‘The Social: Encountering Photography’ will create a dynamic exchange of photographic practice and experimentation, embracing varied social contexts and activities. The event will provide opportunities for engagement with high quality lens-based practice in ways that are accessible and relevant to a broad public, and will attract regional and national tourism. It will bring artists and artworks of national and international stature to the region, whilst creating opportunities for regionally based photographers to exhibit their work.
Sunderland will be the creative hub of the event, enabling NEPN to collaborate with a range of cultural and business partners, including the new Northern Centre of Photography at the University of Sunderland, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, The Bridges Shopping Centre and the National Glass Centre. Collaborations with Locus+, Durham Art Gallery, Arts Centre Washington and PH Space/NewBridge Projects, amongst others, will extend the reach of the event across the region.
‘Encountering Photography’ will see the photographic activation of social spaces both inside and outside, private and public. By placing new photography projects in key public and social spaces, the event will provide easy and chance access, designed to allow for a broader interaction with photographic work and will act as interventions in the daily social and commuting life of the general public. Following an international open call for proposals, ‘The Social’ will support the presentation of a number of new projects by emerging and established photographers.
A programme of associated events will offer opportunities for professional and creative development, public participation and photographic sharing.
The Social: Encountering Photography will take place 18 October – 16 November, with the opening weekend Friday 18 – Sunday 20 October 2013.