The picturesque city of Arles in southern France has once again become the global epicentre of photography as Les Rencontres d’Arles, the prestigious annual festival, opens its doors for its 54th edition, according to dazeddigital.comThis year’s event, which runs until September 29, 2024, promises to captivate visitors with its theme of ‘below the surface’, exploring the hidden depths and complexities of visual storytelling.

Since its inception in 1970, Les Rencontres d’Arles has been a cornerstone of the international photography scene, attracting both established masters and emerging talents. The festival transforms the entire city into a vast exhibition space, using everything from special galleries to ancient churches, crypts and even the local Monoprix supermarket.

One of the key exhibitions this year is Sophie Calle’s provocative “Neither Give Nor Throw Away.” Displayed in the city’s humid cryptoporticus, Calle’s series “The Blind” is deliberately allowed to decompose, creating a haunting meditation on beauty and transience.

American documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark is being honored with a retrospective at Espace Van Gogh. The exhibition, “Encounters,” features five of her most acclaimed series, focusing on her compassionate portraits of marginalized groups in society. Visitors can also view contact sheets and correspondence, offering deeper insights into Mark’s creative process.

Japanese photographer Ishiuchi Miyako’s “Belongings” series at Salle Henri-Comte presents a poignant exploration of absence through personal objects, including items belonging to victims of the Hiroshima bombing and Frida Kahlo.

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The festival also highlights lesser-known collectives, such as Colombia’s El Grupo de Cali, whose work explores themes of youth, violence and cultural identity. The Discovery Award exhibition, housed in an unexpected location in the Monoprix supermarket, showcases emerging talents such as François Bellabas and Tshepiso Mazibuko, who tackle contemporary issues with innovative photographic approaches.

• Main image: Les Rencontres d’Arles (2024)/Courtesy of the artist

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