The Gkf photographers association will be celebrating it’s 65th anniversary with an international festival in FOAM Photography Museum Amsterdam on 23 October, 2010.
The Value of Photography
What is the value of photography in our modern society? More popular than ever, photography museums attract a large public and educational institutions receive more applications than there is room for. Private institutions seem to be sprouting like mushrooms and prices for photography are record breaking. At the same time the possibilities for publishing photo series are waning. Magazines and newspapers are under pressure because of diminishing advertising revenues and one of the first budgets being cut are the photography costs. Photographer’s copyrights are being infringed upon through unfair contracts with publishers. In the meantime photographers are experimenting with new media and looking for new possibilities as how to independently publish their work and generate revenue. There is a great need amongst photographers to exchange and share information and experiences.
During FOAM Museum’s retrospective show of legendary photographer and GKf member Johan van der Keuken, three of the museum’s exhibition rooms will be used to host the GKf festival on the 23rd of October. On this day debates, presentations and workshops will be held in these venues. At the same time portfolio reviews and film presentations will be held in other areas of the museum.
The GKf festival brings into practice its network and communicative functions within the photography world and for those who love photography. At the same time the mission of the GKf is to attract photography students and young photographers and share with them the themes and discussions taking place in the professional community.
The festival is free of charge and open to photographers, photography students and all those interested in photography. Foam museum is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
More information on the GKf: www.gkf-festival.com
Download Flyer pdf (English)
Download Press Release pdf (English)
Background
The GKf is a photographers association founded in 1945 by Cas Oorthuys, Emmy Andriesse, Eva Besnyö and Carel Blazer. Other prominent photographers soon joined, all of who played an important role in the resistance movement during the war. What possibly united these photographers was not only an artistic vision, but their clear social engagement. The GKf has a turbulent past full of high and low points and holds a pioneering role within the field of documentary photography in The Netherlands, albeit a relatively small association of approximately 230 photographers. This is due in part to the strict admissions code. Among current members are: Rineke Dijkstra, Erwin Olaf and Martin Roemers. Many Dutch photographers find support through professional associations, especially during the beginning of their career. For Documentary photographers it is the GKf: Koen Wessing received his first camera from Eva Besnyö. Young talents such as Vesselina Nicoleava and Daniëlle van Ark advise students. To this day apparent competitors help one another in both practical and artistic matters. GKf members, committee’s and board members are all professional photographers. The current board is Leo Erken (chairman), Alice Wolfs, Judith Jockel, Vesselina Nicoleava, Deen van Meer, Marco Bakker, René Gerritsen, Gerard Wessel en Michiel de Ruiter. The bureau is managed by Lizet Kraal, who is the only non-photographer affiliated with the GKf Photographers Association.
GKf, beroepsvereniging voor fotografen
De Wittenkade 75
1052 AE Amsterdam
020 6124627
(Lizet Kraal is bereikbaar op dit nummer maandag t/m woensdag van 10.00 - 17.00 uur
info@gkf-fotografen.nl
www.gkf-fotografen.nl