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).

Being / Seeing is an exhibition showcasing the work of a number of 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. For full listings of events including portfolio reviews, talks and more visit: www.formatfestival.com

The exhibition is curated by Nikki Zoë Omes, an emerging curator based in the Netherlands, who was selected by FORMAT Festival through her participation in PARALLEL, in which five other emerging curators and institutions are also participating. The exhibition features 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. Omes invites you to take the time to step into someone else’s visual world, as you might recognise something of yourself in it.

PARALLEL PLATFORM 
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.

PARALLEL is a platform that brings together 18 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 of the most vibrant European cultural hubs, from16 different 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.

PARALLEL is designed and led by Procur.arte and supported by the programme European Platforms of the Creative Europe.
www.parallelplatform.org

With thanks to Holiday Inn, Riverlights, Derby