Fotobokfestival Oslo 2019:
Fixed on Reality
Photo: Istvan Virag
Fixed on Reality was the main exhibition at Fotobokfestival Oslo 2019. The exhibition presented artists whom all had published a significant photo book project in recent years with a clear political, cultural and personal connection to their projects.
The designated artists for 2019 edition were Rona Yefman, Rafał Milach and Aaron Schuman. In each of their designated containers, they presented a commissioned showcase based on their artistic practice, which was also highly present in and connected to their chosen photo books.
Altering the viewpoint on an established reality, shows that society and its politics are not fixed, but can seemingly be changed or influenced. Hence there is not one unassailable view of the world we live in. What the selected artist books show us is that reality is not fixed; it is co-created.
The main exhibition and edition for 2019 was curated by artist Christina Leithe Hansen.
Seminar
Fixed on Reality: History Shaped in the Present
Alongside the main exhibition, a seminar was arranged during the festival titled Fixed on Reality – History Shaped in the Present. The seminar took place across two afternoons at Kulturhuset and featured photographers and practitioners from other academic fields who had been invited to comment on the general photo book and on specific photo books presented.
The first part of the seminar started with the lecture of Rona Yefman, whom was also one of the designated artists at the main exhibition, followed by artist Bettina Camilla H. Vestergaard whom presented her latest book As I Wander Thru The Park (2016).
The second part of the seminar started with the lecture of Katharina Sieverding: Photobook as a Social Sculpture, followed by Maria Pasenau presentation of her book: with king regrets Pasenau. Zofia Cielatkowska then followed up with the discussion Beyond the Photographic Image with invited guests: Heidi Bale Amundsen and Bjørn Schiermer Andersen. The discussion touched upon inter alia such issues as responsibility beyond the visual image, critical analysis of photography in contemporary contexts, redundancy of visual material and its impact on identity and society.
The seminar was led by freelance curator, researcher and art critic Zofia Cielatkowska.
Photo: Julie Hrncirova
Satellite program & other events
Also connected to the festival is a satellite program where relevant participants participate to the festival with their own events.
For 2019, the festival was delighted to be collaborating with:
Fotogalleriet
Oslo Kunstforening (OK)
Tronsmo Books & Comics
Fotografiens Hus
Kulturhuset
CYAN Studio
New Book Releases and Launches
During Fotobokfestival Oslo, we want to give our FFF members the opportunity to launch and present newly released photo books. In 2019, we were therefore pleased to announce a new round of hot-of-the-press publications. The events was open to all audience and was held at Kulturhuset.
Photo: Jan Khür