Photography and lens-based art is often, even unconsciously, taken for granted as being disembodied from physical reality. However, without catalytic objects such works would not be possible. For this exhibition Manifest is interested in reminding artists and the public of this fact by showcasing works that reveal the ‘objectness’ of photography either through display of the works themselves, the mechanisms crafted to create lens-based experiences, dialogs between photographic works and their physical subjects, or narrative works explaining the complicated entanglement of light and form.

By playing off the notion stated in FotoFocus’s originally planned Biennial theme that, “Light is a fundamental aspect of photography,” Manifest completes the statement by adding, “…and physical form gives photography its substance and relevance to the human experience.” With this the exhibition theme is open to very broad interpretation.

This exhibit has no defined expectation for type or style of work to be considered or selected. Submissions can range from the most traditional to the most conceptual, abstract, or experimental photography, photo-based, or lens-based works*. Feel free to email us here if you have any questions about submitting work to this exhibit.