The FUTURES photography foundation has been selected as the artistic director for the International Festival of Photography in Turin.
The city of Turin is organizing a brand new international photography festival: “FOTOGRAFIA. FESTIVAL INTERNAZIONALE DI TORINO” and FUTURES foundation has been chosen to the role of artistic director. This event is promoted by Steering Committee composed of the Piedmont Region, City of Turin, The Torino Chamber of Commerce, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT, and Intesa Sanpaolo, coordinated by the organizing body, the Fondazione per la Cultura Torino. The FUTURES photography foundation was selected as the winner among more than 20 proposals received. The Evaluation Committee includes leading professionals in the field, such as Dr. Giorgio Van Straten, Prof. Luca Beatrice, Dr. Chiara Massimello, Prof. Nicoletta Leonardi, and Dr. Dott.ssa Giovanna Calvenzi.
The festival, which will be international and annual, is scheduled for the spring of 2024, with a perspective of at least three years. The event aims to bring a new and exciting dimension to photography in Turin and Piedmont, with a focus on young talents in European photography and an avant-garde perspective on the international scene. The festival will embody the cardinal principles of FUTURES foundation, which promotes diversity, inclusivity, and experimentation in contemporary photography, giving importance to the plurality of cultures and youngs’ gaze, visions that characterize a project that reflects the values of the European Union. Thanks to the plurality of members who are part of FUTURES, the festival will have an unconventional perspective on photography by redrawing the boundaries drawn so far.
As part of the festival, a series of events will take place across various locations, including site-specific temporary exhibitions, round tables, talks, educational activities, and networking moments, which will be linked to a different theme each year. This will provide a unique opportunity for photographers and enthusiasts to engage with contemporary photography in all its forms.
Menno: "It is very important for us to build a wild European ecosystem. Of course, most of FUTURES activities are digital, but you need physical encounters to truly build relationships. This is really important for our members, but especially for the artists, as they can meet as many different curators as possible and create new audiences. So, we saw an opportunity to create a huge and interesting festival. Another aspect was the support of the city. There is a connection with the city of Turin, the rich collections of museums, and all the enthusiastic people who are here. We see opportunities to make this an event that would be a highlight on the international calendar when it comes to photography."
Salvatore: "It was interesting for us to participate in the call because FUTURES aims to create a European network that connects and encourages exchange between institutions, particularly among artists. We wanted to initiate a debate on contemporary photography in a city like Turin, which heavily invests in the world of photography and holds a central position both geographically and socially at the European level."
