Dear members
Three months later and not one bit safer or more relaxed; no further decisive steps, neither in COVID-19 nor in Black Lives Matter; neither in racism nor in the fight for more rights and equality for women. Also, the global measures to prevent the climate catastrophy are faltering. But we all feel, yes, we know that the world cannot go on like this, that we have to change things until it lives, breathes, smiles and stands upright again. Before we all head off into our own summer, we would like to update you regarding Spectrum-Events, two calls as well as some hints and links to the current debates and demonstrations.
Because of COVID-19 we cancelled the Spectrum-Weekend this year. Now, it will take place from September 3 to 5, 2021 in Bruzella in Valle di Muggio at Phil and Rosella Rolla’s Fondazione Rolla. Rolla’s exhibition on Lawrence Carroll was extended until September 30, 2020. The Fondazione Rolla can be visited by appointment only. www.rolla.info
Instead of the Spectrum-Weekend, we are organizing a Spectrum-Lunch. On Friday, September 18 during lunchtime, Spectrum-Members will have the opportunity to talk to Philippe Bischof, Director of Pro Helvetia, and to Madeleine Schuppli, Head of the Visual Arts department, in a Zoom-Interview for two hours. The structure and topics of this interview are still to be announced. Among other things, it will certainly be on the role of photography in Swiss culture and contemporary communication, on the roles of institutions and of lone fighters. We kindly ask you to submit your questions on every related topic. Five of them will be chosen and presented alongside questions of the Spectrum-Board. Please send your questions to spectrum@photography-in-switzerland.ch until August 28.
The General Assembly and What's Next 2021! will take place on December 4, 2020, at ECAL in Lausanne. We kindly ask you to save this date. Presentations can be submitted until September 25. Yet, at the beginning of September we will send out a special call for entries. www.ecal.ch
We live in strange times in many ways. Most of us have been blocked at home for the past five months. Travels were not possible anymore, most cultural events were cancelled or moved online and assignments disappeared into thin air. If you have experienced, thought or felt something at, with or because of work that you would like to share, feel free to do so. We post your opinions and experiences in your language on Spectrum’s website. You are welcome to submit your contributions until September 1st to spectrum@photography-in-switzerland.ch. Incoming contributions will be uploaded continuously.
Black Lives Matter: Anti-racism resources for the photography industry. George Floyd's murder has sparked global protests against racism, inequality and police brutality. The British Journal of Photography compiles a growing list of books, articles, and initiatives to learn from and support. British Journal of Photography, Black Lives Matter: Anti-racism resources for the photography industry
Joerg Colberg wrote a good article in Consentius on racism against black people, including important links to further information: Deveonte Joseph and the Class of 2020. Consentius, Deveonte Joseph and the Class of 2020
He also wrote a well worth reading review on Oliver Chanarin's new photographs, which are a form of COVID-epic. His article is an intriguing analysis on the male gaze. Consentius, Oliver Chanarin’s Male Gaze
At this point, we would also like to refer to the book Wir Fotografinnen am Frauen*Streik, edited by Yoshiko Kusano, Francesca Palazzi, Caroline Minjolle and published by Christoph Merian Verlag. With texts by rapper Big Zis, UNIA-president Vania Alleva, VPOD-president Katharina Prelic-Huber, journalists Tiziana Conte, Naomi Gregoris as well as Caroline Stevan, among others. Christophe Merian Verlag, Wir Fotografinnen am Frauen*Streik
As always, the newsletter is accompanied by a work report, this time written by Michael Pfister, Director of Photography at Zeit-Online. Many thanks Michael!
We wish you all a protective, gentle yet bubbly summer!
On behalf of the entire Spectrum-Board
Urs Stahel
President of Spectrum – Photography in Switzerland