INDUSTRY
Outdoor exhibition: Christto & Andrew, from the series The Politics of Sport (2016) by © Bert-Jan Kramers
is why we promote our premieres: works that have never been shown in a gallery, institution or art fair. This year we will have over 80 artists launching their new, unseen work! Art photography evolving, New Media, and the future of the fair: Photography is changing rapidly. New techniques can bring about innovation, but also change the way in which people engage with photography in their daily lives. Think about how we act in front of the camera; how does this effect portraiture?
UNSEEN Photo Fair: Amsterdam
The different directions of photography are presented at Unseen. We like to create
Unseen is an annual international photography fair and festival based in
through a variety of interactive initiatives.
awareness among our visitors of the many different directions of photography
Amsterdam. Insights on the fair with Rixt Hulshoff Pol, Director of Unseen: I think the future looks bright for niche fairs like Unseen. I would consider it a huge The secret behind the success of Unseen and the significance of the name:
opportunity to have an annual platform which incorporates many different events
Innovation is a major driving force behind Unseen, so we allow room for artists
in one, where you can discover the most recent developments and connect with
and their galleries to take risks. Unseen started in 2012 as an annual international
so many different people from various backgrounds and disciplines.
photography fair and festival based in Amsterdam. It focuses on new or ‘unseen’
110 tribe
photography, highlighting the most recent developments, by presenting unseen
Some words of wisdom regarding the industry:
work by emerging talent and new work by established artists. I think Unseen’s
All you need is an open mind. Be curious and you will be rewarded. Curiosity
success is rooted in the following combinations: fair and festival, a meeting and
and an open mind will help you to discover new art, new artists and new
a market place and finally a focus on both the local and global. As a fair, Unseen
perspectives. Collecting photography can be an enormous adventure. Just learn
welcomes 53 galleries from across the globe and connects leading figures
to trust your instincts, ask questions when you are confused and delve into the
in the industry with artists, curators, collectors and photography enthusiasts,
depths of the works you encounter. Of course it is interesting to hear an artist
encourageing the exchange of artistic expression, ideas and dialogue. As a
speak about their work or talk to an expert, but a lot of the works at Unseen are
festival, Unseen invites visitors to be challenged, inspired and excited by an
new to everyone, so nobody has all the answers. Engaging in conversations will
extensive program which unites many of the city’s leading institutions, galleries,
help everybody to gradually gain insights into the works on display. Photography
artists and initiatives. The result is to engage with photography in unexpected
is serious business, but never forget to enjoy it as much as possible!
ways. At the end of the day, people visit Unseen to make new discoveries, which
www.unseenamsterdam.com