Description
Icelandic photography is almost unknown in Poland and vice versa. The objective is to raise public awareness about Icelandic photography in Poland and Polish photography in Iceland; promote photography as a medium of artistic expression; to show similarities and differences in photo heritage of both countries; to increase public awareness of the diversity of cultures and on the role photography can play in intercultural dialogue. Target groups: all interested in art photography; representatives of different generations; professionals. Role of partners is to collaborate in concept and realisation of photo exhibitions in Warsaw and Reykjavik, to increase exchange of experts and institutional collaboration between both countries. The partnership will result in: 12 exhibitions of Icelandic and Polish photographs in Reykjavik and Warsaw; catalogue; common plans for long-term Polish-Icelandic photo-collaboration.
Summary of project results
On May 15 – June 15, 2015 the eighth edition of the Warsaw Festival of Art Photography 2015 [WFFA 2015] with Iceland as the guest of honor took place. The theme of this Festival wass “COMMON SPACE”. During the WFFA 2015, 17 exhibitions of Polish and Icelandic artists of various generation were presented. Under the Warsaw Festival 2015 there was an Open Programme - an open competition addressed to visual artists. Its purpose was to identify the most interesting photographic or multimedia projects with the use of photography and/or video that finally were presented during the WFFA 2015 Festival in Warsaw galleries.The project aims were, i .a.: show simmilarioties and differences in cultural heritage of Poland and Iceland (photo), make closer relations between photo galleries in Poland and Iceland, integration of photographic environment and scientific around art photography; show new directions in contemporary Polish and Icelandic photography. All estimated project results were achieved, that is: showining photography as an artistic tool used by contemporary artists, broaden of collaboration and intelectual and personal exchange between Poland and Iceland, starting of a longterm cooperation with Icelandic partner during the next editions of WFFA. The project gathered 25 ths. of audience.
Summary of bilateral results
The Icelandic partner - FiSL coorganized of the programme for 6 Icelandic exhibitions, appointed experts for cooperation, helped with preparation of informational and promotional materials regarding the project. In 2014 the partner was responsible for preparation of the study visits for Polish curators and was responsible for organizing exhibitions of Polish photography in Reykjavik. Thanks to this cooperation, the most attractive aspects regarding Icelandic historic and conteporary photography have been presented. The project fascilitated establishing of the longterm partnership that may result in continuous cooperation during next editions of the WFFA (specially within open calls, exhibition of young artists, thematic and problematic exhibitions).