Venice is not only about its Biennale. In 2018, Venice will see a new event entirely dedicated to photography. Entitled Venezia Photo, this three-week event, from February 16th to March 5th will solely focus on conferences and workshops. Conceived by the Rencontres d’Arles, renowned photographers will travel to the island of San Servolo to meet the public.
Unlike paid workshops, “Grand Masters” conferences will be open to the public. Among other artists, Oliviero Toscani, Jean-Marie Périer, Peter Knapp and Yann Arthus-Bertrand will talks about their art, their practices and their works.
To differ from current workshops offered in Arles, current director of the french festival Sam Stourdzé proposed a new format. He told Paris Match that “the goal is not to train photographers in order to be exhibited in Arles but to help them developping their practice of photography with professionals guiding them.” The idea of immersion on the island for three weeks is at the heart of the project. The island will facilitate exchanges to understand what’s a photographer today, allowing better exchanges between students and their teachers.
Several formulas are proposed. They can be found on the Rencontres d’Arles website.