Of all the cultural events happening this weekend, Photoville is definitely a must see. Located at the Uplands of Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, this massive annual photography event continues throughout the weekend with even more programming and discussions.
The free event, first introduced in 2012, is organized by United Photo Industries and is a pop-up town built on the shore of the East River. It is composed out of shipping containers that have been repurposed into small gallery-like displays of hundreds of photographers’ work.
“At the end of the day, this is not just about photography. it’s about storytelling…and storytelling is incredibly universal. we have over 60 stories [exhibitions] from all over the world from different perspectives.”
Each container is designed inside and out to allow as many people as possible to browse the works without the constrains of a traditional gallery/museum setting. The open venue overlooks scenic downtown Manhattan, has local eats and drinks (Smorgasburg and a beer garden!), and a variety of daytime and nighttime events. It also boasts unique exhibitions from influential photographers and leading photography organizations like National Geographic, Getty Images, and The New York Times.
One favored exhibition is in collaboration with the Getty Images Instagram which is solely dedicated to photographers that utilize Instagram to document impoverished or underrepresented communities from all over the world. Getty has awarded a $10,000 cash grant and mentorship with the organization to three lucky winners: @adrianazehbrauskas, @dcim.ru, @afterranaplaza.
Photoville is more than just another hipster art fair. It is an interactive and inspiring community that enables a connection between professionals and novices – allowing everyone to gain a greater appreciation for the art of photography.
So be sure to head over to the Brooklyn Pier this weekend to grab a beer and admire some great works. It’s a super photogenic atmosphere so, so be prepared to Instagram your heart out and make sure to tag @photovillenyc.
