Hull, City of Culture 2017 is nearly upon us. The City of Culture bid was inspired and, having been won, was an exceptionally well deserved prize for all the hard work put in by the bid team, for the city and not least for its citizens and denizens, so my congratulations to you all.
Photographically speaking, Hull has much to commend it and, starting in 2014 The Creative and Cultural Company began developing HIPfest as an annual event where the cultural importance of photography is recognised. It’s a celebration of a physical art form, but one which is globally and digitally accessible. As well as being an event where professionals come to exhibit, network, sell work, exchange ideas, and meet contacts it is also an opportunity for newly qualified, amateur and emerging photographers, of any age and ability, to immerse themselves in the world of photography.
This year’s event (HIPFest2015) is not to be missed. Taking place between 2nd and 30th October at venues across the city including the Hull International Photography Gallery, POP Gallery, St Mary’s Church, Red Gallery, Hull Central Library, Hull Western Library, Bransholme Library, Kardomah94 and the decks of the Princes Quay Shopping Centre, it promises a veritable feast of all things photography. Events and exhibitions have been organised by a range of artist groups – including the Royal Photographic Society (Members’ Bi-annual exhibition) and (I really like to see this) collections of young photographers. “The future is in the Youth” said Lenin. Bring it on…
So, all told, I’m really honoured to have been invited to speak at this event on the opening weekend and I’ll be talking about creative dimensions in Fine Art Photography. I’m currently playing with the boundaries between photography and other visual art forms so much so that some of my latest creations have been unable to be submitted into traditional photographic group exhibitions purely because of what they are. In fact, one piece couldn’t be submitted in the ‘photography’ category for a major competition at all and had to be submitted in another genre. Why, even though it’s photography? Come and see for yourself at the POP Gallery, 4pm, Sunday 4th October.
Finally, here’s some links with information about the month’s events so please come along to this great city, immerse yourself in HIPFest2015 and we’ll hope to see you there!
HIPFest2015 main website – well worth a good browse
The Creative & Cultural Company