Photo by Jacob Drabik

The Lens

The Lens is the FotoFocus editorial platform, highlighting our programming and featuring in-depth conversations on photography and the moving image drawn from perspectives and insights in our community, throughout our region, and around the globe.


Creative Time and FotoFocus Present: The Convening

Posted on July 25, 2023

FotoFocus is pleased to announce its partnership with Creative Time for The Convening, a special series of public talks and performances in Cincinnati, featuring artists, critics, curators, and other distinguished guest speakers. A welcome event and performance will take place at Mecca on Friday, October 20, 2023, followed by a full day of discussions held at two venues: the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Contemporary Arts Center, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Structured loosely around three earth-based thematics—land, waterways, and trees—The Convening will bring together national and local artists, activists, and thinkers whose work considers histories of land, particularly American histories that coalesce... Continue reading Creative Time and FotoFocus Present: The Convening

The Convening Welcome Reception, Presented by Creative Time and FotoFocus

Posted on

FotoFocus is pleased to announce its partnership with Creative Time for The Convening, a special series of public talks and performances in Cincinnati, featuring artists, critics, curators, and other distinguished guest speakers. A welcome event and performance will take place at Mecca on Friday, October 20, 2023, followed by a full day of discussions held at two venues: the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Contemporary Arts Center, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Structured loosely around three earth-based thematics—land, waterways, and trees—The Convening will bring together national and local artists, activists, and thinkers whose work considers histories of land, particularly American histories that coalesce... Continue reading The Convening Welcome Reception, Presented by Creative Time and FotoFocus

Lens-Based Shows To See This Summer

Posted on July 19, 2023

With FotoFocus in a non-Biennial year, you may be wondering how you can get your fix of lens-based shows. The good news? There are several exhibitions in the region you won't want to miss this summer—listed in order of closing date.

Ecologies of Elsewhere, CAC

This group show is curated by Dr. Chandra Frank, an independent curator and Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati, and Dr. Portia Malatjie, Senior Lecturer in Visual Cultures at the University of... Continue reading Lens-Based Shows To See This Summer


Mary Mattingly Named 2023 Guggenheim Fellow

Posted on May 9, 2023

2022 FotoFocus Biennial Artist Mary Mattingly was named as a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and plans to use this opportunity for a project, Shoal, that will utilize waterways common law as a workaround for public land laws. This will increase the accessibility of public food in New York City by continuing to change foraging and growing policy on public land. FotoFocus welcomed Mattingly to Cincinnati in April 2022 for the Telephotography Symposium and pieces from her project Pull were part of the 2022 FotoFocus Curated Exhibition, On The Line.

Continue reading Mary Mattingly Named 2023 Guggenheim Fellow

2022 FotoFocus Biennial Artist Baseera Khan Wins MTV Reality Competition

Posted on April 18, 2023

2022 FotoFocus Biennial Artist Baseera Khan recently won MTV's reality competition The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist. Khan competed against six other artists for the chance to win a cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. FotoFocus reached out to Khan to learn more about their experience on the show.

Anyone living in the 21st-century is likely familiar with the cultural phenomenon that is reality television competition. From MTV originals like The Real World and the plethora... Continue reading 2022 FotoFocus Biennial Artist Baseera Khan Wins MTV Reality Competition