Get ready for the 7th edition of the Photo Fair on 9 – 12 February.
Rotterdam Photo is an exciting photography fair that is part of the renowned “Rotterdam Art Week”. The event is a great showcase of a diverse range of contemporary photography, as much as an immersive festival experience with live music, artist talks, workshops, food, drinks, digital installations, and street vendors.
Located at the Willemsplein in the heart of Rotterdam – Europe’s largest harbor city – “Rotterdam Photo” is set to take place in an unconventional “outside the White Cube” environment. Over 60 shipping containers will display the works of photographers, transforming the area into a dynamic photography village.
“Freedom Redefined”
Inspired by the COVID-19 crisis and recent events, this year’s theme is “Freedom Redefined”. Photographers of all different levels were invited to submit their work in either a “project” or “individual image” category. “Rotterdam Photo” seeks to shed light on what freedom means to each of us in times of fear and crisis. How far are we willing to go for our freedom? How much are we willing to give up for the greater good? And how do people from different parts of the world view freedom? These are the questions that “Rotterdam Photo” aims to explore through interesting and inspiring perspectives.
The jury, consisting of Rebecca Simons (WDKA, Academy educator, editor, and artist), Erik Vroons (GUP, Fresh Eye), and Marcel Kollen (Kunsthal Rotterdam, Het Nieuwe Instituut), received an unprecedented number of entries from 78 countries, with over 10,000 images. This is a great testament to the success of this year’s “Rotterdam Photo”. The quality of the selected works is sure to be equally impressive.
The Selected photographers:
In the end the jury selected 67 photo projects and 29 single images for the exhibition, based on the theme “Freedom Redefined”.
Marco Serventi’s “Sanctuary” is reflecting on the search of freedom, nature and a moment of grounding within the hectic metropole of New York. “Redd” by Anna Rogneby is exploring the impact of anxiety on our everyday lives and personal freedom. Dutch photographer Benny van der Plank‘s project “Errer” is among the selected works. He reflects on uncertainty, doubt, fear, and the journey of overcoming challenges, reinventing oneself, and taking on new paths. Participating for the second time, he described the fair to us: “Rotterdam Photo is a great international event to celebrate photography. It is a fantastic platform to show your work to thousands of visitors during Rotterdam Art Week. For us photographers it is also a great opportunity to make international contacts and to be inspired by other amazing colleague photographers from all over the world.”
Mad Harper‘s “ING SUFFIX/ DENOTING A VERBAL ACTION, AN INSTANCE OF THIS, OR IT’S RESULT” is blurring the lines between photo, sculpture and object. Julia Wimmerlin is showing “Kateryna, 38, Bucha – Basel-Land, Left Ukraine in March 2022”. “GUǏ 鬼” by Yunfei Ren is contemplating on loss, alienation and the search for belonging in the Chinese Diaspora. Diewke van den Heuvel‘s project “Julius” is giving insights on raising a child in the complexity of the modern world.
To see the full list of all selected photographers click here.
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