95 million photos are uploaded to Instagram every day. Future Now industry masterclasses explore the changing parameters of images and lens-based media.
The rules of photography are being re-written on a near-daily basis. 95 million photos are uploaded to Instagram per day, with over 1 billion users worldwide. 52% of the population are now mobile internet users. What does this mean for the democratisation of photography? This year’s Future Now Symposium (28 April-1 May) brings together some of the most renowned photographers, curators and editors to discuss the ways in which photography is changing and developing.]
Gulnara Samoilova is a New York-based photographer and curator determined to spotlight women street photographers, from Instagram to the gallery floor. On Friday 30 April (14.00-15.00 BST) Diane Smyth, independent journalist and former Deputy Editor at British Journal of Photography, leads a conversation with Samoilova about balancing the scales. George Byrne’s large-format images build take urban minimalism to another level, referencing the works of Lewis Baltz and Ellsworth Kelly. In conversation with design writer Ian Volner (29 April, 18.15-19.15) Byrne discusses his collage-like practice, as well as the conceptual differences between viewing images in the gallery and on-screen.
The Leica Oskar Barnack Award is a prestigious prize acknowledging imagery that documents humanity’s rapidly changing relationship with the environment. In a year defined by responsibility and accountability – with the UN Climate change summit taking place this November – Karin Kaufmann, Director of Leica Galleries, discusses the power and potential of reportage to change the narrative and encourage tangible solutions to the environment (29 April, 11.00-12.00). Beyond these illuminating panel discussions, curators from key photography institutions join Aesthetica for Future Now 2021, including curators from the International Center of Photography, Tate, The Museum of Modern Art, The Broad Museum and The British Journal of Photography as well as headline speakers Bieke Depoorter and Shirin Neshat.
The Future Now Symposium is an exploration of 21st century culture through the mechanism of art. Live streamed events run 28 April – 1 May. On Demand sessions are available 2-31 May.
Image Credits:
1. Betty Goh, The Maze, Singapore, 2018 © Betty Goh (detail)
2. George Byrne, Hollywood Toyota, 2017.
3. George Byrne, Bank, Palm Springs, 2016.
4. Flow, 2019. Series, Beyond the Border: A Journey to Touba. Copyright © Maïmouna Guerresi Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim Gallery.
