Founded in 1997 by four members of the Toronto art group, including the gallery owner Stephen Bulger, this important Canadian event brings together over 100 photography exhibitions, welcoming photojournalists and contemporary artists alike. While some of the shows open in April, the first weekend of May remains the official opening of the festival. Throughout the month, exhibitions, workshops and conferences are held in the capital of Ontario. To prevent visitors from losing their way, the organizers have stuck to a few main drags, with each corner brimming with art. Somewhere in the mix is the CONTACT gallery, which throughout the year features the work of several North American artists.
For the most recent edition, artistic director Bonnie Rubenstein has chosen to address the theme of identity. “The construction of identity is deeply linked to the taking and exhibition of photographs, now more than ever in our media-saturated culture […] Photographs influence human behavior and the way we adapt to the world that surrounds us.”
The festival seems to strike a balance between promoting the work of local, international, emerging and established photographers, like Gordon Parks and Stan Douglas, who are on display this year. The photographers are also invited to exhibit their work in alternative galleries that CONTACT gets involved with on its own program. There are nearly 150 exhibitors taking advantage of the event’s reputation to share their work, and spectators have the opportunity to discover new talents. According to festival director Darcy Killen, the event welcomes more than one million visitors every year.
Public installations are also on display at public sites like the Pearson International Airport, where travelers on layover can contemplate the Polaroids of the Quebec photojournalist Émilie Régnier, as well as the studio work of Martina Bacigalupo, both based in Africa, or experience the super Richard Renaldi series Touching Strangers, on display in one of downtown’s main streets.
Photographers also have the opportunity to register to present a portfolio to a jury with members from Paris, London, Los Angeles and China. These meetings allow photographers to expand their professional networks on an international scale and perhaps even see their work published.
All year long, the CONTACT photography festival is also a partner of several events designed to promote photography and collaborates regularly with Toronto galleries and museums.
FESTIVAL
Contact Photography Festival 2014
Until May 31st, 2014
www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com
CONTACT GALLERY
80 Spadina Avenue, Suite 310
Toronto, ON , Canada
[email protected]
