Artpress at Arles: Episode 1 – A Model Festival?
The 50th edition of the Rencontres d'Arles, which began in 1970, is being celebrated this year. Raymond Depardon acknowledges the festival's role in establishing photography's status in France. Early years were marked by protests, including incidents of a burning screen and tomatoes being hurled, as noted by Jean-Claude Gautrand. Dissent persists through open letters and petitions; in 2018, François Delebecque criticized the focus on documentaries, a collective called for equitable pay for photographers, and La Part des femmes addressed gender disparity. Since taking over in 2015, Director Sam Stourdzé has initiated the 'Construire l'image' series, raised fees for photographers, and boosted female representation from 20% to almost 47%. Notably, protests in 1995 against the emphasis on film led to board resignations, with Joan Fontcuberta assuming artistic direction in 1996.
Key facts
- Rencontres d'Arles celebrates its 50th edition in 2019.
- Festival launched in 1970.
- Raymond Depardon says the festival played a role in recognizing photography in France before Parisian institutions.
- Jean-Claude Gautrand recalls early editions with protests, including a screen set on fire and tomatoes thrown.
- In 2018, three open letters or petitions targeted the festival.
- François Delebecque criticized the programming for favoring documentary.
- A petition demanded fair remuneration for exhibiting photographers, who previously received no fees.
- La Part des femmes highlighted gender imbalance: three women vs. twelve men in major exhibitions.
- Director Sam Stourdzé has been in charge since 2015.
- 50th edition includes sequence 'Construire l'image' with Valérie Belin and Randa Mirza.
- Photographer fees increased and female representation rose from 20% to nearly 47%.
- In 1995, protests against Michel Nuridsany's focus on film and video led to board resignations.
- Joan Fontcuberta became artistic director in 1996.
- Article argues French photography milieu is conservative, not the festival.
Entities
Artists
- Raymond Depardon
- Jean-Claude Gautrand
- François Delebecque
- Valérie Belin
- Randa Mirza
- Michel Nuridsany
- Joan Fontcuberta
Institutions
- Rencontres d'Arles
- La Part des femmes
- Ministère de la Culture
- The Anonymous Project
Locations
- Arles
- France
- Paris
- Maison des peintres
Sources
- artpress —