Interview with artists & curators

1 - Can you introduce yourselves? Your background, your sources of inspiration, your motivation as artists 

We are a collective of laif photographers who have come together across the boundaries of class, educational background, identity and age. We are united by a fresh view of the world - as well as the will to create new perspectives and stimulate necessary social discourse. We work photojournalistically on topics such as climate change, conflicts and identity. We show people who are breaking new ground with courage, creativity and solidarity. 

2 - How did the idea for the exhibition come about? What are your different roles in this project and what is your relationship with the various artists? 

During the Rencontres 2023, Jeannette and Thomas met by chance in an alley late one evening. They got straight into an intensive exchange about working in photojournalism - this gave rise to the idea of realizing an exhibition in Arles. In the months that followed, discussions were held with other laif photographers, the agency, the cooperative and the Foundation. Initial ideas on themes and implementation were developed. 

It quickly became clear that, as photojournalists, we wanted to question the status quo and present alternatives to the status quo. We gradually came together as a group and spent many hours in video calls with each other. Many of the exhibitors are actively involved, working independently and self-organized - this has resulted in a great, friendly collaboration. During the opening week of the Rencontres d'Arles 2025, some of us will meet in person for the first time. We are really looking forward to it! 

3 - What do Les Rencontres d'Arles mean to you? 

For us, the festival - especially the opening week - means reuniting with loved ones, making new acquaintances and cultivating existing friendships. We appreciate the diversity of the exhibitions as a source of inspiration, as spaces for discourse and as places for exchange. Even though the days can be intense and overwhelming and the trip is complex and expensive every year, we really enjoy the time. 

4 - You asked White Wall to support your project - what motivated you to do so? How do you perceive White Wall and how have you found the collaboration so far? 

To be able to exhibit at the Rencontres d'Arles, you need people who show solidarity and get involved - every form of support, whether financial or material, is crucial. The pictures (along with the people) are the heart of our exhibition. That is why it is extremely important to work with a reliable partner like WhiteWall when it comes to printing and framing. WhiteWall stands for perfect print quality and enables us to find the right material and the right frame for each work. 

Photographers: Sitara Ambrosio www.sitaraambrosio.com - Nora Bibel www.nora-bibel.de - Rui Camilo www.rui-camilo.de - Daniel Chatard: www.chatard.de -Jana Islinger www.janaislinger.com - Jeannette Petri www.jeannette-petri.com - Marzena Skubatz www.marzenaskubatz.com

Curators: Paulina Hildesheim www.paulinahildesheim.com - Thomas Pirot www.thomaspirot.de - Anna Ziegler www.annaziegler.com