The Rencontres de'Arles

The Rencontres de'Arles

 

 

The Rencontres de'Arles ( formerly known as the Rencontres International de la Photographic d'Arles) is a summer photographic festival. It was founded in 1970 by Arles photographer Lucien Clergue, author Michel Tournier & historian Jean-Mauries Rouquette.

The Festival is almost exclusively new work, and in 2010 there were 73000 visitors.

Often co-produced; by both French & foreign museums and institutions
Given on various heritage sites - suitably staged andy designed for the purpose
Some sites (e.g. 12th century chapels or 19th century industrial buildings) are open to the public only for the duration of the festival
Many photographers have been discovered as a result of the Rencontres - a sign of the festivals importance as a springboard for photographic and contemporary creative talent

For its depth and reach the programme draws on the points of view of numerous specialists - around 20 each year - from different fields.

Sometimes part of the programming is entrusts to an artist, examples include:

Martin Parr (2004)
Raymond Depardon (2006)
Christian Lacroix (Arles born Couturier; 2008)
Nan Goldin (2009)

Every summer (since 1970), Over the course of more than sixty exhibitions at various of the cites exceptional heritage sites, the Rencontres d'arles has been a major influence in disseminating the best of world photography.

Thanks to programming policy that almost entirely favours unpublished works, the rencontres has become the benchmark international photography festival.