Staged

Although staged photography emerged as a distinct artistic genre only a few decades ago, staging has been a standard photographic practice from the early days of the medium. For some genres like still life, fashion or nude photography, setting the stage and directing the models are almost intrinsic aspects of the creative process. Photographs belonging to other genres, for instance portraits, may or may not be staged or directed. For this exhibition we are looking for images, which have been constructed to create a unique meaning. We invite works created by artists who, in addition to that of the photographer, also assume other creative functions, such as setting or designing the scene, directing the model(s), sometimes designing the costume and set, or even applying makeup and prosthetics. Staged images, however, do not necessarily have to involve human or nonhuman models as they may rely merely on the arrangements of selected objects into a meaningful scene.

PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for a group exhibition themed Staged. We are looking for submissions from all photographers who are interested in this subject and would like to share their work with a wider international audience through the exposure of PH21 Gallery. The theme is broadly construed without any photographic genre restrictions. The only requirement is that the photographer had to be involved in constructing the scene that was photographed or she had to direct her model(s) for the image. Indeed, we are interested in all possible creative photographic interpretations of the theme.

One juror’s choice and up to three honourable mentions will be selected and announced. The juror’s choice receives three free entries for any upcoming themed group exhibition calls at PH21 Gallery. (Each free entry includes up to 15 images.)

Curator: Zsolt Bátori
Zsolt is a philosopher of art and photographer. He currently serves as dean of the Faculty of Art and Creative Industries of the Budapest Metropolitan University, and visits the University of Murcia, Spain for regular research collaboration. He has conducted research and taught philosophy of art and photography courses at various universities in Hungary, the United States, Spain and Argentina, and has exhibited his photographic work internationally. Zsolt is also the founder and director of PH21 Gallery.