2026 Biennial
Darshan
Darshan presents a collaboration between American photographer Conor Martin and Indian photographer Vibhav Kapoor. Since 2021, they have developed an artistic camaraderie traveling and working together. The driving principle of their art is the Hindu phenomenon of darshan, which literally means “to see.” A reciprocal act of seeing and being seen, darshan is also the Hindi word for a philosophy that addresses insight as the immanent source of experience and knowledge. This idea transcends Hindu culture, becoming the ethos guiding Kapoor and Martin’s shared photographic purpose. To them, life itself is an endless source of inspiration to make resounding dramatic photographs.
In 2023, they traveled across the Indian subcontinent to photograph the Jyotirlingams, twelve ancient temples dedicated to Shiva. They were compelled to document sites of religious pilgrimage, using them as a lens to record cultural and economic realities across the country. In 2025, they documented the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest public gathering which takes place in a temporary city erected to accommodate hundreds of millions of visitors on the flood plains of the Ganges River. These two photographers work with historic traditions to examine contemporary culture, sharing perspectives, ideas, and often even a camera. Their working process has been a mutual education through the act of seeing, resulting in a record of contemporary India through their combined sensibility and unique worldviews.
Artists: Vibhav Kapoor and Conor Martin
Related Events
Dayton Spotlight Weekend
October 16, 2026
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Spotlight Weekends highlight FotoFocus Biennial Venues within specific geographic locations where artists and curators will be on site for talks, tours, special events, and featured programming. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the FotoFocus Biennial, exploring art within the communities that create and present it.
Friday, 10/16
- None at this time. Check back later
Saturday, 10/17
- Dayton Bus Tour, 8am–5pm. Biennial Pass Holders only. Limited capacity
- Narrative Photobook Workshop with Trent Davis Bailey, 1pm. Rosewood Arts Center
- Artist Talk: Dan Cleary, 1pm. Dayton Society of Artists
- Gallery Talk with Dr. Mariah Postlewait, 1:30pm. Dayton Art Institute
- Artist Talk: Stacy Kranitz in Conversation with Andrew Milward, 2pm. The Contemporary Dayton
- Artist Talk and Reception for Darshan, 4pm. University of Dayton: Roger Glass Center for the Arts
- Reception and Artist Talk with Trent Davis Bailey, 5pm. Rosewood Arts Center
Sunday, 10/18
- None at this time. Check back later
Dayton Spotlight Weekend
October 17, 2026
–
Spotlight Weekends highlight FotoFocus Biennial Venues within specific geographic locations where artists and curators will be on site for talks, tours, special events, and featured programming. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the FotoFocus Biennial, exploring art within the communities that create and present it.
Friday, 10/16
- None at this time. Check back later
Saturday, 10/17
- Dayton Bus Tour, 8am–5pm. Biennial Pass Holders only. Limited capacity
- Narrative Photobook Workshop with Trent Davis Bailey, 1pm. Rosewood Arts Center
- Artist Talk: Dan Cleary, 1pm. Dayton Society of Artists
- Gallery Talk with Dr. Mariah Postlewait, 1:30pm. Dayton Art Institute
- Artist Talk: Stacy Kranitz in Conversation with Andrew Milward, 2pm. The Contemporary Dayton
- Artist Talk and Reception for Darshan, 4pm. University of Dayton: Roger Glass Center for the Arts
- Reception and Artist Talk with Trent Davis Bailey, 5pm. Rosewood Arts Center
Sunday, 10/18
- None at this time. Check back later
Dayton Bus Tour
October 17, 2026
8:00am – 7:30pm
Spotlight Weekends highlight FotoFocus Biennial Venues within specific geographic locations where artists and curators will be on site for talks, tours, special events, and featured programming. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the FotoFocus Biennial, exploring art within the communities that create and present it.
To RSVP, please email pass@fotofocus.org. Seating is limited. Biennial Pass required.
8:00am Meet at FotoFocus Center / Ziegler Garage
8:30am Depart Cincinnati
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Darshan. Collaborative documentary work of India exploring the Hindu philosophy and phenomenon of darshan (“to see”).
Gallery talk led by Nicholaus Arnold, Galleries Director.
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7:15pm Arrive in Cincinnati
Access to the entire FotoFocus Biennial Program is only one benefit of being a FotoFocus 2022 Biennial Passport holder. GET THE PASSPORT for free entry and exclusive events!
Artist Talk and Gallery Reception for Darshan
October 17, 2026
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Gallery Reception for Darshan with artists Conor Martin and Vibhav Kapoor, and curator Joel Whitaker.
Additional Information: Wheelchair accessible. For more accessibility details, visit the Roger Glass Center for the Arts website.
Dayton Spotlight Weekend
October 18, 2026
–
Spotlight Weekends highlight FotoFocus Biennial Venues within specific geographic locations where artists and curators will be on site for talks, tours, special events, and featured programming. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the FotoFocus Biennial, exploring art within the communities that create and present it.
Friday, 10/16
- None at this time. Check back later
Saturday, 10/17
- Dayton Bus Tour, 8am–5pm. Biennial Pass Holders only. Limited capacity
- Narrative Photobook Workshop with Trent Davis Bailey, 1pm. Rosewood Arts Center
- Artist Talk: Dan Cleary, 1pm. Dayton Society of Artists
- Gallery Talk with Dr. Mariah Postlewait, 1:30pm. Dayton Art Institute
- Artist Talk: Stacy Kranitz in Conversation with Andrew Milward, 2pm. The Contemporary Dayton
- Artist Talk and Reception for Darshan, 4pm. University of Dayton: Roger Glass Center for the Arts
- Reception and Artist Talk with Trent Davis Bailey, 5pm. Rosewood Arts Center
Sunday, 10/18
- None at this time. Check back later
Vibhav Kapoor, Untitled, 2024. Digital media, pigment print, 40 × 60 inches. Courtesy of the artist
Vibhav Kapoor, Untitled, 2023. Instant color film, 3⅜ × 45/16 inches. Courtesy of the artist
Conor Martin, Untitled, 2025. Gelatin silver print, 8 × 10 inches. Courtesy of the artist
2026 Biennial
Venue Details
University of Dayton: Roger Glass Center for the Arts Gallery
29 E Creative Way
Dayton, OH 45409
(937) 229-5000
Mon–Fri 10am–8pm
Free to the Public
Nearby Venues
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