For a young artist, navigating the world of photography can initially be challenging. In fact, let’s be honest—it always is. The photo world is a dense forest of unwritten rules and conventions, inspirations and opportunities, and unexpressed possibilities and potential ideas. In this interplay of light and shadow, it’s easy to get lost, disoriented by the multitude of factors to consider. This is why educational programs designed to support and guide young talent are among the most important initiatives in the cultural sector.
Mentorship
In April, I had the honor of working with Fotodok, specifically its Talent Embassy program, which aims to support the involvement of 10 emerging photographers from the Netherlands in prestigious international photography festivals across Europe. My role was to provide mentorship before and during the opening days of Fotografia Europea, one of the largest photography festivals in Italy, where five of the selected artists traveled for the first time. As a curator, writer, and coordinator of photography-related projects, engaging with artists is a crucial part of my practice. Festivals are where I grew up professionally. Combining these two aspects has been an incredibly inspiring experience for me (yes, curators need inspiration too, and often it is the artists who provide it).
It has been a little over a month since I first met the artists Chris Becher, Jesper Boot, Emma van Dobben, Mark Rammers, and Pippilotta Yerna, along with Lisanne van Happen, Talent Development & Curator, and Marta Camagna and Eleonora Schianchi, the producers. Our initial gathering was a wonderful informal dinner around a laid table, preceded by an immersive review of the artists projects in preparation for their portfolio reviews with the experts invited by the festival. This was the first of many meetings over the following days, where the group had the opportunity to interact with various figures in the field, from curators to photographers, either showcasing their work or simply listening to their experiences.
Inspiration from unexpected sources
What fascinates me about these moments is the diversity of feedback that we curators, editors, and others can provide. I firmly believe that the greatest inspirations often come from unexpected sources—chance encounters, different approaches, and even from those we might initially avoid. It’s in these unexpected spaces and misaligned perspectives that open-mindedness and a willingness to embrace the unknown are fostered. Meeting people from various fields and backgrounds, whose practices may or may not align with one’s own interests, is a key part of growth. The days at Fotografia Europea served this purpose well: we had unexpected, unplanned opportunities, such as last-minute pitches conceived in the temporal space between a coffee and a spritz, but the inspirations came from everywhere. From the exhibitions, of course, from the visit to the Archivio Luigi Ghirri which the group had the unique chance to visit, from the countless books browsed. But also from the unusual gestures that quickly became everyday moments—these small, shared moments of a passing routine spontaneously turned into something magical.
Among all this, there was that special atmosphere you only find at photography festivals—the feeling that, in the end, everything is possible. You just have to believe it. After working many years in the sector, we all know it’s more complicated than that, but seeing the glowing eyes of those who approach photography with the hope of conveying their message is a unique opportunity to refresh our spirits. Accompanying young artists in their growth and discovery is a privilege. It is through engagement with them that we, curators, validate the purpose of our work. Helping them to envision the developments and potential of their paths is an ethical contribution to our field, providing the fuel that keeps us moving forward and striving for more.
Interpersonal relationships
I was truly amazed by the enthusiasm and genuineness with which this diverse and talented group embraced this experience, which I would call unique in the field of international photography education. It was a hands-on experience where the individual is at the center, yet always within a group context, and where the human dimension and interpersonal relationships play a key role. An experience that teaches you to always take yourself seriously, to work on yourself, while remaining aware that we are all part of a larger system. In festivals you learn that there is a community out there, ready to support you. And it’s important not to forget that, but to make it a mantra for years to come.
Rica Cerbarano
