Octavia by Julia Fullerton-Baton, 2014

LOOK is delivered biennially and is the north of England’s premier Photographic Festival, which in 2013 delivered engaging events and mass-participation to over 325,000 people. Liverpool’s history has been – and continues to be – much associated with exchange; whether physical, cultural, economic or educational. Thus “EXCHANGE” will explore these interchanges through a series of diverse exhibitions and events that examine migrations, trade, travel and transport. The theme couldn’t be timelier; underpinning the festival is Cunard’s 175th anniversary, attracting Three Queens of the sea to the Mersey, creating a visual spectacular that links the river to the ocean, the city with its transatlantic neighbours and ultimately, Liverpudlians with the world.

As with previous festivals, LOOK/15 draws from pools of emerging, mid-career and established artists and practitioners. LOOK/15 will showcase work in new lights, deliver new commissions and display work not previously seen in the city and sometimes anywhere else before.

There are works and events from, about or by Xavier Ribas and Ignacio Acosta (Chile), Jona Frank (USA), Tony Mallon, Bryn Davies, Steward Ellett (all Liverpool, UK), B3 Media (UK), Tricia Porter (UK), Ian Wiblin and Anthea Kennedy (UK), Marco Iuliano (Italy)… and many other people, of the city and beyond.

Cherise Smith Tiber Young Peoples Steering Group by Othello De’Souza-Hartley

Selected highlights include:

until 31 May | St George’s Hall
31st AOP Photography Awards
Showcase of the cream of commercial photography.

until 31 May | The Brindley
Black Glass Studios: Historic Photographic Processes
A display of works detailing the historic techniques of wet plate collodion and cyanotype photography being revived in the 21st century.

until 6 September | Museum of Liverpool
Othello De’Souza-Hartley: L8 Unseen
Striking large-scale photographs of families of the Liverpool 8 area captured in a range of locations.

15 – 27 May | The Gallery
Sheila Rock: Tough and Tender
Former punk documenter and party girl Sheila Rock, focusses on the quieter, sombre seascapes of the UK.

LOOK/15 runs from 15 – 31 May at various venues in Liverpool. See the full festival programme online here.

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