An annual photo fair with a festival flair. Photo Rotterdam celebrates the wide spectrum of photography as it presents itself in our contemporary image culture.
It takes place during Rotterdam Art Week at Willemsplein so art lovers have the opportunity to visit numerous art and design events. The event is held from May 18 to May 22 at Nederlands Fotomuseum.
This will be a unique edition. Due to several postponements and cancellations because of COVID-19, the festival has two themes at the same time. PLANET HUMAN X THE HUMAN BLUEPRINT.
Under the umbrella of these two themes, more than 100 photographers from all over the globe show their projects. All photographers from Rotterdam Photo 2021 edition ( PLANET HUMAN theme) and photographers from Rotterdam Photo 2022
edition (THE HUMAN BLUEPRINT theme) will become part of the new Rotterdam Photo 2022 XL edition.
Following last year’s topic PLANET HUMAN, we continue to ask the same questions: Who are we, as human beings, besides the fact that we exist? What do we leave behind? How do we express ourselves? What is the role of our imperfections, the dark parts of our collective existence? Do they make us human?
Today, more than ever, the notion of being human is undergoing evolution. And this year, we invited professional and amateur photographers to join us and think about THE HUMAN BLUEPRINT that we, humans, leave after us. Our species are profoundly transforming the Earth. The PLANET HUMAN is no longer metaphorical. And 2020 was not only the year of a global pandemic but the year when human-made mass overtook that of all the living things in the world. And if we continue this great acceleration it will be visible in sediments and rocks millions of years into the future. So we ask which Blueprint do we leave behind? How can we rethink our relationship with the rest of the non-human environment around us? And when will we stop perceiving the planet space as exclusively human, an anthropocentric space?
Photo Rotterdam brings photography outside
Each year, Rotterdam Photo usually invites independent photographers to exhibit at the fair. From amateurs to fine art and from documentary to street. They are invited to submit their work via an open call that revolves around a current theme. Participating photographers get to sell their own work, meet gallerists, art buyers and photography lovers, as well as international art press professionals.
Inspired by the history of Rotterdam as a port city, the festival provides the selected photographers with exhibition space in repurposed shipping containers and also uses the public space of Rotterdam to bring photography outside.
In addition to the exhibitions, Rotterdam Photo organizes talks, workshops and a fringe program with music and exhibitions on digital screens throughout the city. Partnering neighbors join forces to offer fringe exhibitions and leisurely activities. Street vendors, cafes and restaurants in the area also offer great food and delicious drinks, so the public can spend a relaxed time. Tasting the raw and edgy couleur locale of the coolest and most upcoming neighborhood of Rotterdam.
Coverphoto: Jacqueline Fuijkschot
