Free entrance
Language: English
Moderator: Tomasz Ferenc (UŁ, Department of Sociology of Art).

Can we make a real change to our environment and improve the quality of human (and non-human) life thanks to photography? Do photographic interventions work? If so, what is it that determines whether they are effective or not? Finally, in which social spaces do such endeavours succeed best? Questions about different manners of activation and intervention through the use of photography will be the main theme of this panel discussion. Among the participants, there will be artists, art curators, activists and researchers who take part in Fotofestiwal. Each one of them uses photography in order to offer help, intervene, spread information and activate people. During the panel discussion, we will talk about different ways of using visual media for that and also about the visions of today’s engaged photography. Julia Szabłowska, a Belarusian journalist, volunteer and photographer, who organizes photography workshops for children and teenagers from Ukraine and Belarus, who was forced to leave her country. Io Siversten, a Norwegian artist who focuses on climate crisis and young climate activists in her work. Sergio Valenzuela Escobedo, a Chilean art curator, artist and researcher, who is in charge of three exhibitions held in Łódź, which pertain to the lives of indigenous communities in South America and describe their struggle for identity, independence and space for life. The debate will be recorded.

Organiser: The University of Lodz