Each summer, Madrid becomes a reference event for the world of visual arts and photography. With exhibitions in the main museums, halls and art galleries, as well as diverse activities related to the chosen theme each year, PHotoESPAÑA offers the possibility to discover the latest tendencies in photographic art as well as the latest projects by the most internationally renowned artists. The 24th edition will take place from 2 June to 30 September with a programme addressing current social issues.
Following the last edition marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, PHotoESPAÑA has created a programme focused on current social issues following the impact of the virus on everyday life and cultural practices all over the world.
The Festival will reflect on Pan-African photography from a global point of view and will also raise awareness of the work of national and international female photographers. Furthermore, the environment and sustainability will be present through leading photographers. For the occasion, Elvira Dyangani Ose will develop the Contra la Raza (Against Race) programme, presenting two exhibitions and activities that will take place at the Fine Arts Circle and Matadero Madrid.
You will be able to see the works of three National Photography Award winners of future generations, but using very different languages. Through the ENAIRE Foundation, Montserrat Sot will reflect on social change brought about by people’s movements. Isabel Muñoz, through ACCIONA, will present an interactive installation that reflects on the environment and the responsible use of water. Ouka Leele, another major player in national photography, will also be present with the Supernova exhibition.
The work of Barbara Allende will focus on the decades of the 1970s and 1980s in Spain, a period of counter-culture and rebellion. The artists, Tim Rautert and Tod Papageorge, will exhibit “night-time and low-life” photography taken in cities like New York and Paris, remembering the times prior to social distancing and curfews.
The festival’s programme will devote two monographic exhibitions to two great international photographers like Margaret Watkins from Canada, one of the pioneers of photography, and the American, Barbara Morgan, who stands out for her innovative work related to contemporary dance.
Focusing on Spanish dance, the work of the Madrid School will be addressed, a movement from the mid-20th century that supported the transformation of photography, with an exhibition by Gerardo Vielba. The work of the reputed Spanish photographer, Leopoldo Pomés, can also be seen and the ICO Museum will bring together the photographic commissions in Spain between 1983 and 2009 in an exhibition. Furthermore, the Festival will include a space to highlight the work of the new generations with joint exhibitions, such as Futures and the exhibition of the work of the students of the PHotoESPAÑA Master’s Programme.
PHE Gallery, the new permanent headquarters of PHotoESPAÑA, will become the programme’s nerve centre, hosting exhibitions of photography books, encounters with photographers, workshops and seminars.
The Visit Spain call will be launched from July, inviting Spanish citizens to photograph their surrounding area and share Spain’s wealth. Like in last year’s edition with the PHE From My Balcony initiative, there will be outdoor exhibitions with a selection of images in the participating cities from September onwards.
The PHotoESPAÑA programme is divided into two sections: the Official Section and the Off Festival, and presents different awards to recognise the work of some of the participating artists. Numerous museums and exhibition halls take part in these sections in order to boost the promotion and development of the photographic market.
Various centres in Madrid will host the activities of the 24th edition, such as the Círculo de Bellas Artes, Matadero Madrid, ICO Museum, Casa Árabe, Lázaro Galdiano Museum, Cerralbo Museum, Royal Botanical Garden, Canal de Isabel II of the Region of Madrid Exhibition Hall, Museum of Romanticism and CentroCentro, among others.
Consult Full Programme
Image Credits:
- Leopoldo Pomes. Bernadette, 1961 © Arxiu Leopoldo Pomes
- Margaret Watkins. Untitled (Graflex Camera), c. 1920 ©
- Barbara Morgan. Bea Seckler in Lynchtown, Weidman
- Zanele Muholi. Miss D’vine, 2007. Lambda Print
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