HAUTE PHOTOGRAPHIE Amsterdam 2024 #1 by John Devos
Next to UNSEEN there is also Haute Photographie, taking place from September 18-22, 2024, at Studio 3000 in Amsterdam Noord. They chose for a five-day event, featuring an impressive lineup of about 50 (inter)national photographers, is entirely focused on an engaging group exhibition. They are showcasing photography from the past (vintage), the present (contemporary), and the future (emerging talents). This year, Haute Photographie focusses on the ‘independent photographer,’ the photographer without a gallery.
Roy Kahmann, the owner of Kahmann Gallery and founder/curator of Haute Photographie, received over 350 applications from photographers seeking gallery representation in the past 12 months. To support these artists, Kahmann has chosen to focus on independent photographers..
New location.
Returning to Amsterdam for the third time, the fair is set to take place at an exciting and inspiring new location in Amsterdam Noord. The best part? Visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet these photographers in person at the fair. Apart from the artists exhibiting in the main hall, you can also find a selection of 150 international photography talents that were selected to showcase their work at Haute Photographie as part of our talent platform FRESH EYES.
Books, magazines and special editions
Books and special editions will play a significant role during Haute Photographie this year, with Artibooks as the host of the bookmarket. This renowned online bookstore and representative of Taschen Books will display numerous independent publications from international photographers, as well as works from renowned names. Haute Photographie offers visitors the chance to explore the latest books and discover various special editions.
Venue
Haute Photographie Amsterdam 2024
studio3000, Amsterdam Noord.
Ketelstraat 3, Amsterdam (close to Kromhouthallen)
Thursday 19 September, 12.00 – 19.00
Friday 20 September, 12.00 – 19.00
Saturday 21 September, 10.00 – 19.00
Sunday 22 September, 10.00 – 17.00
Tickets now available online!
https://www.haute-photographie.com/tickets-2
And now: a selection of the Photographers!
The Classic Household Names at Haute
Albert Watson (UK/US) 1942 (images 1-4)
Albert Watson is a familiar guest at Haute Photographie. The world famous Scottish photographer, based in New York. is particularly famous for his iconic celebrity, fashion and art photography. His work is featured in galleries and museums worldwide. Watson is ranked among the most influential and successful photographers of all time. Through the wide variety and diversity of his images an effortless versatility is reflected, yet they are always identifiable as Albert Watson photographs by their visual impact and technical virtuosity. The power of Watson lies in his ability to capture and convey his interest in what he sees, be it fashion, nature or a movie star.
Watson has been photographing for over 40 years, working for the biggest magazines in the world, like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Rolling Stone, as well as ad campaigns for world-renowned brands. He has won many awards during his career and even received the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. Throughout his career, Watson has also dedicated a big part of his time in producing a big collection of non-commissioned fine art..
Antoine Khol (France) 1973 (images 5-8)
Antoine Khol is a Paris-based photographer and graduate from the Paris School of Photography (ICART PHOTO). Having worked in the commercial field and specifically with perfume, wine, and spirit brands, the perfectionist and sleek aesthetics of such visual language are directly reflected in his personal projects as well. In his latest long-term series “Untitled”, his focus is directed on plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Khol’s long-term observations result in unique visuals full of harmony of form and colour. Minimalist in their essence yet rich in their details, the artist’s still life photographs allow for a pleasing and curiosity-igniting viewing experience.
Neeltje de Vries (The Netherlands) 1976 (images 9-12)
Amsterdam based photographer Neeltje de Vries crafts timeless narratives of women from the present, past and future. Her images seem like film stills, where nudity is a functional artistic choice that accentuates not only purity and a connection with nature but also literally liberates. Neeltje’s women aren’t trying to please the viewer.
These women exist, and they are sufficient unto themselves. They don’t want anything from you, regardless of what you want, are equally untamed and untameable.
Neeltje not only breaks free from the traditional way women are looked at, she also demonstrates that women are so much more than what they’ve been reduced to by the dominant male gaze and centuries-old stereotyping in a patriarchal society. Above all, she offers her unique perspective on what it means to be a woman, on what it means to break free from expectations, prejudices, roles and patterns.
Her training as a graphic designer leaves its mark in her images. Her works of art include strong features often missed by other photographers, such as an emphasis on composition, the use of bold cropping, and the subtle presence of graphic and/or geometric elements..
She plays with lines, shapes and frames; creates a unity between model and composition and finally arrives at a balanced harmonious image that resonates of a strong independent femininity.
New and Exciting Photographers at Haute
Anna Riabova (Latvia, France) (images 13-16)
The source of inspiration for Anna Riabova has always been fine art. Therefore, if you think the images remind you of something you have already seen somewhere, you are right – sometimes they evoke associations with her favourite artists like Vermeer, Hammershoy, Whistler, Magritte, Adrian Kurt, and Andrew White Sometimes they refer to art styles, such as symbolism, Dutch still-life paintings, and surrealism..
In her photos there is very little action, it seems that nothing happens. But the world of objects that surrounds us is filled with sublimated information. By looking at them, you can feel what happened, is happening or will happen.
Brent Souverein (The Netherlands) 1999 (images 17-20)
Self-taught multidisciplinary creative Brent Souverein will have his photographic debut at Haute, showing his photographic work for the very first time.
Today his focus is on photography, Today, he is concentrating on photography, but he has .already given free rein to his creativity by designing & creating handbags, clothing, and furniture. Since he started his photography journey seven years ago, he has learned to perceive the world around him differently. He developed a strong desire to capture beauty that surrounds him, even in dark places. With his camera over his shoulder, he wanders around, searching for images that evoke emotions within him. It is this feeling that he’s constantly pursuing as he captures the world around him.
David Ballam (South Africa) 1978 (images 21-24)
David Ballam was born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa. He first attended Cape Town University but later moved to Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape. He was introduced to the camera by Obie Oberholzer and in 2004 gained his Fine Art Degree in photography with Honours. David returned to Johannesburg and after a number of years’ experience in the commercial world of photography he reverted his attention back to his Fine Art roots. Intrigued and inspired by new faces, places, cultures and customs David focuses his attention on taking any opportunity to travel and explore the African landscape, finding and creating images that transcend the subject matter into Fine Art prints.
David is a newcomer at Haute Photographie Amsterdam 2024, and he is excited to show his latest project ‘The Cattle of Kings’, This was shot in South Sudan, and he captures the essence of both the unique landscape and culture of the Mandari people, to whom their Ankole-Watusi cattle are both the foundation of their social structure and a central axis of their culture.
Imke Wassink (The Netherlands) 1998 (images 25-28)
Imke Wassink is a self-taught street photographer from the Netherlands. Photography for her is a way of observing, interpreting and eventually getting to know new cities. With a camera in her hand, she’s recognizing the simplicity of beauty, and how it resides in the most unexpected scenes.
The images on show are part of her series “Streets in Central America”. Inspired by the vivid colours and warm light, she got to know the cities & the streets in Guatemala and Mexico. It’s her observation of the movement of people in their urban environment, characterized by graphic lines and strong shades. With these photos, she invites people to recognize the simple beauty of fleeting moments and to stand still for a moment to look and to appreciate.
John Devos
