If you love photography there’s probably a show for you somewhere in the world in 2016. Photography is a powerful medium as art form as well as its ability to capture a moment in time.
This list of photography events covers some great events across museums, galleries, festivals, and conferences. It also covers a wide range of genres from fine art to history to culture to politics. Some are in black & white, some are in color.
With 60 events to choose from, this list is still only a fraction of the amazing photo exhibitions and festivals around the world in 2016. Some of the events below will travel, and some additional venues are noted.
I’m particularly happy to be based in California, where there are a number of excellent shows on across the state. On the other hand, I’m disappointed to miss a few great ones elsewhere in the world. But this list may influence where I wind up in Europe this fall.
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles
Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA) – April 2016
MOPLA showcases diverse photography exhibitions around the city of Los Angeles during the month of April. While there are official MOPLA events, its website also highlights other L.A. photography shows across both galleries and museums. MOPLA’s mission is to both engage the photography community and to share excellent photography exhibitions during the festival month.
Where: Various Venues Across Los Angeles
Nick Brandt: Inherit the Dust – Till May 14, 2016
Photographer Nick Brandt’s powerful and thought-provoking show contrasts his wildlife photography with dramatic changes he has observed in recent years in Africa due to increased urban sprawl, which has changed the natural landscape and displaced its animals. Inherit the Dust will also travel to Stockholm, Berlin, and Paris, before returning to the U.S. with shows in Santa Fe, and Charlottesville.
Where: Fahey/Klein Gallery
Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium – Till July 31, 2016
It’s a feast in L.A. for Mapplethorpe fans with two major shows of his work coordinated at LACMA and The Getty – a tough opportunity to miss.
LACMA: Explores Mapplethorpe’s work with his stunning attention to detail of form and lighting. The show features his iconic black white still lifes and portraits as well as Polaroids and rare color photographs and moving images. Featured are Mapplethorpe’s subject matter of New York’s sexual and artistic underground. Even today, Mapplethorpe’s images can seem shocking and voyeuristic. LACMA presents a companion exhibition, Physical: Sex and the Body in the 1980s that compares and contrasts the work of other 1980s artists.
Paul Getty Museum: This Mapplethorpe exhibition explores the artist from the studio perspective, his disciplined practice, and his fascination with classical form and fine print photography.
The Thrill of the Chase: The Wagstaff Collection – Till July 31, 2016
Influenced by his intimate relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr. became a patron of photography with the goal of elevating its acceptance as an art form. He assembled one of the most important private collections of photographs in the world, which he sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1984, forming the basis of the Museum’s Department of Photographs. This exhibition spans the history of photography, featuring lesser known photographers to more renowned artists such as Man Ray and Edward Weston.
Where: J. Paul Getty Museum
Catherine Opie: O – Till September 5, 2016
LACMA is showing the “O Portfolio” for the first time in its entirety. It seems timely that it partly overlaps with the Mapplethorpe show, given that his work, X Portfolio (1978), influenced Opie’s images depicting sadomasochistic scenes. In contrast though, while Opie’s photographs may be explicit they are more about “intimacy.” It will be interesting to see these shows together.
Where: LACMA
Cindy Sherman: Imitation of Life – June 11 – October 2, 2016
This comprehensive survey of Sherman’s work will feature around 120 images, mostly from The Broad’s own collection, accumulated regularly over the past four decades, and comprising the largest collection of her work. Sherman is known for being the subject of her own photographs, which explore roles and personas that question culture and identity.
Where: The Broad
Oakland
In Focus: Group F/64 and the Bay Area – Till May 29, 2016
A collective of early 20th century Bay Area photographers, Group F/64 fused a modernist photographic style that tended to feature a sharp-focus look. Northern California subject matter from MCAM’s permanent collection explores these innovative photographers who pioneered this new artistic style. The show features work by Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Brett Weston, and Edward Weston. Additionally, the exhibition will explore the influence of MCAM founder Albert Bender.
Where: Mills College (MCAM)
All Power to the People: Black Panthers @ 50 – October 8 – Feb 12, 2017
While this exhibit will not be exclusively photography, I predict it will be one of the most fascinating components. The intention of the installation will be to present a contemporary view of the Black Panther Party and its legacy which continues to impact social activism and community empowerment worldwide. How appropriate for this look back to take place in Oakland where it all began in 1966.
Where: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing – Nov 12 – Apr 23, 2017
OMCA will feature 100 photos gifted to the Museum by Lange 50 years ago. Through her documentation of the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, Lange created iconic images. I’m particularly interested to see her unedited proof sheets. Beyond her brilliant photography, the exhibition explores the photographer’s impact on society and politics.
Where: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
San Diego
Flor Garduño: Trilogy – Till May 29, 2016
MOPA will feature a Trilogy of Mexican photographer Garduño’s work across the themes of Bestiarium, Fantastic Women, and Silent Natures. Garduño is internationally renowned for her black and white photography.
Where: Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA)
Defying Darkness: Photography at Night – June 4 – October 2, 2016
From MOPA’s permanent collection, Defying Darkness explores how photographers have used their cameras through Night Photography, and the challenges that it poses. Featured photographers include Brassaï, Larry Clark, André Kertész, Alexander Rodchenko, Sebastiao Salgado, Edward Steichen, and Weegee.
Where: Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA)
San Francisco
A collaboration between SF Camerawork and the Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, this fascinating show takes place at both venues with complementary shows. “Retrieved” refers to the process of the three featured artists, who salvaged and reconstructed found photographs in order to create a “picture” of modern Chinese society. The complementary shows feature the works of artists Kurt Tong, Daniel Traub, and Thomas Sauvin.
SF Camerawork – Till April 16, 2016
Chinese Culture Center – Till May 14, 2016
SFMOMA – New Center for Photography – May 14, 2016
With the reopening of SFMOMA this spring, the Museum also opens its new Pritzker Center for Photography. SFMOMA already has an outstanding Photography program, so it’s especially exciting to see it expanding its commitment to Photography by tripling its space for the artform.
California and the West: Photography from the Campaign for Art – May 14 – September 5, 2016
As its inaugral photography exhibition, SFMOMA will present “California and the West” chronologically so that it can powerfully demonstrate the changes in landscape and photographic style over time. The exhibition covers from the theme from the invention of photography to present day. Photographers will include Ansel Adams, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Imogen Cunningham, Lee Friedlander, Dorothea Lange, Ed Ruscha, Larry Sultan, and Edward Weston.
Where: SFMOMA
Sebastiao Salgado – May 31, 2016
Brazilian photojournalist Salgada’s powerful black & white photographs document society of displacement and poverty across the world. This exhibition includes selections from four of his major series: the Sahel region of Africa and its catastrophic drought, manual labor, mass migration around the world, and Salgado’s latest Genesis highlighting life in the most remote regions of the planet.
WHERE: Leica Gallery
Roman Vishniac: Rediscovered – Till May 30, 2016
This exhibition examines Vishniac’s work from his early years in Berlin through postwar America. While Vishniac is known for documenting contemporary Jewish life in Eastern Europe, his diverse body of work in this exhibition is broadened due to more recently discovered work. Vishniac created a stunning photographic record that documented the Nazi rise to power and oppression, ghettoized Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, Jewish immigrant life in American, and an examination displaced Jews in Europe after the Holocaust.
Where: Jewish Contemporary Museum
Kenneth Josephson: The Light of Coincidence – April 28 – July 2, 2016
“The Light of Coincidence” features conceptual photographer Kenneth Josephson’s innovative experimental black and white images. His style is to layer pictures within pictures. Josephson’s work is examined over 6 decades across themes of nature, urbanscape, self-portraits, and more.
Where: Robert Koch Gallery
Danny Lyon: Message to the Future – November 5 – March 12, 2017
This comprehensive retrospective of about 175 photographs documents social and political themes. A preeminent American street photographer, Lyon’s style is personal, intimate, and inventive. This exhibit will first be shown at The Whitney in NYC in summer 2016.
Where: The de Young
Stanford
Who We Be – Till June 27, 2016
“Who We Be” explores changes in culture and society since 1965, looking at social justice issues from the Watts Riots to the Black Lives Matter movement in the context of multiculturalism.
Where: Cantor Arts Center
Soulmaker: The Times of Lewis Hines – May 21–September 26, 2016
A hundred years ago, Lewis Hines traveled to mills and factories in New England and the South, photographing poignant situations of child labor. This exhibition, juxtaposes Hines’ photographs with a contemporary view of the same industrial sites.
Where: Cantor Arts Center
FLORIDA…
Ft. Lauderdale
Chuck Close Photographs – Till October 2, 2016
Most widely known for his photorealist paintings, this show peeks behind the scenes of Close’s use of photography in his painting process. The show features 90 images from 1964 to present, examining the artist’s use of Polaroids to daguerreotypes and how key photography was in his work.
Where: NSU Art Museum
Miami
Miami Street Photography Festival – December 2016
Last year, HistoryMiami hosted the Miami Street Photography Festival during Art Basel week. There is nothing yet on their website about a 2nd Street Photography Festival, but this seems worth watching for a repeat. 2016 Art Basel takes place December 1 – 4.
Where: HistoryMiami
ILLINOIS…
Chicago
MoCP at 40 – Till April 10, 2016
The Museum of Contemporary Photography celebrates its 40th Anniversary, showcasing contemporary photographic art from the museum’s permanent collection. The show explores the changes photography has contributed to how we view the world. MoCP strives to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural, and political implications of the photographic image and how it impacts our world.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP)
LOUISIANA…
New Orleans
A Place and Time, Part 1: Photographs from the Permanent Collection – Till May 29, 2016
“Place and Time” is a two-part exhibition featuring photographs from the Museum’s permanent collection. Part 1 will focus on photographs dating from 1865 – 1945 and include images depicting the Civil War, Reconstruction, and early 20th century New Orleans.
Where: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Vera Lutter: Inverted Worlds – April 15 – July 17, 2016
Vera Lutter’s photographs are one-of-a-kind negative prints made inside a room-sized camera using a pinhole to create exposures that last from hours to days.
Where: New Orleans Museum of Art
Photo NOLA – December 8 – 11, 2016
Check-out Photo NOLA 2015 to get a sense of what to expect.
PhotoNOLA is an annual festival of photography, coordinated by the New Orleans Photo Alliance for the purpose of featuring diverse photography in museums, galleries, and other venues around the city. Festival programming includes exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and a gala. It’s hard to go wrong with an interesting photography festival set in music-foodie New Orleans.
Where: Various Venues Across New Orleans
MASSACHUSETTS…
Boston
Ruined When Cities Fall – April 3 – July 17, 2017
The exhibition chronicles the decline of great cities in history through 40 photographs and drawings. In conjunction with “Megacities Asia” the show explores what happens when cities fade.
Where: Museum of Fine Arts
Hiro Photographs – Till August 14, 2016
Japanese fashion photographer Hiro was raised in China and made his way to the United States in 1954. Hiro began his photography career as an assistant to Richard Avedon, launching his career in the fashion industry. Hiro’s original style used bold light, color, and offbeat originality. The MFA is the first solo exhibition for Hiro in an American museum.
Where: Museum of Fine Arts
MICHIGAN…
Detroit
The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip – June 17 – September 11, 2016
This show illustrates the romanticism of the American road trip and car culture post World War II. “The Open Road” features 19 photographers attempting to better understand America through still imagery, including Robert Frank, Ed Ruscha, Inge Morath, Garry Winogrand, William Eggleston, and Lee Friedlander.
Also at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AK until May 30.
Where: Detroit Institute of Arts
NEW YORK…
NYC
Hiro – Till April 16, 2016
A retrospective of the Japanese fashion photographer who began his photographic training as an assistant to Richard Avedon. Featuring color fashion images from the 1960s and 70s, celebrity portraits, and personal work projects, this show illustrates Hiro’s originality and innovation. Renowned for his work at Harper’s Bazaar in the 1950s and 1960s.
Where: Pace/MacGill Gallery
The AIPD Photography Show – April 14 – 17, 2016
The 36th annual AIPAD – Association of International Photography Art Dealers – Photo Show takes over the Upper Eastside with contemporary photography featuring over 80 of the world’s most prestigious galleries, special events, and panel programs.
Where: The Park Avenue Armory
John Chiara: Westside at Tioronda – April 14 – May 21, 2016
San Francisco-based artist John Chiara worked on the east coast to capture images of Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley. Chiara uses special hand-made photographic equipment to develop unique images directly onto color photographic paper, manipulating the image while it is exposed – similar to working in a darkroom. Chiara’s style is distinctively bold, inverting color to create unique abstract images.
Where: Yossi Milo Gallery
Diane Arbus: In the Beginning – 12 July – 27 November, 2016
The photography of then-groundbreaking, off-beat photographer Diane Arbus is presented in 105 photographs taken in the early years of her career between 1956 and 1962. Amazingly, about two-thirds of the photos have never before been published. Most of the images in the show are from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Diane Arbus archive, donated by Arbus’ estate in 2007.
Where: The Met Breuer
ICP Opens in the Bowery – Opens Summer 2016
In summer 2016, the International Center for Photography (ICP) will open its new museum and exhibition space in The Bowery/NYC. Founded by photographer Cornell Capa, ICP continues its founder’s mission that photography is “the most vital and effective means of global communication.”
OREGON…
Portland
Portland Photo Month – April 2016
Photolucida organizes this annual photography festival with local galleries and organizations.
Contemporary Native Photographers and the Edward Curtis Legacy – Till May 29, 2016
The show juxtaposes the early 20th century work of Edward Curtis with contemporary photographers in documenting Native Americans.
Where: Portland Museum of Art
On Democracy (Working Title) – October 7 – 29, 2016
This is an open call exhibition for photographers for this fall show. Given the volatile election year that has raised numerous and complex and polarizing issues, this could be a provocative and compelling show.
Where: Newspace Center for Photography
PENNSYLVANIA…
Pittsburgh
Fast Cars and Femmes Fatales: The Photographs of Jacques Henri Lartigue – Till May 15, 2016
Jacques-Henri Lartigue (1894–1986) began documenting the glamorous Belle-Époque and early-20th century French lifestyle at a young age. The exhibition covers 1907 to 1958, exploring Lartigue’s creative process.
Where: The Frick
TEXAS…
Dallas
Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty – April 15 through August 14
This Penn retrospective covers a large and diverse body of his work from 1941 to 2009. The exhibition features varying styles across portraits, fashion, and still-lifes with his signature touch of surrealism as influenced by Dalí, Atget, and Man Ray – juxtaposition of the unexpected. The exhibition also travels to Cambridge, MA and Nashville.
Where: Dallas Museum of Art
AUSTRIA…
Vienna
Provoke: Between Protest and Performance – Photography in Japan 1960-1975 – Till May 8, 2016
The exhibition takes a look back at the influence of the short-lived Japanese Photography magazine “Provoke” (1968-69). The show explores the unique photography style inspired by unrest and transformation in the aftermath of WWII.
Where: Albertina
FRANCE…
Arles
Arles 2016: Les Rencontres de la Photographie – July 4 – September 25, 2016
One of the longest running photography fairs, Les Rencontres de la Photographie focuses almost exclusively on finding new photographic talent. Typically around 60 exhibitions are scattered throughout the charming south of France town in galleries, museums, and historic buildings. The festival typically attracts nearly a hundred thousand visitors.
Where: Various Venues in Arles
Paris
The Unbearable Lightness: The 1980s Photography (Les Années 1980, l’Insoutenable Légèreté) – Till May 23, 2016
The 1980s is examined through 60 works by more than 20 artists, including Jean-Paul Goude Unglee, Présence Panchounette, Martin Parr, and Helen Carrey. The show mixes well-known works with lesser known popular iconography of the time.
Where: Centre Pompidou
Christine Spengler: L’Opera du Monde 1970-2016 – April 6 – June 5, 2016
Christine Spengler’s work looks utterly compelling with its contrast of black & white photos with colorful sculptural sensibility. I’m disappointed I won’t be in Paris for this one, but glad that Spengler is now on my radar. She’s showing with two other interesting exhibits including Patrick Zachmann’s “So Long, China 1982-2015.” With its focus on photography, MEP is one of my favorite spaces – not quite gallery, not quite museum. It has a museum feel because it is so well and extensively curated, but it has no permanent collection of its own. MEP typically packs in a few fabulous shows in a relatively intimate setting. While it’s always crowded with people packed into a fairly intimate space, I will brave MEP every time.
Where: Maison Europenne la Photographie (MEP)
Rodin: Between Sculpture & Photo – April 12 – July 17, 2016
The exhibition looks at eight 20th century artists who worked with sculpture and photography. The show explores the synchronicity of the two mediums, exploring the human form, light, and landscape.
Where: Musee Rodin
Paris Photo – November 10 – 13, 2016
November is Photography month is Paris, anchored by Paris Photo – this will be its 20th anniversary. Paris photo typically features photographic works from more than a hundred galleries from over 30 countries around the world. While Paris Photo is the anchor, you’ll typically find great photo exhibits all over town for the month of November.
Where: Grand Palais
Tours
Capa in Color – Till May 29, 2016
This exhibition presents over a hundred color photography works by photojournalist and ICP founder Robert Capa. This post-war body of work sought to illustrate a glamorous lifestyle that was enhanced by color, in contrast to Capa’s earlier black & white work during the war. “Capa in Color” is drawn entirely from the Robert Capa Archive in International Center for Photography’s permanent collection.
Where: Jeu de Paume, Tours
GERMANY…
Berlin
Lee Miller Photographs – Till June 12, 2016
The exhibition presents the entire spectrum of Lee Miller’s photographic work crossing genres from fashion to portrait to travel photography. The 100 photographs explore Miller’s life from muse of Man Ray in Paris in the 1930s to photo-journalist during WW II.
Where: Martin-Gropium-Bau
Month of Photography: Berlin – October 2016
Look for festival details closer to the event date.
Where: Various Berlin Locations
IRELAND…
Dublin
Rising – Till October 31, 2016
“Rising” is a major photographic exhibition which presents 60 of the most important photographs of the 1916 Easter Rising, the pivotal event that ultimately led to Irish independence. The photos illustrate the Rising’s impact on Dublin’s city center. The exhibition uses multimedia to bring this historical event to life.
Where: National Photographic Archive Gallery, Meeting House Square
NETHERLANDS…
Rotterdam
Ulay: Polaroids – Till May 1
This is the first exhibition dedicated to German photographer Ulay’s (Frank Uwe Laysiepen) Polaroids. Ulay is known for pioneering the Polaroid as an art form and experimenting with the medium. The show will feature both Ulay’s early and recent work.
Where: Nederlands Fotomuseum
Philippe Halsman: Astonish Me – Till June 12, 2016
This Halsman retrospective presents the work of one of the 20th century’s most preeminent photographers, renowned for his portraits of and collaborations with famous people. The exhibition features of 300 works not previously shown that reveal Halsman’s unique and inventive perspective and attention to detail.
Where: Kunsthal Museum
POLAND…
Warsaw
Photo Conference: Discovering Peripheries: Photographic Histories in Central and Eastern Europe – May 31 – June 1, 2016
This conference focuses on the understudied area of art photography in the former Communist bloc. Conference speakers will explore such topics propaganda, local photographic theories and historiographies, national identities, and social and political processes.
Where: Warsaw, Poland
SPAIN…
Madrid
Julia Margaret Cameron – Till May 15, 2016
English photographer Julia Margaret Cameron is known for her portraits and is considered one of the most important and innovative figures of 19th century photography. This retrospective consists of more than 100 photographs which explores this unconventional artist, who didn’t start taking photos until she was 48 years old.
Where: Fundacion MAPFRE
SWITZERLAND…
Basel
Photo Basel – June 15 – 19, 2016
This Photography festival takes place during the influential Art Basel. Photo Basel focuses on both emerging and classic photography from some of the best galleries around the world.
Where: Volkshaus Basel
UK…
London
Vogue 100: A Century of Style – Till May 22, 2016
This exhibition takes a look back at a hundred years of stunning Vogue magazine fashion photography featuring famous models, taken by some of the best photographers of the day including the likes Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn, Edward Steichen, and Steven Meisel.
Where: National Portrait Gallery
Strange & Familiar – Till June 19, 2016
More than 250 works have been curated by iconic British photographer Martin Parr in this photo show that examines how international photographers have captured UK society through cultural and political identity. “Strange & Familiar” features the work of such photographers as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank and Garry Winogrand.
Where: Barbican
40 Years of Punk – May 13 – October 2, 2016
As part of the year-long celebration of the Punk movement’s 40th anniversary, there will be all kinds of exhibitions and celebrations in London throughout the year. While this exhibition will include audio, video, and other punk culture of the day, photographs will be a key aspect capturing the period. Another photography event will take place at The Photographers Gallery. This is a birthday celebration difficult to resist.
Where: The British Library
Paul Strand: Photography and Film for the 20th Century – Till July 3, 2016
A major retrospective across Paul Strand’s (1890-1976) career, whose influence on fine art and documentary photography is still felt today. This exhibition features the American Southwest, Mexico, New England, Europe, Morocco, and beyond. Those lucky enough to see this touring exhibition in London will be able to view additional vintage prints from the V&A’s own impressive photography collection.
Where: Victoria & Albert Museum Brompton
London Urban Photo Fest – November 3 – 7, 2016
This internationally renowned 2-day conference will explore Photography, Memory and Archive. The festival will also offer a wide range of events and exhibitions.
Bonus: Here is a great
resource for Photo Festivals
across the world.
