Tickets for the 10th Ballarat International Foto Biennale can now be snapped up for the major event taking place in the nation’s photographic capital of Ballarat, Victoria from 26 August to 22 October 2023.
Featuring more than 2000 breath-taking photographic works, the eight-week-long event includes some of the world’s biggest names in photography, capturing the imagination of art lovers and culture crusaders around the country.
This year’s Festival theme is The Real Thing – the title of Russell Morris’ 1969 six-minute surround sounding musical trip which was fresh to ears at the time. Like Morris’ song, the 10th edition of this year’s Foto Biennale will be all encompassing, embracing the viewer in an all-immersive experience.
CEO of Ballarat International Foto Biennale Vanessa Gerrans described this year’s event as a moment of reflection; an event that encourages visitors to question and decipher, and above all else, explore.
“We have reached far and wide into all corners of the world to bring together the greatest collection of photographs that have documented our generation,” said Vanessa. “It’s up to the viewer to have an opinion as to what is real and what is not. This event encourages curiosity, and we invite all to experience the city of Ballarat through a different lens.”
Exclusive to the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is the world premiere of People Power – Platon where audiences are encouraged to get up close with portraits taken by New York’s renowned Platon of headline makers and shakers of today.
The work of internationally celebrated Indian street photographer Vineet Vohra will be highlighted in an in-depth display of the popular documentary-style photographer’s most important works. Considered one of the most influential street photographers of his generation, Vohra will be holding very limited intimate workshops studying the streets and style of Ballarat.
Also celebrating street style is Instant Warhol – 59 original Polaroids taken by Andy Warhol capturing people, parties and pop culture of the 1970s and ’80s.
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is filled with Australian premieres include first-time exhibitions from international photographers Yvonne Todd (NZ) and Erik Johansson (Sweden), plus world first exhibitions from Stephen Dupont with Fucked Up Fotos, Michael Jalaru Torres with Vessel, Colleen Raven Strangways’ UV Songlines: Illuminating ancestral roots and the Australian exclusive of the Michael Kantor Portrait Prize.
Following on from the success of his Sydney performance, acclaimed artist Dr Christian Thompson brings his awe-inspiring live reimagining of Recital to the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute and emboldening the quirky corners and facade of Ballarat, Lisa Roet’s 9 metre-high Golden Monkey will encourage visitors to look up and around the stunning Goldfields city and Kate Ballis’ Portals to Atlantis will take commuters to new worlds at the Ballarat Railway Station.
Ballarat’s beautiful galleries, historic buildings, laneways and iconic streetscapes are the core of this major event which encourages art-lovers to explore the city and experience Ballarat through a new lens.
A comprehensive array of programs is available from workshops to walking tours, conversations and classes, each complimenting the event and celebrating the photographers who have captured our lives, hearts and headlines.
Ballarat International Foto Biennale takes place from 26 August to 22 October 2023 in Ballarat – approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne. Tickets are now available. For more information and to view the full program, visit: www.ballaratfoto.org for details.
Images: Platon, Cate Blanchett, 2004 | Platon, Self Portrait – courtesy of the Artist | Yvonne Todd, New Portia, 2018 | Erik Johansson, The Swedish Space Program – courtesy of Ballarat International Foto Biennale