Nida to host international photography symposium celebrating 200 years of the medium

Nida, Lithuania, is set to become a hub for photographic artists with the upcoming international symposium organized by the Lithuanian Union of Photographers. Scheduled for September 14-20, the event is recognized as the largest photography gathering in Lithuania and a significant fixture on the European arts map.

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This year marks the 200th anniversary of photography as a medium worldwide. In 1826, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce captured the first photograph; around the same time, this invention was patented in France. We will pay special attention to this unique anniversary, examining the history of world and Lithuanian photography in various lectures. Of course, artists' presentations, lectures, and exhibitions in various Nida spaces will also await photography enthusiasts.

This year's symposium holds special significance as it coincides with the 200th anniversary of photography. The event will delve into the medium's rich history, from Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's first photograph in 1826 to its patenting in France. Lectures will explore both global and Lithuanian photographic heritage, complemented by artist presentations, talks, and exhibitions across various Nida locations.

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AI's influence and raise questions about the future of photography.

Key international figures will lend their expertise. Florian Ebner, head of the Photography Department at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, will discuss artificial intelligence's influence on photography's future, drawing from Hito Steyerl's research. Monika Krikštopaitytė, an art critic and curator, will analyze historical texts in her lecture "Altered Gaze: Additions and Problems in Photography History." Photography historian Dainius Junevičius will trace photography's early steps in Lithuania from 1839-1855, while Guinevere Ras, a curator from the Netherlands Photography Museum, will present on the cyanotype process.

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Altered Gaze: Additions and Problems in Photography History

Attendees can also look forward to presentations by acclaimed photographers. Ukrainian artist Boris Mikhailov, known for his candid portrayals of Soviet and post-Soviet life, is a highly anticipated guest. Oleksandr Hlyadelov, who has been documenting the war in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion, will also share his work. Other international participants include French artist Raphaëlle Peria, showcasing her unique direct drawing technique on photographic surfaces, and Dutch artist Paulien Olheter, who documents life along the former Iron Curtain routes by bicycle.

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The first steps of photography in Lithuania (1839-1855)