An Unromantic Take on Critical Documentary Practice
Run by Mathieu Asselin and Lavinia German
13:30 – 17:00, with lunch break
Faculty of Visual Arts and Design, Iași
Building D
Join us for a day of exchange, mutual learning, and critical thinking as we delve into the world of critical documentary photography.
- A deeper understanding of the role and potential of documentary photography in today’s world.
- Insights into transforming outrage into productive criticism that fosters change.
- Contemplation of the ethical and aesthetic aspects of documentary practice.
- Exploration of the power of visual strategies and the possibilities (or impossibilities) of influencing society.
- Research as a tool to shape a project
- „Show me the money” Guidance on navigating the turbulent waters of commercialisation, funding, to maintaining coherence in your work ethically speaking.
About critical documentary photography
Critical documentary photography is a genre of photography that goes beyond simply recording events or issues and instead seeks to engage with, critique, and challenge prevailing social, political, and cultural norms in a multilayered outcome. It uses artistic means such as visual aesthetics to effectively convey its message. This genre embraces subjectivity and allows photographers to bring their own perspectives and interpretations to the issues they document.
Preparation for the workshop
We invite you to bring and present and ongoing documentary photographic project.
* Mathieu Asselin is a documentary photographer, Professor at KASK and Royal Conservatory / School of Arts,University College, Ghent, Belgium. More info: https://www.mathieuasselin.com/
* Lavinia German is a Professor of Photography at “George Enescu” National University of the Arts in Iași.
More info about Iasi Educational Event: https://www.artsummerschool.ro/
This project is funded by CNFIS (The National Council for Financing Higher Education in Romania) through a Fund for Institutional Development, CNFIS-FDI-2023-F-0142.
