Nowadays everyone can be called a curator. We are constantly editing our phones, photos, and applications. And through social media, we curate our own image presence. But what about the curation of a proper contemporary photography exhibition? What are the hurdles to take and the exciting opportunities? Which boundaries can be set?
In contemporary photography, this field is wide open and there are still many new ways to be discovered. Over a period of 7 months, artist and curator Erik Kessels will explore this journey. Mixing theoretical seminars with practical sessions, Kessels will teach, inspire, and practice with the participants how to curate the best possible exhibition with their own or someone else’s work.
To participate, simply fill in the form with your personal details, share a link to your portfolio and apply for free. If your application is successful, we will guide you to enrol in the program.
With 8 online group classes and 6 seminars, Erik Kessels will share theoretical and practical guidance on contemporary curatorial practice. These will give participants all the necessary tools to research, produce and promote an art event. According to their role, participants will also carry on a tailored assignment, which will be discussed in dedicated group sessions and individual tutorials.
The masterclass program comprises 2 online 30-min individual sessions with Erik Kessels. They will give you time to engage in specific discussions aimed at working on your ideas and improving your methods. These sessions provide you with privacy and the opportunity to get tailor-made solutions according to your specific needs and that of your practice.
To grant you industry insight and offer complementary information, we have invited expert practitioners to host 6 interactive studio visits. They will disclose the methodologies behind their work and offer you a better understanding of their role in the industry. Scroll down to discover who they are.
Erik Kessels is a Dutch artist, designer and curator and is since 1996 Creative Director of international communications agency KesselsKramer in Amsterdam and London.
As an artist and photography curator Kessels has published over 50 books of his ‘re-appropriated’ images, is editor of the alternative photography magazine Useful Photography and has written the international bestseller ‘Failed It!’. Kessels made and curated exhibitions such as ‘Loving Your Pictures’, ‘Use me Abuse me’, ‘24HRS of Photos’, ‘Album Beauty’, ‘From Here On’ and ‘Unfinished Father’.
In 2010 Kessels was awarded with the Amsterdam Prize of the Arts, in 2016 nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. In 2017 his mid-career retrospective was shown in Turin and Düsseldorf.