FotoFocus is the largest photography and lens-based biennial in America. In 2018, more than 200 artists, curators, and educators are collaborating with FotoFocus—as curator and supporter—to present photography and lens-based art across 70 museums and galleries in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton and Columbus, Ohio.

Each Biennial is structured around a unifying theme; for 2018 that theme is Open Archive – an exploration of how we organize and care for the unruly abundance inherent in lens-based art . “This edition of the FotoFocus Biennial addresses an aspect of photography that has been central to the medium since its invention: its unruly abundance,” says Kevin Moore, FotoFocus Artistic Director. “How do we organize and care for so much imagery? Open Archive explores the terrain, both old and new, of a classic photo topic.”

The 2018 FotoFocus Biennial Program, which runs October 4–7, constitutes the core of the Biennial, establishing the theme and dialogues which unite the broader programming. There will be talks and performances, screenings and intimate receptions with exceptional artists and curators.

Writer and photographer Teju Cole presents his performance of “Blind Spot,” a new interdisciplinary collaboration between him and acclaimed composer and pianist Vijay Iyer at Memorial Hall following the FotoFocus Biennial Symposium on October 6. Guest curated by Drew Klein, Performing Arts Director, Contemporary Arts Center.

FotoFocus Biennial shows across 70 Participating Venues span the entire month of October, with several opening earlier and many remaining on view into 2019. And for the first time, FotoFocus-curated exhibitions will fill the entire Contemporary Arts Center.

Artists featured in this year’s FotoFocus Biennial  include among others: Derrick Adams, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Lyle Ashton Harris, Isaac Julien, Deana Lawson, Zanele Muholi, Malick Sidibe, Xaviera Simmons, Question Bridge with Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems …

Full FotoFocus Biennial Program and artist list available at www.fotofocuscincinnati.org.

Participating venues include Cincinnati Art Museum, Columbus Museum of Art, Wave Pool, The Dayton Art Institute, 21c Museum Hotel, Mercantile Library,Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, and galleries at the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, Wright State University, and Xavier University.

FotoFocus Biennial 2018: October 1-31, 2018
FotoFocus Biennial Program: October 4-7, 2018

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www.fotofocusbiennial.org