The second annual New York Photo Festival kicked off yesterday in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood with a plethora of exhibitions, and, naturally, we went to check out the up and coming contemporary artists and trends in photography.
When we arrived at the powerHouse Arena for check-in we received our festival badges, and then immediately began our journey from building to building. With four main exhibition pavilions and several satellite exhibitions peppering the area, every corner turned had something new to look at and take in.
The main pavilions are dedicated to this year’s curators, each housing pieces by several photographers that work together as a whole under the curator’s theme. Such themes included: I don’t really know what kind of girl I am, curated by Jody Quon—a series of photos that conveyed the obstacles girls encounter on the road to womanhood; and All Over the Place!, curated by William A. Ewing—juxtaposing work from both historical figures and contemporary photographers in order to show that fresh ideas don’t necessarily have to come from contemporary work.
In case our eyes needed to take a break from all the hard work of looking at the kaleidoscope of photography on display (not to mention the exercise we were getting from walking around!), we could sit down and relax while listening to one of the several speakers lined up to talk at the St. Ann’s Warehouse, many of them featured photographers themselves. Or, both aspiring and professional photographers could have their work critiqued by experts at the Review Pavilion for a chance to win the NYPH’09 Portfolio Review Award. Whatever the case, there was something planned for everyone.
Needless to say, hours later our visual appetites were satiated by the time we finished making the rounds to each building. One thing’s for sure—if you’re thinking about hitting up the festival you should definitely invest in the weekend pass so you can make the most of the exhibitions and hear the speakers, or at least to get a cool badge with your picture on it. It ends on Sunday, so go, go, go!
For more info, visit the site here….
