This article on the new Ostend Photography Festival will discuss a series of open-air and public exhibitions. As a last point we will also talk about the side events and some other initiatives.
Scattered throughout the city are works by Filip Dujardin (1971) who created new images of imaginary surrealist constructions especially for this exhibition.
Ruud van Empel (1958), Dutch photographer and master of manipulated photography, has a venue in the middle of the city in Leopold Park.
Nearby, Jean Godecharle (1956) shows his work in the Koningspark and brings his views on the relationship between man and nature.
In the old swimming pool, Elisa Maenhout (1998) shows us a very appropriate photography, and from there you move on to the CAS Gallery where you can admire the work of Jan Pypers (1982) and Marlous van der Sloot (1986).
Back to the seaside where you can see (hopefully in the sun and with a light breeze) Aisha Zeijpveld (1983).
Walk past the renovated Casino Kursaal to the Beau Site Gallery where Jennifer Kesteleyn (1984) exhibits her work.
Defying the elements, the work of French photographer Charlotte Mano (1990) is on display on the Western Pier. She presents a selection of two series: Nocturnes and Portraire.
We go downtown to the Galerie Theobalds Boathouse, where Gilles Boudot (1953) exhibits his self-made landscapes.
At the Galerie Papillon (the only off-show of the event mentioned on the website) we see Margaret Lansink (1961) with a selection of The Borders of Nottingness and On the Mend. Her work is contrasted with that of the renowned documentary photographer Tomas van Houtryve (1975). This exhibition will not open until September 10th.
Next door, in the famous Art Deco setting of the Hôtel du Parc, Bart Ramakers’ second off exhibition is taking place.
In the Exposure Value gallery of Ostend Festival co-curator Yvon Poncelet, we find father and daughter Claire (1987) and Philippe Ordioni (1960) with surreal baroque portraits.
We cross the harbour again: for reasons of convenience, we take the free ferry service which provides crossings almost permanently.
In the chapel of the former military hospital we find Daniëlle van Zadelhoff (1963). She is inspired by the baroque painting and chiaroscuro of Caravaggio.
Richard Petit (1957) is a jack-of-all-trades: photographer, engineer and philosopher, he is a modern-day uomo universalis. He’s last on the list here, be sure to visit his exhibition.
There are also some side events. The famous Dutch-speaking actor Rik Verheye is doing four consecutive podcasts, and cultural centre De Grote Post is hosting De Donkere Kamer on September 23rd.
In De Donkere Kamer, the public is confronted with various actors from the world of photography. For example, photographer Filip Dujardin will be discussing his new project, which is exhibited at the Ostend Photo Biennial. The second name on the bill is Diego Franssens, who will present HERMAN, a new book and exhibition at the Guislain Institute in Ghent. Julie Scheurweghs will talk about her new book and the exhibition THE BIRTH OF A MOTHER in Ostend. Of course, the work of the central figure Marc Lagrange, the crowd puller of the Photobiennale, will also be discussed. And, as usual, Stijn Meuris will bring his audience his oral chronicle based on a photograph. The evening is hosted by Lieven Vandenhaute.
There will also be a number of other initiatives:
– the famous bookshop Corman will create a showcase of books on photography.
– the new bookshop De Witte Zee shows you a table with books on photography
In conclusion: with 33 photographers and a wide range of photography, Ostend is worth a visit for photography lovers until October 24th.
In the following contributions we will look at some aspects of the festival and some artists.
John Devos
Johndevos.photo (ad) gmail.com
Electric scooters
https://elektrische-steps.com/deelstep/bird/
The Biennial’s website
The city map with the locations is not on the festival website but on :
https://www.visitoostende.be/nl/internationale-fotobiennale-oostende
Papillon Lansink & van Houtryve
https://www.facebook.com/artgalerie.Papillon/
Hotel du Parc Bart Ramakers
https://www.bartramakers.com/exhibitions/
photographic event La chambre noire
https://www.dedonkerekamer.org/
Corman Bookshop
https://www.boekhandelcorman.be/
De Witte Zee bookshop
https://www.facebook.com/dewittezee
