Caochangdi PhotoSpring’s Third Is Bigger and Better

Caochangdi PhotoSpring is heading into its third year, having become one of Beijing’s most highly anticipated cultural events with equal parts street cred, art scene legitimacy and just plain fun. The festivities start this Saturday, April 21 at 3pm in the courtyard of the beautiful Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. Enjoy sunshine and world-class photography - all for free! But first, we have a chat with co-founder Berenice Angremy as she opens up about …

… the original Arles Festival and how it translates to Beijing
"Photography professionals and amateurs have met in one of the most picturesque and ancient little towns in the south of France every year for the last 40 years to share their passion for photography. We want to create this atmosphere of community and enthusiasm here in Beijing with a platform for photography that is not too big, fancy, or superficial. We want the festival to be a creative meeting point, yet not so underground that we can’t gather the best in photography from around the world. It was easy to think about the Arles atmosphere in places like Caochangdi or the 798, because they are like villages and already have contemporary art communities. However, we didn’t want Caochangdi PhotoSpring to simply replicate Arles. We wanted to share the unique vitality of Beijing’s photography and art scenes with a wider audience."

… China’s young photographers
“Young photographers in China are very creative. They are not self-conscious about a work’s size or medium, so they don’t look at production as a limitation, but rather as a potential creative outlet. Thanks to internet, they have broadened their horizons, looking constantly for new sources of inspiration. The young generation is self-centered, but also very receptive to photographic techniques. The digital revolution didn’t end photography; many young Chinese photographers are rediscovering the charm of old photography methods.”

… how PhotoSpring shields Caochangdi from demolition
“We didn’t create PhotoSpring with the intention of saving Caochangdi; the festival was a week from opening when we heard about the threat of demolition. However, PhotoSpring has obviously had an impact. Before PhotoSpring, Caochangdi was just an obscure area outside of the fifth ring road unknown to any of the relevant authorities. Because of the festival, Caochangdi arrived on the Beijing map. The PhotoSpring team also used its diplomatic relationships with Germany, France, Australia, and other countries to lobby for the protection of Caochangdi.”

… the clout of the Three Shadows Photography Award
“It is a precious opportunity for young photographers. Gallerists and other professionals now count on this event to help them discover new talent. Just by looking at the crowds present at the award ceremony, you can see the influence that the Three Shadows Award now has on photography in China.”

... public funding in France vs. China
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In France, public funds provided by local governments and government departments allow creative projects to exist. In China, most events can be realized only if you have “relationships.” The concept of supporting cultural activities for the benefit of China’s citizens has not completely been accepted by the government, despite the national priority of investing in "soft power" such as the visual arts. An event like PhotoSpring is a successful engagement with the cultural landscape of the city; therefore one would hope that it would be largely financed by Chinese institutions. However, once again this year PhotoSpring is mainly supported by foreign institutions like the French Institute and by private sponsors like Peugeot, who understand the festival’s potential and the visibility the event provides them."

… advice for budding photographers
“First, always remain independent; great photography comes from true independence of spirit. Second, open your eyes and your soul at the same time. Third, come to the festival to meet other photography lovers!”

Don’t miss PhotoSpring’s opening day festivities on Apr 21.

Click here to see the April issue of the Beijinger in full.