On November 25, 2022, the 2022 Jimei Arles International Photography Season officially kicked off in Jimei, Xiamen. In addition to the 2022 Arles Book Prize, the remaining five exhibitions are all related to Latin America, bringing people closer to distant traditional culture and modern civilization, the situation of minorities and those infectious individual stories, so that Chinese audiences and photography enthusiasts can feel the pulse of world photography.
The five exhibitions are: Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region, The Earth Where the Sun Was Born, Like a River, GH. Gail and Hiroshima, and, according to her, what I felt. The surging news reporter will introduce these fine exhibitions from Arles one by one at the exhibition site.
Geometric Forest: The Struggle in Mapuche Region
Artist group: Ritual Inhabitual
Curator: Sergio Valenzula Escobedo
Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region. Exhibition view. The pictures in the exhibition hall of this article are all pictures of surging news reporter Wu Dong
Introduction of the work
In order to meet the development needs of the pulp industry, the industry relies on cloning technology to plant pine and eucalyptus trees on a large scale, resulting in the ecology of the temperate rainforest in Araucanía, southern Chile, which has been gradually replaced by monoplanted forests. And long before the establishment of Chile and Argentina, the Mapuche ("sons of the earth") lived on this land. Today, they work to preserve the diversity of species represented by local medicinal plants. At the same time, the illegal timber trade has frequently triggered violent clashes between the Chilean military's counterterrorism special forces, ethnic organizations and the private armed forces of industrial owners. Two worldviews collide in this vast jungle: one extracts natural resources from a free-market economic point of view; The other side advocates a spiritual emphasis on the relationship between people and the environment. Artist group Ritual Informal exposes the political and ecological consequences of this monoculture and leads viewers to discuss today's views on consumption.
Ritual Informal Artist Group. Paulo Ferutaru, rapper of the group Wechekeche ñi Trawün, Santiago, Chile, 2016. Image courtesy of the artist.
Ritual Informal Artist Group. "Foki kochkilla" (Chilean bellflower). Image courtesy of the French (Paris) National Museum of Natural History and the artist.
Ritual Informal Artist Group, "Biotechnology" series, Chile, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
Ritual Informal Artist Group. "Biotechnology" series, Chile, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
Ritual Informal Artist Group. "Geometric Forest" series, Chile, 2018. Image courtesy of the artist.
At the exhibition, Ritual Inhabitual uses classical craftsmanship to photograph the people and local plants of the Mapuche tribe in Chile. The photographs are arranged on the inside of an area enclosed by blue panels, while the green panels on the outside show a study of herbal specimens taken in connection with the local cross-cultural medical department in Mapuche, a treatment commonly used by shamans that can be applied to clinical alternative medicine, a treatment that has also attracted the attention of Western scientists and naturalists. On the other side of the exhibition floor, several panels are hung with photos of the current rainforest landscape and logging, and these wooden panels themselves seem to be related to the theme of the work. In the center of the area, seven videos are played in a wooden frame, standing like a totem in the exhibition hall. Several people in the video answer the interview question posed by the artist group in turn: "How will we live together?" ”
Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region. Exhibition view.
Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region. Exhibition view.
Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region. Exhibition view.
Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region. Exhibition view.
2. The earth where the sun was born
Artist: Julien Lombardi
The earth where the sun was born. Exhibition view.
Introduction of the work
Located in central Mexico, the Wilrikuta desert valley is the abode and creation place of the gods in the mythology of the Huichol Indians. To commemorate the birth of the sun and fire, Indians make an annual pilgrimage here. This desirable land, rich in natural and cultural resources, was conquered by the Spaniards and left many stories. Artist Julien Lombardi combines photographs, videos and installations to create an immersive experience that allows us to experience the history of this sacred land in the smallest detail.
Julien Lombardi, Blue Deer: Kauyumari, series "The Earth where the Sun was born", Mexico, 2017-2021. Image courtesy of the artist.
Julien Lombardi, Anatomy, "Earth where the Sun was born" series, Mexico, 2017-2021. Image courtesy of the artist.
Julien Lombardi, Lost, series "The Earth where the Sun was born", Mexico, 2017-2021. Image courtesy of the artist.
Julien Lombardi, After the Ceremony, "The Earth of the Sun Born" series, Mexico, 2017-2021. Image courtesy of the artist.
Julien Lombardi, Cabinet of Curiosities (partial), series "Earth where the Sun was born", Mexico, 2017-2021. Image courtesy of the artist.
"The Earth of the Birth of the Sun" is the largest of the five exhibitions. Julien Lombardi uses several chapters to experience the land of Wilrikuta. The story begins with a series of tourist-like perspectives looking out the car window, followed by successive photographs that depict a vague image of the region and the coexistence of opposing opposites. The first half of the exhibition offers a story possibility. As the background of the exhibition changed from white to black, Lombardi used three different methods to shoot three small chapters in the second half of the exhibition. In a chapter titled "The Cabinet of Curiosities," he brings a scanner to the site, scans objects on the ground, and puts them back in place, a way that is different from scientific exploration, in which the artist hopes to shed light on the land's relationship to globalization. In a chapter titled "Ceremony," the author photographs the grand ceremony after the Whirchor reached an agreement with the Christian community. Not wanting to interfere with the celebration and the corresponding tribute, he captured them with only an infrared motion detection camera. In the final chapter, titled "Invisible Light," the artist shoots a video in which sporadic spots of light pass through the lens, followed by darkness falling again. He drew inspiration from the myths and creation stories of the Holy Land to document these scenes.
The earth where the sun was born. Exhibition view.
The earth where the sun was born. Exhibition view.
"Cabinet of Curiosities" chapter. The site of the exhibition "The Earth of the Birth of the Sun".
Ceremonial chapter. The site of the exhibition "The Earth of the Birth of the Sun".
In the exhibitions Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region and The Earth of the Birth of the Sun, we see the possibilities created by investigative photography based on sociology and anthropology, when combined with subjective narratives, a unique form in contemporary photography. It combines solid local research with a clear personal perspective. At the same time, artists also make full use of image language, from the selection of shooting equipment, the selection of subjects, the use of shooting techniques, and even the materials and exhibition layout, all convey specific semantics. This image language is different from the mode of text description, visually and intuitively triggering story associations, giving the audience a unique experience.
Thematically, "Geometric Forest: The Struggle of the Mapuche Region" and "The Land of the Birth of the Sun" focus on socio-cultural issues in specific regions of Latin America, while the other two exhibitions, "Like a River" and "GH. Gail and Hiroshima", focus on the situation of minorities.
Third, like a river
Artist: Daniel Jack Lyons
Curator: Taous Dahmani
The scene of the exhibition "Like a River".
Photographer Daniel Jack Lyons has seen firsthand queer and transgender youth torn between hope and disillusionment, trapped in traditional ideas and heritage, struggling to assert their "difference" in society. Lyons offered to take portraits of them, with the subject choosing the location, costume and pose, so the work was the result of a collaboration between the two parties. The artist himself is a member of sexual minorities, creating a safe place for these young people and opening up possibilities for exploring their own identity.
Daniel Jack Lyons. Leo on the Rope, July 2019, "Like a River" series. Image courtesy of Loose Joints and the artist.
Daniel Jack Lyons. Wendell of Women's Clothing, July 2019, "Like a River" series. Image courtesy of Loose Joints and the artist.
4. G. Gail and Hiroshima
Artists: Gal Marinelli Cipreste and Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro
Curator: Taous Dahmani
View of the exhibition "GH. Gail and Hiroshima".
View of the exhibition "GH. Gail and Hiroshima".
"G" and "H" are the initials of the artist duo Gail (Siprest Marinelli) and Hiroshima (Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro). "Hiroshima" is Rodrigo's Japanese nickname, derived from the alternative appearance of TA in childhood, making it impossible to distinguish the gender of TA, and insisting on non-standard identity awareness, growing up in childhood when he was stoned and shouted; Gail is transgender. They live in a country where violence against sexual minorities can be justified, while the two proudly choose their own way of life and work to free themselves from the stigma of their past. They use the symbolic power of images to heal wounds, balancing subtle stories with violent themes.
Gail Siprest Marinelli with Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro. GH, "GH. Gail and Hiroshima" series, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.
Gail Siprest Marinelli with Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro. Gayle, "GH. Gale and Hiroshima" series, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.
Gail Siprest Marinelli with Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro. Dead Nature, "GH. Gail and Hiroshima" series, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.
Gail Siprest Marinelli with Rodrigo Masina Pinheiro. Sculpture of Fabric and Gravel, "GH. Gail and Hiroshima" series, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
Fifth, according to what she said, and what I felt
Artist: Celeste Leeuwenburg
Curator: Taous Dahmani
The scene of the exhibition "According to her, and what I feel".
Introduction of the work
As She Tells and What I Feel is a work created by Celeste Levenburg with her mother, visual artist Delia Cancela. After finding a self-made film in her mother's library in the '70s, she decided to give a contemporary interpretation of the short film, which bears the history of punk and feminism. The final work was a collaboration of a dozen non-professional dancers – a procession, an act and a dance, and Cancella and Levenburg himself appeared in the film. This work not only boldly touches the boundaries of documentary, but also challenges the boundaries between film and photography.
Celeste Levenburg. Stills from the video "According to her, and what I feel", Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist
Celeste Levenburg. Stills from the video "According to her, and what I feel", Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
Celeste Levenburg. Stills from the video "According to her, and what I feel", Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
Celeste Levenburg. Stills from the video "According to her, and what I feel", Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.
This is perhaps the "most personalized" exhibition in the entire unit. The exhibition hall consists of two vertical images and a set of photographs. On the screen, several dancers sometimes dance, sometimes as still as sculptures. In captivating dance moves, their bodies connect with people and objects on the same screen and on another screen. Continuation of life, feminism... These associations emerge in the minds of the audience with their ever-changing postures and dance postures. Physical acts work with dance and documentary forms, while photography as slices freezes specific poses. Coupled with the rhythmic music on site, the whole exhibition becomes very infectious, making people feel the emotion and intimacy revealed in it.
The scene of the exhibition "According to her, and what I feel".
"Jimei Arles has been very successful and fortunate to establish a cooperation with the internationally influential and academic Arles Photo Festival. In this way, we can bring the best works in the world to China, and we can also bring the best photographers from China to the world and make their voices heard. "As Rong Rong, co-director of Jimei Arles International Photography Season, said, these masterpieces from the Arles Photo Festival in France have opened a window for us to see the world and see world photography." In this real world full of uncertainty, we believe that only photography, which can cross borders and language communication difficulties, and international cultural exchange activities carried out through photography as a medium, are the goals and directions that we can determine and strive for! Gu Zheng, artistic director of Jimei Arles International Photography Season and professor at Fudan University, mentioned in the foreword.
Exhibition period: November 25, 2022 to January 3, 2023
Exhibition Location: Jimei New City Citizen Square Exhibition Hall (No. 99 Lide Road, Jimei District, Xiamen City), Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Center (3rd floor, podium building, Building 2, Xinglinwan Operation Center, Jimei District, Xiamen City)