The art of photography evolving.
The world of photography is gearing up to celebrate its evolution and expressive power in the 13th edition of MIA Photo Fair, scheduled from April 11th to 14th at Allianz MiCo in Milan, with Excellence Magazine joining as a media partner. An international art event dedicated to photography, organized by Fiere di Parma, promises to be an extraordinary overview of major contemporary themes through the lens of the most influential visual artists of the moment. With 100 exhibitors, 8 exhibitions and special projects, 4 awards, and over 70 galleries from Italy and abroad, MIA Photo Fair 2024 presents itself as an unmissable meeting point for photography art enthusiasts from around the world.
The central theme of this edition, “Changing”, reflects the powerful ability of photography to document and inspire reflections on the changing social, environmental, and cultural realities of our time.
MIA Photo Fair’s special sections offer a wide-ranging overview of different approaches to contemporary photography. “Oltre i confini del Mediterraneo “ is an exciting novelty curated by Rischa Paterlini, focusing on over 30 photographers from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions including Gabriele Basilico and Johanna-Maria Fritz. Through their images, the audience is taken on a journey exploring the daily life and experiences of these communities, emphasizing the unifying power of photography in transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
Curated by Domenico de Chirico, “Beyond Photography – Dialogue” showcases works that go beyond the boundaries of conventional photography, exploring alternative forms of artistic expression such as sculpture, installation, painting, performance, and video. This section represents a stimulating dialogue between photography and other artistic languages, offering a unique perspective on contemporary creativity. Through works by artists like Eugene Shishkin and Alexander Augusta, “Beyond Photography – Dialogue” challenges conventions and invites the audience to explore new forms of artistic expression.
The “Reportage Beyond Reportage” section, curated by Emanuela Mazzonis di Pralafera, offers a visual journey through the images of photographers from different generations and countries. This year, the section focuses on the changing landscape and includes works by photographers such as Anne de Carbuccia documenting glacier melt, while J. Henry Fair explores environmental pollution. Jeffrey Milstein provides aerial views of modern metropolises, while Francesco Zizola examines the relationship between man and nature.
The exhibition “La forma delle relazioni” at MIA Photo Fair, curated by Rica Cerbarano, highlights the power of human relationships in photography. It presents over 50 works from significant Italian private collections, celebrating the bond between the authors and subjects of the images. Artists explore various relational contexts, such as family ties (as seen in the works of Ettore Sottsass and Efrem Raimondi), fragile and underrepresented communities (such as those depicted by Zanele Muholi), and personal relationships of affection or admiration. The exhibition also highlights collaboration between authors in duos or collectives, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal exchange in the creative process. Ultimately, the goal is to reconsider the parameters by which a photographic project is evaluated, going beyond aesthetic and economic aspects to appreciate its relational depth.
MIA Photo Fair has decided to pay tribute to the recently deceased photographer Carlo Bavagnoli (Viterbo, February 25, 2024) with a personal exhibition titled “Bavagnoli e i ritratti: omaggio al maestro del fotogiornalismo,” featuring portraits of artists, musicians, and intellectuals through his lesser-known shots, to showcase the evocative power of this artist.
The 13th edition presents a wide selection of cultural institutions and foundations including MuFoCo, Deloitte Italia, Fondazione Francesca Rava, demonstrating their commitment to supporting new talents and promoting diversity in photographic art.
The fair features various awards, including the “BNL BNP Paribas Award” and the “IRINOX SAVE THE FOOD Award”, recognizing the exceptional talent of contemporary artists and promoting important themes such as sustainability and the fight against food waste. Additionally, the “Welcome to my Unknown” Award debuts, dedicated to under 35s using photography as an artistic language.
MIA Photo Fair 2024 reaffirms its position as an essential reference point in the international photographic art scene, offering an experience rich in insights and reflections on the major themes of our time. With its wide range of exhibitions, special projects, awards, and cultural encounters, this edition promises to inspire and engage an ever-expanding audience, confirming the unique power of photography in telling and interpreting the world around us.
