We are delighted to highlight the remarkable contributions of Indian artists at the 2024 edition of Les Rencontres d’Arles, running from July 1st to September 29th. As France’s most prestigious photography festival, it is renowned for its innovative exhibitions and serves as a vital platform for both emerging and established photographers from around the globe, fostering creative exchange and artistic dialogue.
This year’s festival is particularly significant due to a major collaboration announced in 2020 between the Serendipity Arts Foundation, Les Rencontres d’Arles, and the French Institute of India. This partnership established a significant lens-based media grant aimed at promoting cultural practices in South Asia and highlighting the work of South Asian artists. As a result, several Indian artists were able to feature their work at the festival, in 2022, and more recently in the 2024’s edition.
About Les Rencontres d’Arles
A Premier Photography Festival
Les Rencontres d’Arles photography festival, founded in 1970 by Arlesian photographer Lucien Clergue, writer Michel Tournier, and historian Jean-Maurice Rouquette, began at a time when photography was still considered a “minor” art. The festival played a pivotal role in helping photography gain recognition from cultural institutions. Originally a small gathering of photography enthusiasts, the event grew in importance and popularity over the years, particularly in the early 2000s, as public interest in photography surged. The festival aims to foresee evolving trends in photography’s medium and technology, ensuring the art form is open and accessible to all. Its diverse program features a wide range of perspectives, with contributions from photographers and curators of various backgrounds. Every summer for over 50 years, the festival has been a major force in showcasing the world’s finest contemporary photography and has served as a crucial platform for launching international photographic talents.