Around fifteen years ago, I wanted Olympus to get involved in artistic photography in a more creative, cultural way. Our thinking originated in the simple realisation that photography doesn't exist without photographers and this led us to prioritise support for the artists themselves. Today we sponsor around fifteen photographers, amongst which there are some big names but also young talents (working in collectives or independently). We also support certain institutions, such as Le Jeu de Paume, which we have been involved with since its inception, the Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation and the Nicéphore Niépce Museum. We also wanted to link up with a major cultural photography event and a school. Given our approach and thinking, the Rencontres d'Arles immediately became a priority. I knew François Hébel and we had already been mulling over the idea of doing something with the festival for a few years when we decided to take the crucial step to becoming a partner, just after the sudden departure of HP. We have now been here at Arles alongside François for six years. In parallel and, following the same logic, we also lend our support to the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Photographie in Arles.
This article is reserved for subscribed members only. If you are already a member, you can log in here below.
Subscribe for full access to The Eye of Photography archives!
That’s thousands of images and articles, documenting the history of the medium of photography and its evolution during the last decade, through a unique daily journal. Explore how photography, as an art and as a social phenomenon, continue to define our experience of the world. Two offers are available.
Subscribe either monthly for $5 or annually for $50 (2 months offered).
