Challenging and eclectic, contemporary photography defies boundaries and definition. Once a cultural object, photography then became a cultural-social-artistic practice which engages a wide range of aesthetics, technologies and actors, most of them overlapping and intersecting. All this diversity was instrumental in inspiring the creation of PARALLEL. Get to know the platform and its members!
PARALLEL is a platform that brings together creative European organisations committed to promoting cross-cultural exchanges and mentorships in order to set new standards in contemporary photography. Members include museums, galleries, cultural centres, festivals, art schools and publishers – 18 vibrant European cultural hubs, from 16 countries, that will participate in selecting and hosting emerging artists and curators, organising exhibitions and promoting artistic networking.
The large and diverse nature of this network ensures a wide geographical spread and a fertile ground for fostering new dialogues, sparking fresh ideas and helping to boost creativity. The work process is implemented as a two-phase process: Creative Guidance: selection, tutoring, peer learning and curatorship for emergent creators; Exhibition Platform: a wide exhibition network engaging exhibitors, universities and art schools.
Parallel Intersection
The key event of the project is the Parallel Intersection. It puts together for the first time, all the work produced by the new creators. It’s also the moment when cycles overlap: the closing of one cycle and the opening of the next. This “intersection” aims to stimulate cross-fertilisation between creators and also encourages exchanging and communication between new artists and curators. The Parallel Intersection takes place in a different city each year.
In 2019 the Capa Center will host the Parallel Intersection in Budapest, Hungary. The Parallel Intersection international group exhibition held in the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center is the closing event of the second cycle of the four-year PARALLEL project.
Members of PARALLEL
Procur.arte (PT)
Procur.arte is a cultural association based in Lisbon. Since 2005 it works for the development and dissemination of creative industries, through the creation of critic and constructive projects in the fields of arts, culture, creativity and innovation. We invest in the decentralization and democratization of culture as means of developing and forming audiences, so that they are capable of reflecting about the contemporary world, through the practice and enjoyment of arts. We focus our activity on the development of mechanisms that enable the development of communication platforms between national and international cultural agents, promoting networking, intercultural dialogue and enhancing the economy of culture. We invest in the creation, development and production of multidisciplinary works that claim a dynamic research and innovation, with a particular focus on the work of emerging artists.
https://www.procurarte.org/
https://www.instagram.com/procur.arte/
Galleri Image (DK)
Galleri Image was founded in 1977 as the first public gallery for photography in Scandinavia, and for many years, was the only one of its kind in Denmark. Since then, we have gained an international reputation for our exhibitions and have contributed significantly to the recognition of photography as an independent art form. Galleri Image present photography, video, performance, and installation art, promoting advances in these media. Beyond exhibiting well established and recognised artists, we work to identify and support emerging Danish and international artists, offering a stepping-stone for young Danish and international artists to further their careers. With a focus on diversity and fresh artistic vision, we offer high quality art experiences.
http://www.galleriimage.dk/index.php/en/
https://www.facebook.com/galleriimage/
https://www.instagram.com/galleriimage/
Fondazione Fotografia Modena (IT)
The Fondazione Fotografia Modena is an exhibition and training centre entirely devoted to photography and contemporary imagery. Through its activities – ranging from exhibitions and events to training and management of major collections – it provides a privileged platform for dialogue and investigation of the fundamental role played by imagery in our culture. From an initial phase focusing on exhibition events designed to document and publicise the progressive acquisitions of the collection, the institution has since broadened its field of activity to include also historical photography, as well as setting up major initiatives in the training field, aimed especially at artists and curators who intend to work in the field of imagery.
http://www.fondazionefotografia.org/en/
https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefotografiamodena/
https://www.instagram.com/fondazionefotografiamodena/
Format Festival (UK)
FORMAT is the UK’s leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media. It organises a year round programme of international commissions, open calls, residencies, conferences and collaborations in the UK and Internationally and welcomes over 100,000 visitors from all over the world to its biennale. The festival and off year programmes celebrate the wealth of contemporary photographic practice and feature everything from major conceptual works, participative projects, documentary and all that falls between categorisations, from the mobile phone to the archive. We are concerned with what is happening right here, right now in the scene and beyond, whilst sharing and contributing to it.
https://formatfestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/formatfestival/
https://www.instagram.com/formatfestival/
Fotofestiwal Lodz (PL)
Fotofestiwal was established in 2001 as one of the first photography events in Poland. It was a spontaneous initiative of students and lecturers of the Sociology Department. Since then, photography and ways of organizing cultural events have transformed. The same has been true for Fotofestiwal itself – we have a different perspective towards the program, we work differently, our viewer’s needs have changed. Still, Fotofestiwal remains a space for presenting various forms and types of photography, a forum for discussion about art and society, a motivation to search for alternative methods of discussing and exhibiting photography. But first of all, invariably, it is a place where people meet.
http://fotofestiwal.com
https://www.facebook.com/Fotofestiwal.Lodz
https://www.instagram.com/fotofestiwal/
Kaunas Photography Gallery (LT)
Kaunas Photography Gallery was in 1979. In the last 40 years almost 600 exhibitions were shown, this gave Kaunas residents an opportunity to get acquainted with the works of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Luigi Ghirri, Aleksandr Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova and other foreign authors. The Gallery provides an opportunity for national and international audience to realize the connection between photography tradition and new conception projects, presenting innovative contemporary undertakings and Identity researches as well as traditional humanistic photography projects.
https://kaunasgallery.lt/en/
https://www.facebook.com/Kaunasgallery.lt
https://www.instagram.com/kaunasgallery/
ISSP (LV)
ISSP is a platform for contemporary photography, based in Latvia and acting internationally. ISSP offers highest-quality education and networking programmes for photographers, organises exhibition and events, and creates new ways to promote the cross-border exchange of ideas in the art of photography. Since its establishment in 2006, ISSP has yearly run the International Summer School of Photography, initiated education and exchange programmes and projects, curated a number of exhibitions and publications, established a contemporary photography education programme in Latvia, and, most importantly, gathered a thriving community of young photographers in Latvia and internationally – our students and tutors come from over 30 countries around the world.
https://www.issp.lv/en
https://www.facebook.com/issp.lv/
https://www.instagram.com/issp_latvia/
Katalog Journal of Photography & Video (Scandinavia)
KATALOG is a Scandinavian magazine devoted to photographic art and published by Brandts Museum of Photo Art. Besides articles on current exhibitions at the Museet for Fotokunst the magazine also features presentations of international photographers, as well as reviews of exhibitions and books. The magazine is published three times a year and subscription is available directly through the editors only.
http://katalog-journal.com
https://www.facebook.com/katalogjournal/
Landskrona Foto (SE)
Landskrona Foto is one of the most important institutions in Scandinavia for mediation, research and conservation of photography. The main pillars of Landskrona Foto are exhibitions, photo history and research, conservation of the photographic culture heritage, a biennial festival and supporting contemporary artists. The principal for the activity is the cultural board of Landskrona Stad that has a permanent grant in the budget for the financial funding. In addition to that we are receiving contributions from regional, national and Nordic cultural organisations and also generous support from many companies who have an interest in the activity and in Landskrona. The politically targeted goal setting is that Landskrona Foto shall have such a quality and a width in the activity so that Landskrona can declare themselves of being The Capital of Photography in Scandinavia.
https://www.landskronafoto.org/en/
https://www.facebook.com/LandskronaFoto/
https://www.instagram.com/landskronafoto/
Organ Vida (HR)
Photography Association Organ Vida is a leading Croatian institution for promoting and researching contemporary photography practices in Croatia and on the international scene since its foundation in 2008. Photography Association Organ Vida is a volunteer led non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting internationally contemporary photography, emerging and established photographers, and to creating platforms for knowledge exchange, education and for showcasing works of young contemporary photographers.
https://organvida.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OrganVida/
https://www.instagram.com/organvida_festival/
UGM (SI)
With its collection of more than 7,000 art works by Slovene artists from the end of the 19th century up to present, UGM is one of the main museums for modern and contemporary art in Slovenia. Painting, sculpture and prints are joined by photographs, video art, multimedia installations and interactive art projects. At the UGM one can – besides major names of Slovene visual art in the last hundred years – follow influential developments of international art scene, get acquainted with the rising stars of modern art and explore current themes in visual arts. With its collection and programme of around 12 special exhibitions a year – ranging from retrospective reviews of works by Slovenian authors to international festivals of contemporary art as well as architecture and design exhibitions – UGM importantly shapes both the art scene in Slovenia and internationally. Well-structured education programme joins different generations, ethnic groups and educational institutions.
http://www.ugm.si/en/
https://www.facebook.com/ugm.maribor/
https://www.instagram.com/ugm_maribor/
The Finnish Museum of Photography (FI)
The Finnish Museum of Photography is Finland’s national specialized museum for photography. Through exhibitions, collection management, education, research, and a wide range of public and community programmes, the museum strives to promote and foster photographic art and culture in Finland. Founded on the initiative of Finnish photography organizations, the museum opened its doors in 1969 and is the oldest photography museum in Europe.
https://www.valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi/en
https://www.facebook.com/valokuvamuseo
https://www.instagram.com/valokuvamuseo/
Le Château d’Eau (FR)
The Château d’Eau is the oldest public institution devoted to photography in France and has an essentially didactic vocation. It has presented more than 485 monographic or thematic exhibitions. Its program strives to present photography under all of its facets and thus it comprises the biggest artists names from the history of photography. Another central activity is publishing with the co-publishing of books and monographs presenting the most striking images from each exhibition. It is also a resource centre, open to all, boasting thousands of works and hundreds of artists’ folders. Conscious of its educational role in guiding culture, it also leads a policy of mediation in direction of the school world. Le Château d’Eau is not only one of the jewels of the architectural heritage of the city, but also a cultural institution which enjoys an international reputation.
http://www.galeriechateaudeau.org/wp/english/
https://www.facebook.com/Lechateaudeau/
https://www.instagram.com/lechateaudeau/
YET Magazine (CH)
YET magazine is a Swiss photography publication devoted to contemporary international photography. Our aim is to feature several different styles of photography, without any restriction in genre, medium, or theme. We showcase both emerging and well-known international photographers – our work is basically characterized by the quality of the submitted project, from its concept to the shoot, up to the final editing. Since it has been produced and managed by people operating in the photographic sector, YET wants to show “the image” from other perspectives, starting from the photography itself.
https://yet-magazine.com/
https://www.facebook.com/YETmagazine/
https://www.instagram.com/yetmagazine/
PhotoIreland (IE)
PhotoIreland Foundation is dedicated to stimulating a critical dialogue around Photography in Ireland, and to internationally promoting the work of Irish-based artists. We ensure that a healthy ecosystem of practices is not silenced by lack of opportunities by offering frequent publishing and exhibiting opportunities to emerging artists. PhotoIreland is committed to the cultivation of a deeper and critical understanding of Photography.
http://photoireland.org/
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoIrelandFoundation/
https://www.instagram.com/photoireland/
Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum (GE)
Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum (TPMM) is the first institution in Georgia entirely dedicated to contemporary image in its different forms – photography, new media, video. Through exhibitions, debates and educational programs, TPMM is supposed to become an independent platform and will promote photography as a catalyst for social and cultural changes in Georgia and the South Caucasus. The museum will be locatedat Stamba – an old Soviet-era publishing house that has been transformed in a design hotel this year. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation and was founded in 2017.
https://tpmm.ge/en/
https://www.facebook.com/tbilisiphotographyandmultimediamuseum/
https://www.instagram.com/tbilisi_pmm/
NGO Mystetski Mandry/Odesa Photo Days (UA)
International Festival Odesa // Batumi Photo Days was founded in 2015 as a reflection on socio-political events in Ukraine. Despite the economic difficulties, the festival took place annually in two cities – in Odesa, Ukraine (April) and in Batumi, Georgia (September). The festival is a non-profit platform for photographers and anyone interested in this media. In the course of three years, with the efforts of our team, volunteers and photographers, the Odesa / / Batumi Photo Days festival has become well-known in different parts of the world, appeared on the international map of photo events and has implemented a number of special projects, both in Ukraine and abroad. Every year, Festival Odesa // Batumi Photo Days is on the verge of closure, due to the lack of funding. But we confidently declare, we will exist as long as we have the support of friends, photographers and all of you who believe and support!
http://thephotodays.org/en/
https://www.facebook.com/odesaphotodays/
https://www.instagram.com/odesaphotodays/
Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center (HU)
The Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center was opened in Budapest in December 2013. Among the tasks of the new visual institute are the organization of national and international exhibitions; the foundation of a prestigious photography award; the presentation of national and international photographers and photography workshops. Activities of the institution also include foreign study tours, public discussions, lectures, thematic film screenings, and performances, along with events of other art disciplines.
https://capacenter.hu/en/
https://www.facebook.com/capakozpont
https://www.instagram.com/capacenter/
The Platform is designed and led by Procur.arte and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.