Diffusion: Cardiff International Festival of Photography

Diffusion: Cardiff International Festival of Photography

Diffusion: Cardiff International Festival of Photography is a city-wide event, featuring exhibitions, screenings, performances and events showcasing outstanding photographic work from around the world, and providing a major new platform for Welsh artists. Hosted by Ffotogallery, the month long celebration (1 – 31 May) of photography includes highlights such as the world premiere of award-winning filmmaker Gideon Koppel’s B O R T H and Lure, a major exhibition of new work by Helen Sear, another of Wales’ most important and insightful artists.

Also taking part in Diffusion will be Italian artist Maurizio Anzeri, who exhibits It’s Not Too Late It’s Only Dark, his first solo exhibition in Wales, featuring previously unseen works alongside his famous “photo-sculptural” pieces. Acclaimed Portuguese artist Edgar Martins presents his recent project The Time Machine, and camera-less photography is represented by Swiss artists f&d cartier’s intriguing installation Wait and See.

Meanwhile, Peter Bobby critiques the global phenomenon of high-rise architecture, using photography and video he compiles his series High-rise. The exhibition Drift at the National Museum Cardiff includes three films by artist Tim Davies made in response to his invitation to represent Wales at the Venice Biennale in 2011. The films produce a dramatic and thoughtful portrait of Venice, offering a different perspective on how the city is represented typically in the Museum’s historical collection by artists such as Canaletto, Monet and Whistler.

Other events includes The Valleys Re-Presented and explores the relationship between image, myth and location, and presents classic work by renowned photographers such as David Bailey, Peter Fraser and John Davies alongside newly commissioned projects by Zhao Renhui and Alicia Bruce. European Chronicles features a number of solo projects by artists from across Europe highlighting how photography, arguably the world’s most democratic and visible medium, allows us to capture modern life as it is lived, while also imagining a new identity. There is also a focus closer to home in, From common differences, with its starting point as an enquiry into the relationship between Swansea and Cardiff.

Aiming to encourage visitors and residents to navigate Cardiff in new ways and investigate traditional and new media, Diffusion is a refreshing encounter with photography. The festival Opening Weekend, 3 – 5 May, sees exhibitions and events across the city, and a symposium at the National Museum Cardiff looking at the status and meaning of the photograph in contemporary visual culture, with a keynote address by internationally renowned artist Richard Wentworth. Throughout the month there will be free exhibitions, artist talks and workshops, schools’ programmes and photographic rambles around the city. The Diffusion Publishing Weekend takes place over 25 – 26 May, with a Photo Book Fair, symposium and other activities – including the popular mass participatory event Cardiff Photomarathon.

Diffusion: Cardiff International Festival of Photography, 1 – 31 May, across the city of Cardiff.

Credits
1. Arturas Valiagua, from I dropped in on Stepas, we talked about life, 2002.
2. Catrine Val, Victoria from Feminist, 2011.