FotoFocus Biennial 2018

Open Archive

FotoFocus Biennial Program: October 4–7, 2018

Now in its fourth iteration, the FotoFocus Biennial 2018 will span over 80 projects at museums and galleries across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, and feature more than 200 artists, curators, and educators. Each Biennial is structured around a unifying theme; for 2018 that theme is Open Archive—emphasizing the centrality of photography and lens-based art to modernism, and examining our fundamental need to preserve photographs and to tell stories through their collection, organization, and interpretation. Visit fotofocusbiennial.org for more information.

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The Lens: Featured Posts


2022 FotoFocus Biennial: World Record

Thank you to all who made the sixth FotoFocus Biennial a huge success. With 100+ projects, 90 venues, and more than 600 participants, this was the largest FotoFocus Biennial to date. This month-long celebration was an ambitious collaboration between FotoFocus and the region’s museums, galleries, universities, and non-traditional spaces that united artists, curators, and educators from around the world.

The Biennial Program Week consisted of receptions and talks throughout the region, including the Biennial Symposium. Memorial Hall and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center hosted two days of programming filled with talks, discussions, and keynote addresses by artists, curators, and distinguished speakers. To signify the Biennial's contributions to the region's arts community, the Mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval, proclaimed October the Month of Photography.

This year’s Passport Program—a program providing access to Biennial projects and members-only events—was made free for the first time ever thanks to generous donors. As a result, more than 2000 Passports were distributed.

The success of the FotoFocus Biennial is due to dedicated Patrons, Passport Holders, Participating Venues, and Artists; we look forward to continued collaborations during the 2024 Biennial.

  • 1_2022-09-10 CAC On the Line Soft Opening by Jacob Drabik_DSC6220

    Kevin Moore, FotoFocus Artistic Director and Curator, discussing On the Line: Documents of Risk and Faith at the Contemporary Arts Center

  • 2_2022-09-10 CAC On the Line Soft Opening by Jacob Drabik_DSC6234

    Guests viewing On the Line: Documents of Risk and Faith at the Contemporary Arts Center

  • 3_2022-10-01 AAC Street Party by Nicholas Namyar_IMG_8159

    Street Party for Ian Strange: Disturbed Home and Annex at Art Academy of Cincinnati

  • 4_2022-10-01 Daytime Symposium at MEMO by Jacob Drabik_DSC7142

    Mayor of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval, proclaimed October the Month of Photography during the Biennial Symposium at Memorial Hall

  • 5_2022-10-01 Daytime Symposium at MEMO by Jacob Drabik_IMG_2342

    Diana Solís, Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, Lola Flash, JEB (Joan E. Biren), and Ariel Goldberg discussing Images on which to build: 1970s-1990s during the symposium at Memorial Hall

  • 6_2022-10-08 CampSITE Talk by Jacob Drabik_DSC7899

    Audience member at CampSITE asking a question during the talk for Liz Roberts: Post Blonde

  • 7_2022-10-08 CampSITE Talk by Jacob Drabik_DSC7996

    Guests admiring Liz Roberts: Post Blonde at CampSITE

  • 8_2022-10-08 Carnegie Talk by Jacob Drabik_DSC7695

    Visitors at the opening of These Things Are Connected at The Carnegie


About FotoFocus

Founded in 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio, FotoFocus is a nonprofit organization created to celebrate and champion photography as the medium of our time through programming that ignites a dialogue between contemporary lens-based art and the history of photography. FotoFocus presents lens-based signature programming including the FotoFocus Biennial, FotoFocus Symposium, FotoFocus Talks Series, and Film and Video programming.

FotoFocus has collaborated with organizations, curators, academics, and artists to present more than 750 exhibitions and programs to provide uniquely enriching access to lens-based art, film, and practices inspired by photography. FotoFocus has awarded over 600 grants to support partners presenting projects and educational programs that are accessible and engaging to the public.

The organization has brought hundreds of internationally-renowned artists to the Greater Cincinnati region, including Doug Aitken, Tina Barney, Jo Ann Callis, Gregory Crewdson, Thomas Demand, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Mitch Epstein, Roe Ethridge, Larry Fink, Paul Graham, Todd Hido, Barbara Kasten, Michael Kenna, Zoe Leonard, Duane Michaels, Laurel Nakadate, David Benjamin Sherry, Laurie Simmons, Sandy Skoglund, Alec Soth, Doug + Mike Starn, Joyce Tenneson, John Waters, and Roger Ross Williams.

FotoFocus Biennial 2016: Zanele Muholi: Personae installation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Photo by Ryan Elliott