As the first international exhibition focusing on the field of contemporary art and photography in Xiamen, Jimei X Arles: East West Encounters International Photo Festival 2015 has successfully opened the door of contemporary art for Xiamen, and has promoted the local art and cultural life as well as the international recognition of Xiamen city.
With the support of committee and government in Jimei District, Xiamen, Jimei X Arles International Photo Festival 2015 was jointly initiated by Sam Stourdze, the director of Les Rencontres d’Arles, and RongRong, the founder of Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. Both of them play the role of art director of this festival, while independent curator Li Zhenhua serves as CEO of the event. The international curatorial team of Jimei X Arles: East West Encounters International Photo Festival 2015 consists of more than 30 persons, and this exhibition involves 1,635 works from 388 international artists who come from 16 countries and regions such as China, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, United States, Japan, Norway, Britain, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Singapore, Italy, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Among those works, there are 66 video works (including two online projects), 56 installations (one interactive installation), one performance and two book fairs (150 photography books). Meanwhile, a series of relevant events were held during the period of festival, such as 28 seminars, conferences, lectures, screenings, shows and 12 meetings with experts.
Founded in 1970, the Les Rencontres d’Arles de la photographie is the earliest as well as the most influential photo festival in the world. The Arles Discovery Award can be traced back to 2002, which has also been launched in Jimei X Arles International Photo Festival this year. The award system of the first Jimei X Arles Discovery Award includes one Jimei X Arles Discovery Award and three Jimei X Arles Nomination Award. Upholding the spirit of Arles Discovery Award, the Jimei X Arles Discovery Award is curated by RongRong, the founder of Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Sam Stourdze, the director of Les Rencontres d’Arles, and independent curator Li Zhenhua. With the support of committee and government in Jimei District, the founders of Jimei X Arles International Photo Festival organized a professional team for the selection. The winner of the Jimei X Arles Discovery Award (RMB 200,000) is Zhu Lanqing, a female artist who born in 1991, Fujian Province, and now lives in Taipei. Daisuke Yokota, Zhang Zengzeng and Shen Xiaomin won the Jimei X Arles Nomination Award (RMB 50,000 for each). About the results of winning, Li Zhenhua, the CEO of Jimei X Arles International Photo Festival, said: ”Even though art and photography are insignificant creations among the social upheavals nowadays and they may not change the world, they can change our ways of looking at the world. Moreover, we can gain courage from our actions. The Jimei X Arles Nomination Award is provided for those artists who have the courage to express their emotion and feelings in the social reality.”
It is reported that the Jimei X Arles International Photo Festival 2015 attracted more than 50,000 viewers from home and abroad since its opening on November 15, 2015. We sincerely thank all the visitors, guests, participant artists and staffs. See you in Jimei, Xiamen, 2016.
