Being / Seeing exhibition design (Derby)

Being / Seeing is an exhibition that showcased the work of seven emerging artists participating in PARALLEL, a European platform that brings together creative organisations committed to promoting cross-cultural exchanges and mentorships in order to set new standards in contemporary photography. The exhibition is a part of FORMAT International Photography Festival off year programme.

The exhibition featured key themes concerning ‘being’ or what it means to ‘be’, by either exploring the self, (sub)consciousness, our relation to others, or the body. By means of using their unique photographic languages, the artists were able to ‘see’ and capture abstract concepts related to the self and/or the body. The exhibition addresses questions such as: ‘How do the perceptions of others affect our sense of self?’ ‘How do we shape our lives around others’ preconceived ideas?’ ‘And how do we make sense of our own physicality?’ Through combining ideas of well-being and well-seeing, Being / Seeing also reflects on how we relate to other people’s experiences through seeing. The curator invites you to take the time to step into someone else’s visual world, as you might recognise something of yourself in it.

Artists: Ramona Güntert (Germany), Toms Harjo (Latvia), Andrej Lamut (Slovenia), Glorija Lizde (Croatia), Charlotte Mano (France), Mark McGuinness (Ireland), Sofia Okkonen (Finland). Curated by Nikki Zoë Omes (Netherlands).