The Amsterdam's international photography fair and festival returns with a focus on never before seen work, and an extensive festival programme celebrating photography in all its forms.
NEW TO UNSEEN: PREMIERES
Unseen is proud to introduce the Unseen Premieres, work that has not previously
been shown in a gallery, institution or online. Unseen will mark the exclusive
debut of this work. A leaflet will be distributed at the fair, indicating the
premiering works and including statements of premiering artists. With the leaflet,
visitors can tour the more than 60 premiering works spread amongst the 53
gallery stands, giving an overview of the newest of the new. During the late
opening of the fair on Friday 19 September, the Unseen Premiere Presentations
by exhibiting artists will provide visitors with an exclusive insight into the stories
behind some of the works that make their debut at the fair this year.
UNSEEN CAMPAIGN TURNED INSTALLATION
Unseen revealed the first image of the 2014 campaign project in June, made by
Italian photographer Lorenzo Vitturi (b. 1980, Venice). More than the traditional
single image, the campaign visualises the various stages of Vitturi’s work process.
At Unseen, Vitturi will translate the original sculpture into a large-scale
installation on the festival grounds, concluding the inspiring collaboration
between a multidisciplinary artist and a fair and festival embracing new
photography.
EXCITING FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
The Unseen Living Room, an informal meeting place for the exchange of dialogue
and ideas, packs an exciting programme of artist talks and round table and panel
discussions from Thursday 18 September to Sunday 21 September. Confirmed
speakers include Simon Baker (Curator of Photography and International Art,
Tate, London), Matthew Leifheit (Photo Editor at Vice), Thomas Seelig (Curator at
Fotomuseum Winterthur) and Hito Steyerl (artist and writer). The Unseen Book
Market celebrates the independent publisher, beautiful books and their creators,
with more than 60 publishers, including Mörel Books, Self Publish, Be Happy,
Goliga and Rorhof, and a programme of performances, discussions and book
launches. Visitors can also enjoy unique exhibitions, interactive installations and
an array of hand-selected bars and food stands on the festival grounds. For more
information about the extensive festival programme, please visit
www.unseenamsterdam.com/programme.
01 / 04COLLECTING TIPS & TRICKS
Unseen encourages aspiring collectors to take their first steps towards collecting
contemporary photography. The Unseen Collection comprises of around 70
works contributed by galleries participating at Unseen Photo Fair, for prices
under €1,000. This exclusive collection will be on show on the festival grounds,
accompanied by details about the works and more information about the art of
collecting. With the Unseen Collection, Unseen hopes to reach a wider audience
interested in contemporary photography. Those curious about making their first
photography purchase are guided through the process.
INTRODUCING THE UNSEEN MAGAZINE
Unseen constantly strives to innovate and excite. By taking the standard art fair
catalogue and elevating it to a magazine format, Unseen is able to offer genuine
insight into the artists presented at the fair and focus on themes including new
photography and the photography art market. Experts and commentators from
the art photography arena have contributed to the magazine including Simon
Bainbridge (British Journal of Photography), Francis Hodgson (Financial Times),
Melanie Bühler (Lunch Bytes), Andy Adams (Flak Photo), Martin Jürgens
(Conservator of Photographs at the Rijksmuseum), among many others. The
inaugural edition of Unseen Magazine, the first international publication
dedicated to new photography and the photography art market, will makes its
debut at Unseen 2014.
A PHOTO FAIR WITH A FESTIVAL FLAIR
Unseen Photo Fair brings together more than 50 galleries presenting new
photography. This year’s edition promises to be especially exciting as Unseen
presents more than 60 world premieres of photographic works that have never
been seen before. The gallery stands are complemented by artist-run initiatives
in the Unseen Niches, and the Unseen Collection, a unique collection of high-
quality works for prices up to 1,000 Euros.
Several prestigious awards founded to foster the careers of emerging
photographers will be presented at Unseen. These include the Outset | Unseen
Exhibition Fund (a platform for emerging photography talent and young curators),
the BankGiro Loterij Talent Collection (a collection of 16 photos by 8 promising
Netherlands-based artists), the New Talent Photography Award (an initiative of
ING Private Banking), and the launch of Foam Magazine’s annual Talent issue.
Celebrating photography in all its forms, the Unseen festival is a place for the
exchange of dialogue, artistic expression, knowledge and ideas. The extensive
programme includes exhibitions, a series of artist talks, round table and panel
discussions with professionals in the field of contemporary photography, and
presentations. The Unseen Book Market, a celebration of independent publishers,
beautiful books and their creators, is an integral part of Unseen’s festivities and is
the host of the Unseen Dummy Award exhibition, a preselection of dummies
submitted to a call for unpublished photobooks. The winner of the 2014 Unseen
Dummy Award will be announced at Unseen.
Unseen is a joint venture between Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, office
for business development in the arts Platform A, and Vandejong Creative Agency.
PARTNERS
Blockbusterfonds
Westergasfabriek
City of Amsterdam
And many more.
Image: Untitled (Sophie), 2012 © Augustin Rebetez/Galerie Nicola von Senger, Zürich
International Press Contact
Rhiannon Pickles
+ 31 (0)6 1582 1202
info@picklespr.com
Dutch Press Contact
Merel Kappelhoff
+ 31 (0)20 551 6500
merel@unseenamsterdam.com
Preview Day: Wednesday 17 September, Press Preview 11.00-17.00,
Press Presentation 11.45
PRESS PREVIEW
The day programme on Wednesday 17 September includes the following:
11.30: Doors open
11.45: Welcome presentation by Sasha Stone, Managing Director Unseen
12.00-12.30: Entry to the fair in the presence of gallerists and the Unseen Board
of Directors
17.00: End of press preview
Press passes and information packets can be collected upon the presentation of
a valid identification from 11.30 on Wednesday 17 September. You can access the
Unseen fair and festival during regular opening hours with your Unseen press
pass.
Westergasfabriek
Klönneplein 1 - 1014 DD Amsterdam
OPENING HOURS AND VISITOR INFORMATION
Public Days
Thursday 18 September, 12.00-20.00
Friday 19 September, 12.00-22.00
Saturday 20 September, 11.00-20.00
Sunday 21 September, 11.00-17.00
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to Unseen give access not only to Unseen Photo Fair but also to all
components of the festival programme. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.unseenamsterdam.com. Online rates are as follows:
-‐ Day ticket with access to fair and festival (€16.50)
-‐ Double day ticket 2=1 (€30.00)
-‐ Day ticket + Unseen Magazine (€21.00)
Passe-partout ticket incl. Unseen Magazine (€36.00)