Fotofest Biennial Opens Tonight in Houston

In Houston, Texas, the largest photography biennial–founded by documentary photographers and journalists Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss–opens tonight. Beginning with a public celebration at 8 pm at the Fotofest Headquarters, the first of several contemporary Russian photography exhibitions will also open today, The Young Generation, 2007-2012.

“The 2012 Biennial is a citywide event, with over 110 participating museums, art galleries, non-profit arts organizations, universities, civic organizations and corporate spaces across Houston, Harris County and Galveston,” according to the Fotofest website. The biennial continues through April 29th, including several book signing events, workshops, artist talks, satellite exhibitions, and events. Maps, calendars and catalogues can be found here: http://fotofest.org.

Mikola Gnisyuk, People in Trees (The Rooks Have Arrived), 1964. Courtesy of Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography, Moscow

Founder Ms. Watriss, explains the organization’s interest in contemporary Russian photography, speaking of Russia’s history and saying, “It had been such a dominant force in world history and it had an extraordinarily rich culture from an intellectual and creative standpoint,” according to The New York Times blog yesterday. “It’s not surprising curious minds like our own would be looking at Russia,” she continues. Read more on The New York Times blog here.

This year’s biennial promises to offer an array of exciting, contemporary photography, with several participating events exploring parallel themes. 40 Russian photographers will visit Houston to discuss their work. Collaborating venues include: photo-eye gallery, Project Row Houses, Station Museum of Contemporary Art, Moody Gallery, Domy Books, the Russian Cultural Center and many others.

Nikita Pirogov, Natasha, 2010. From the series The Other Shore. Courtesy of the artist.

Additional Fotofest events of special interest include:

FotoFest at Williams Tower
FOTOFEST EXHIBITION – After Stalin, “The Thaw”, The Re-emergence of the Personal Voice late 1940s-1970s
March 17, 2012 – April 22, 2012
10:00 AM
2800 Post Oak Blvd 77056

Russian Artist Book Signings – MFAH – 3/18
RUSSIAN Artist Book Signings
March 18, 2012 – March 18, 2012
7:00 PM
400 Dallas St, 77002

Feature Image: Alexander Gronsky, Untitled, 2009. From the series The Edge. Courtesy of the artist.