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FotoFest is pleased to announce the debut of artist Mark Menjívar’s commissioned installation, Looking Up (Voices from Jack Yates High School), at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and the Biennial’s 2024 programming schedule.
Programs include exhibition receptions, auction events, artist talks, curatorial tours, film screenings, family-friendly events, photography portfolio sharing events, and professional development workshops for artists and educators. Visit fotofest.org/fotofest-biennial-2024 for the latest schedule of programs.
Mark Menjívar’s Looking Up
Inspired by teaching philosophies developed during the 1960s civil rights movement and Freedom Schools curricula, Looking Up brings together Jack Yates High School Students’ photographs of the sky above their school. The photographs are overlaid with text from collective manifestos by the students that describe their ideal school. The multi-part artwork offers a glimpse into the students’ hopes and dreams for their school community.
Looking Up (Voices from Jack Yates High School) is installed in various locations in Houston, including an installation of 28 large (57”x70”) transparencies on windows located between Terminals C and D at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. As part of Critical Geography, the project is co-presented by FotoFest, its Literacy Through Photography Learning Program, and the Public Art Program at Houston Airports. Looking Up is on view at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport through December 31, 2024.
55 photographic prints from the series will also be at the 2024 FotoFest Biennial exhibition, Critical Geography, at Sawyer Yards, from March 9 to April 11, 2024. Following the exhibition, these prints will be installed at Jack Yates High School until the end of the school year, then given to the participating students to display in their homes.
Receptions
FotoFest will celebrate the opening of Biennial 2024 exhibitions, Critical Geography and Ten by Ten. Meet the artists, curator, and exhibition organizers while enjoying refreshments.
Grand Opening: Critical Geography
Saturday, March 9, 8–11pm
Artist Reception: Ten by Ten: Ten Portfolios from the Meeting Place 2022–23
Saturday, March 16, 6–8pm
Auction events
The FotoFest Fine Print Auction features a curated selection of museum-quality prints by renowned artists and photographers from around the globe. The Fine Print Auction and Gala is preceded by an Auction preview and a talk and tour by FotoFest executive director Steven Evans.
Fine print auction preview
Saturday, March 10–21, 9am–5pm
Director’s talk and tour
Thursday, March 14, 12pm
Live Auction and Gala
Thursday, March 21, 6–11pm
Creative Conversations
FotoFest’s Creative Conversations series boasts a substantial lineup of artists in dialogue with art and photography experts. Artists will discuss their practice in relation to their work included in Biennial 2024 exhibitions.
Creative Conversations: FotoFest x CatchLight with Adrian L. Burrell, Rafael Vilela, Elodie Maillet Storm, and Steven Evans
Sunday, March 10, 5pm
Creative Conversations: Elizabeth Chiles, Rebecca Finley, Rashed Haq, Richard Sharum, and Raymond Thompson Jr. in Conversation with Brandon Zech
Friday, March 15, 6pm
Creative Conversations: Marina Planas and Lynn Silverman
Sunday, March 17, 12pm
Creative Conversations: Mark Menjívar in Conversation with Chelsea Jones
Tuesday, March 19, 5pm
Film Program
The FotoFest Biennial 2024 Film Program includes short films, artist videos, and feature-length films that reflect themes explored in the Biennial 2024 exhibition, Critical Geography. The program features contemporary cinematic works by directors from around the globe.
Film Program: Glorious Things at Rice Cinema
Friday, March 22, 6pm
Film Program: Glorious Things at Rice Cinema
Saturday, March 23, 4pm
Film Program: Critical Geography Shorts
Thursday, March 28, 6:30–8pm
Film Program: Chinatown
Saturday, April 6, 7pm
FotoFun family event
Organized by the FotoFest Learning Program, the FotoFun Drop-In Workshops provide families and youth with hands-on, artist-led workshops. Guests will use photography and writing to interpret the Biennial 2024 exhibition, Critical Geography, and create artwork they can take home.
FotoFun drop-in workshops
Saturday, April 13, 12–5pm
Tours and walks
Learn about the works featured in the FotoFest Biennial 2024 exhibition, Critical Geography, with curator Steven Evans and Biennial 2024 artists, and see new work at the Unfiltered: Portfolio Walks, featuring images and prints by photographers participating in the Meeting Place Portfolio Review.
Curatorial Tour: Critical Geography
Sunday, March 10, 2pm
Unfiltered: Portfolio Walk
Monday, March 11, 7–9pm
Unfiltered: Portfolio Walk
Monday, March 18, 7–9pm
Workshops
FotoFest offers professional development workshops for photographers, artists, and industry professionals. This year’s workshops focus on publishing and writing in the classroom.
Workshop: Publish Your Photography Book
Friday, March 15, 9am–5pm
Educator workshop
Wednesday, March 20, 6–8pm
