Rencontres d'Arles 2026: Global South, Archives, and William Klein Centennial

The Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles 2026 festival places Africa at the center of its program, reflecting a broader trend in the art world toward the Global South and its autonomous narratives. This follows the prominent role of Congolese artists at the Paris Design Week and the Grand Palais's first major solo exhibition dedicated to African American artist Mickalene Thomas. The festival also addresses themes of migration, exile, and identity rewriting. Interest in Made-in-Africa is growing, particularly among young people—under-25s represent 50% of the continent's population—and an expanding middle class, which already accounts for more than 35% of the population. This shift affects not only creative production but also the way the continent is represented: no longer through an external gaze, but through images constructed by its own protagonists. The festival also features a centennial celebration of photographer William Klein, along with exhibitions by Bruno Boudjelal, Harry Gruyaert, Martine Barrat, Meghan Riepenhoff, Olenka Carrasco, and Olivier Metzger, among others. The event underscores the importance of archives and the rewriting of identity in contemporary photography.