The Lens

Ariel Goldberg is a writer, curator, and photographer based in New York City. They are an experienced educator and have taught photography, writing, and contemporary art practices at numerous universities. Goldberg curated the 2022 FotoFocus Biennial exhibition Images on which to build, 1970s–1990s at the Contemporary Arts Center. Since its run in Cincinnati, Images has shown at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, New York, NY, and is currently on view at the Chicago Cultural Center through August 4, 2024. Goldberg discusses how they rotate between working on traveling Images as an exhibition and research and... Continue reading “Revel in it!” An essay by Ariel Goldberg

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

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.

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

The idea of fall arts seasons may feel like a hazy dream from another lifetime, but take heart, dear Queen City: There are several exhibitions in the region you won't want to miss this fall — listed in order of closing date.

RESIDUE, The Carnegie

A group show curated by Maria Seda Reeder, RESIDUE considers the relationship between art and audience — and how that engagement intertwines with, and changes, the work. Or in their words: "While artists act to create... Continue reading Four Lens-Based Shows To See This Fall