographer Zanele Muholi, who will exhibit en plein air outside Melbourne Town Hall, ahead of a major mid-career survey exhibition at London’s Tate Modern at the end of April 2020. Meanwhile, Iranian-Australian artist Hoda Afshar will create a new suite of work focusing on the topical issue of whistleblowing. Local artists are represented too, with Melbourne-based Eliza Hutchinson temporarily joining the Parliament of Victoria, as its first ever Photographer in Residence.
Each participant has been asked to gear their presentation around the festival’s pertinent theme of truth. ‘Exploring the power of truth in photography is more important than ever in our current social, political and cultural climate,’ says Photo 2020 creative director Elias Redstone. ‘We have curated a considered and compelling line-up of photographers and artists with diverse life experiences to reflect on what the truth means to them.’
The inaugural iteration of Photo 2020 will take place between 23 April and 10 May next year, across more than 40 cultural institutions, museums, galleries and outdoor sites in Melbourne, including NGV Australia, Monash Gallery of Art, Centre for Contemporary Photography, and Koorie Heritage Trust. §
