12/6/2002
PHE02, A Feminine Focus
Different venues, Madrid
This year's PHotoEspana 2002 International Festival of Photography, is centered on the theme "Femeninos" (A Feminine Focus) dealing with identity from different perspectives on gender-from the "glamorous" gaze of Lillian Bassman to the delicate abstractions of Rafael Navarro; from the classic simplicity of August Sander to the volcanic explosion of Nobuyoshi Araki. These artists are some of the many who can give you an idea of this year's festival content...
Madrid
Venues: streets, squares, museums, galleries, and some "extra" spaces, like in the metro...
PHE02, A Feminine Focus
This year's PHotoEspaña 2002 International Festival of Photography, is centered on the theme "Femeninos" (A Feminine
Focus) dealing with identity from different perspectives on
gender-from the "glamorous" gaze of Lillian Bassman to the delicate
abstractions of Rafael Navarro; from the classic simplicity of August
Sander to the volcanic explosion of Nobuyoshi Araki.
These artists are some of the many who can give you an idea of this
year's festival content; you will be able to see their work starting from
the official inauguration on June 12.
We are going to tell you some of
the secrets that you'll soon be able to see with your own eyes. The
presentation began the only way possible, by looking at photos. With
the video projection, all those present were able to enjoy a quick but
effective stroll through a good selection of what you'll be able see
starting from June 12. The presentation certainly triggered the
photographic anxiety in many of those present.
The director of
PHotoEspaña, Alberto Anaut, thanked "the various public
and private entities, as well as the collaborating galleries, the media, and the public, who year
after year exceed our expectations" for the success that the consolidation of the foremost
photography competition held in Spain presumes. From the middle of June to the end of
August, Madrid will become the capital of quality photography, flooding its streets, plazas,
museums, galleries, and some "extra" spaces, like in the metro.
Oliva MarÃa Rubio, the Festival's Artistic Director for the second year, wanted to justify and
explore the competition's them more in depth, as well as review all the exhibitions from the
Official Section. She took PHE's Managing Director, Pablo Berástegui, up on his offer to
round off the novelties of the Festival and its parallel activities, (PhotoMarathon, Nighttime
projections, etc.) emphasizing their "festivity." Oliva Arauna, the voice of the galleries- an
essential component in the recognition of current trends in photography- directs her own
gallery, Oliva Arauna Gallery, and, in this manner, represented the Festival Off (this year
comprised by 28 galleries and 4 invited exhibition halls).
This festival is supported by two large institutions, represented by Juan Carrete (Director of
the Centro Cultural Conde Duque) for the Madrid City Council, and Marina Chinchilla
(Assistant Manager of State Museums) for the Ministry of Culture, Education, and Sports.
Names like Nobuyoshi Araki, Helmut Hewton, GarcÃa-Alix, Nan Goldin, Lillian
Bassman and Elina Brotherus make this gender-based proposal excel.
PHE02, A Feminine Focus
Madrid