Xavier Canonne, director of the Musée de la Photographie de Charleroi, Belgium, is the sponsor of the fourth Circulation(s) photography festival. The position was previously held by Laura Serani, Christine Ollier and François Cheval. He participated in the festival selection, but was also given a “carte blanche” to showcase four artists of his choosing: Aurore Dal Mas, Pierre Liebaert, Jean-François Spricigo and Zoé An Der Haegen.
You’re the godfather of the 4th edition of the Circulation(s) Festival. What motivated you to participate?
On the one hand, the enthusiasm, professionalism and passion for photography of this young team, all women, all volunteers. On the other hand, this festival, which is only in its fourth edition, has managed to stand out in the crowded field of events, having found its signature and audience.
Every year the godfather is given a “carte blanche,” which you’ve used to showcase the work of four Belgian photographers: Aurore Dal Mas, Pierre Liebaert, Jean-François Spricigo and Zoé An Der Haegen. Why these photographers? And why these subjects?
I’ve been following these four Belgian photographers for years. I was even a member of the jury when some of them graduated from art school. Moreover, their work has already been exhibited at the Musée de la Photographie in different forms, and I’m sure we’ll hear more from them. They seemed to match the mood of the festival with their diverse, original work. In some ways it’s a continuation of the work I do in Charleroi, offering these four photographers the chance to exhibit a chapter of their work in Paris. The Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles understood and immediately provided support.
You helped put together the festival program. What were your selection criteria?
The quality of the submission, the consistency, perhaps a man or woman in a good picture… But it takes more for me, especially since the submissions we receive often take a serial, narrative form. Other criteria: the originality of the subject and how its treated. I had a good laugh looking at one submission with nude men posing like pin-ups in the forest and beside a pond. It was almost kitsch, and I knew that the girls of Circulation(s) would support it.
What do you think about young European photography?
It’s got such incredible energy, it’s hard to keep up! Everything from photojournalism to mise en scène are represented. It seems to me that after the fascination with technique, young artists have defined their style and ideas. It’s still too early to see who will emerge as a figurehead, but these are strong personalities, and regardless of where they’re from—which is really no longer relevant today—the quality is there. I think there will be a lot of work for the curators, editors and magazine directors of the future. That’s the whole point of saying yes to this kind of proposal, and taking the measure of today’s young artists.
