Les Rencontres d'Arles 2026: Discoveries Prize and Off-Piste Political Urgency
The 57th edition of Les Rencontres d'Arles showcases a varied exhibition lineup, prominently featuring the Discoveries Prize, which is curated by Nadine Hounkpatin. Jordan Beal’s work, 'Lineaments', employs AI and Polaroid SX-70 to confront stereotypes associated with Martinique. The prize was awarded to Magali Paulin for 'Matter, Phantoms', which highlights remnants from the Jardin d'agronomie tropicale. Additionally, Hu Weiyi's 'The Inner Darkroom' and Aman Alam's 'Ozymandias' investigate themes of physicality and personal history. Thato Toeba's collages aim to reclaim historical narratives, while 'Ghana! Dreaming Independence 1957-75' and 'L is for Look' focus on lesser-known stories and imagery from children's literature. Off-piste events tackle contemporary political matters. Alfredo Jaar's 'The End' was presented on 09 July, with the festival continuing until 04 October.
Key facts
- 57th edition of Les Rencontres d'Arles
- Discoveries Prize curated by Nadine Hounkpatin
- Jordan Beal's 'Lineaments' uses AI and Polaroid SX-70
- Magali Paulin won Discoveries Prize for 'Matter, Phantoms'
- Hu Weiyi's 'The Inner Darkroom' dissolves negatives in gastric juices
- Aman Alam's 'Ozymandias' charts grandmother's decline
- Thato Toeba's collages use personal photographs and found objects
- Ghana! Dreaming Independence 1957-75 exhibition
- L is for Look exhibition features children's book imagery
- William Wegman's 'Alphabet Soup' film with Weimaraner dogs
- Suspects – Van Gogh, Tricksters and Co at Fondation Vincent van Gogh
- Alfredo Jaar presented 'The End' at Théâtre Antique d'Arles on 09 July
- LUMA Arles shows Stan Douglas, Gerhard Richter, Saodat Ismailova
- Lee Ufan Arles features Park Chan-Wook and Pooya Abbasian
- OpenWalls collaboration with Galerie Huit and WePresent
- Kyotographie installation at Vague features Rinko Kawauchi and Tokuko Ushioda
- Reporters sans frontières posters from Gaza
- Diako Art and Artaban Gallery's 'DILEMMA' by Iranian artists
- Adrien Vautier's Ukraine war images at Saint-Julien Church
- Festival runs until 04 October
Entities
Artists
- Jordan Beal
- Magali Paulin
- Hu Weiyi
- Aman Alam
- Thato Toeba
- Reinhard Matz
- Adam Broomberg
- Sarah Moon
- William Wegman
- Sarah Lucas
- Cindy Sherman
- Nick Knight
- Jacques Lizène
- Alfredo Jaar
- Stan Douglas
- Gerhard Richter
- Saodat Ismailova
- Park Chan-Wook
- Pooya Abbasian
- Nancy Floyd
- Rinko Kawauchi
- Tokuko Ushioda
- Lee Ufan
- Omar Victor Diop
- Lee Shulman
- Christopher Anderson
- JH Engström
- Collier Schorr
- Justine Kurland
- Aaron Stern
- David Campany
- Luo Bonian
- Adrien Vautier
- Édouard Glissant
- Nadine Hounkpatin
- Naseem
- Auguste Biaggi
- James Barnor
- Gladys Kwakor Owoo
- Mario Todeschini
- Victor & Simon
- Grégoire d'Ablon
- Adele le Bras
Institutions
- Les Rencontres d'Arles
- British Journal of Photography (BJP)
- Ground Control
- Jimei x Arles International Photography Festival
- Maison des Peintures
- Fondation Vincent van Gogh
- LUMA Arles
- Lee Ufan Arles
- Galerie Huit
- WePresent
- Kyotographie
- Vague
- International Center of Photography (ICP)
- Encremarket
- Reporters sans frontières
- Diako Art
- Artaban Gallery
- OFF Festival Arles
- Saint-Julien Church of Arles
- Théâtre Antique d'Arles
- Prix Pictet
- Stevenson Gallery
- Clémentine de la Féronnière
- PGI
- Tate Modern
- Guerlain
- Lee Ufan Arles x Guerlain Art & Environnement Prize
Locations
- Arles
- France
- Martinique
- Nogent-sur-Marne
- Jardin d'agronomie tropicale
- Ghana
- Gold Coast
- Ukraine
- Gaza
- Iran
- Chile
- USSR
- Soviet Union
- Japan
- South Korea
- China
- Jimei
- Accra
- Jamestown
- Cape Town
- Amsterdam
- New York
- Tokyo
- Setagaya