PhEST 2023

PhEST - See Beyond the Sea is photography, cinema, music, art, contaminations from the Mediterranean.

Overview

PhEST IS an international photography and art festival that dedicates this eighth edition to the theme BEING HUMAN. This year the focus is on the human being, trying to question what it actually means to be human today. Exploring stages, lifestyles, emotions, beliefs and passions, the festival aims to question the spectator by offering a variety of representations of being human with an interdisciplinary look at culture, nature, relationships, through psychology, philosophy and anthropology. It will address the major themes of contemporary thought; the transformation of values and their practices and the complexity of activities and interrelationships between sentient beings across the planet. Artists from all over the world - selected by artistic director Giovanni Troilo with the photographic curatorship of Arianna Rinaldo - will be involved in exhibitions, portfolio reviews, masterclasses, installations, nurturing a vibrant and diverse community of creatives and enthusiasts. Among the confirmed names are: Phil Toledano, Koos Breukeland Zed Nelson. Great space was given to women this year with artists such as Lisa Sorgini, Elinor Carucci, Giulia Gatti and Cristina De Middel. The photography section is complemented by the contemporary art section, curated by Roberto Lacarbonara.

PhEST - See Beyond the Sea confirms itself as an important and international event celebrating the power of photography and art. From the centre of Monopoli, Puglia and the Mediterranean, PhEST explores the contemporary through visual storytelling. The city of Monopoli will be transformed into an open-air museum, opening up historical buildings and ancient churches to the public and artists.