2024 Jimei × Arles

The "Exhibitions from Arles" section aims to synchronize the Chinese audience with the freshest international perspectives. This July, Les Rencontres d'Arles opened with the theme of "Beneath the Surface", among which five exhibitions will be toured: a part of the Journey to the Center  by Cristina De Middel; New Farmer by Bruce Eesly; and Everyday Baroque (2014-2019) by Rajesh Vora. The Rencontres d'Arles Discovery Award, curated by Audrey Illouz in Arles 2024, presents in Jimei two projects: Raising the Dust by Coline Jourdan, presented by Le Lieu de la Photographie (Lorient, France), and An Electronic Legacy by François Bellabas, presented by The Centre Photographique d'Île-de-France.

In the 2024 edition, Jimei × Arles and Xiaohongshu once again join forces to launch the Discovery Award. The establishment of the Jimei × Arles Discovery Award aims to discover and promote talented Chinese photographers on the international stage. This year, four curators are invited to nominate a total of eight photographers as finalists. The prize winner will receive a prize supported by Xiaohongshu of RMB 100,000 (pre-tax) and will be invited to hold a solo exhibition at the next edition of the Rencontres d'Arles in France, representing a new force in Chinese photography.

The participating artists of this year’s "Jimei × Arles Discovery Award" include Alice Wang (Exhibition: The Earth is Plummeting Towards the Sun While Just Missing It) and Alison Chen (Exhibition: A Hole to the Water), nominated by curators Gan Yingying & Zhou Yichen; Kanthy Peng (Exhibition: Angelus Novus) and Zheng Andong (Exhibition: How to [Un]name a Tree), nominated by curator Michael Guo; Ivy Ma (Exhibition: Bird of Shape) and Yuk Mui Law (Exhibition: Song of the Exile, Scene II), nominated by curator Chris Wan Feng; Jia Yu (Exhibition: Strangers) and Xu Zhe (Exhibition: In Search of The Gold), nominated by curator Wang Paopao.

Co-founded with CHANEL in 2021, the mission of the Jimei × Arles Curatorial Award for Photography and Moving Image is to support young creative forces in photography and moving image art: to discover and nurture outstanding young Chinese curators and researchers. Through a series of measures including an open call for curatorial proposals, professional jury selection, master courses on curation, and project-funding support, the award aims to engage outstanding curators in interdisciplinary research and curatorial practice. The finalists’ proposals will be presented during the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival as a group exhibition. The winning proposal will be realised and presented in Beijing next year, as well as shown in other selected cities in China or overseas as a touring exhibition. Additionally, each year's winners will receive a cash prize of RMB 100,000 provided by the award.

The Jimei × Arles "Curatorial Award for Photography and Moving Image” is launching the "Curatorial Seminar," which will gather experienced curators and experts from related fields to participate in an exchange and study program focusing on the curation of contemporary photography and moving image art. This initiative aims to cultivate new curators, theoretical researchers, and art project managers in China.

The "Greetings from Asia" section has showcased the photographic art developments of countries such as Indonesia, South Korea, India, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand from 2017 to 2022. In 2023, it featured a group exhibition of photographers from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia.

This year, "Greetings from Asia" once again turns its focus to Japan, highlighting the dramatic and tumultuous artistic career of photographer Masahisa Fukase, who was active during the golden age of Japanese photography in the 20th century. The exhibition explores his forty years of representative work, outlining the complete trajectory of his artistic exploration. Private Scenes: Masahisa Fukase is co-curated by Tomo Kosuge, director of the Masahisa Fukase Archives, and Chinese curator Yan Qi.

Glinting Light: An Exploration of Luo Bonian's Photography is a special feature of this year's "Outer Regard", presenting a solo exhibition dedicated to Luo Bonian, a renowned figure in the history of photography during the Republic of China era, this exhibition is curated by Hu Jiawen It aims to honor Mr. Luo's contributions to the development of early Chinese photographic art and to provide valuable insights and inspiration for future generations of photographers. Born into a family of officials at the Hangzhou Prefecture Yamen, Luo Bonian was deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture from a young age. With his passion and dedication to photography, he made a profound impact on the Chinese photographic community during the 1930s and 1940s, both as a banker and a photographer. His works not only drew inspiration from the early pictorialist style but also integrated visual elements of Western modernist photography, boldly experimenting with techniques such as collage, thereby demonstrating the infinite possibilities of photographic art. This exhibition systematically traces the evolution of Luo Bonian's photographic explorations as a renowned photographer of the Republic of China era, displaying his precious originals and documentary materials and guiding viewers into a historical era gently embraced by time.

The "China Pulse" section will spotlight the photography and moving image practices of young artists. I Wish You Were Here, curated by Li Zijian, features artists including Bai Lin, Huang Jiayang, He Ye, Lan Dongliang, Shi Yu, Wang Yibing, Sean Wang, Wen Hao, Yan Qihan, and Yang Weihan. Centered on the themes of "nostalgia" and "hauntology," the exhibition showcases works that delve into private memory, historical legacy, and spiritual states. It seeks to uncover the "ghostly heritage" intertwined with our perception and memory, inviting viewers into a space resonating with echoes and whispers.

The "Crossover Photography" section presents a collision of diverse cultures and perspectives, featuring three exhibitions showcasing photographers Gao Yuan, Luo Dong, and Li Xiaoliang. Marking the 30th anniversary of the "Chinese Rock Power" Hong Kong Coliseum concert, the exhibition Coli3e0m Rock by Gao Yuan, curated by Liu Chang, offers a glimpse into the on-stage and behind-the-scenes moments of this iconic Chinese rock event, as well as the spirit of rock musicians from that era. Film director Luo Dong's exhibition Just One Day, curated by Jiang Feiran and supported by CHANEL, under Luo Dong's lens, presents photographs seemingly free of intricate narratives or lofty aesthetic ambitions. With a gentle and unadorned gaze, they draw the viewer into rare moments where the extraordinary quietly unfolds within the everyday. Fashion photographer Li Xiaoliang's exhibition, New Houses, curated by Shi Hantao, documents the development and evolution of ethnic culture in the Qinghai-Tibet region, seeking to explore the issue of identity arising from multi-ethnic coexistence, engaging the audience in a dialogue between “tradition” and “modernity”.  

The Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival, in collaboration with its Premium Imaging Partner vivo, proudly presents the "2024 vivo VISION + Exhibition." Curated by Jimei x Arles co-founder RongRong, this exhibition features mobile photography by renowned artists such as Alex Webb, Xiao Quan, Duan Yueheng, and Francesco Gola. Additionally, it includes exceptional works selected from 602,003 submissions from 21 countries and regions, highlighting the diversity of perspectives in mobile image art.

Deep within every image lies a reflection of the soul, it holds the depth and warmth of life. Each photograph captures a moment, serving as a conversation between the heart and the world, a vessel of emotions and meaning. Once again, vivo extends a warm invitation to image creators worldwide to participate in the 2025 vivo VISION +. vivo encourages creators to embrace mobile photography, starting from the heart. Pick up your phone, take one more shot. Observe and experience life deeply, share your passion for mobile image art, and unleash your imagination and creativity. Participants interpret their individuality through images and capture those touching moments that resonate with others.

Today, photos and images are no longer just tools for recording life; they have become unique means of expressing oneself and communicating with the world. On August 1, 2024, Xiaohongshu launched the "Xiaohongshu Inspiring Moments Award" aiming to inspire platform creators to capture the beauty of life through their lenses and present diverse perspectives. This exhibition will showcase selected excellent works from the award. These images are not only the creators' insights into life but also their capture and expression of ephemeral beauty. Each image tells a story about time, memory, and perception. We hope this exhibition is not just a display of visual images but also an opportunity to delve deeper into how images can transcend mere records of appearances and become a bridge connecting individuals to the world. The exhibition is curated by Teng Qingyun and Li Zijian.

"Isles Project" integrates the City Walk lifestyle trend, creating a synergy between multiple cities' cultural and artistic spaces during the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival. It encourages cross-media fusion and innovative expression in art. This year, the "Isles Project" features five curatorial routes: Xiamen's Dashe and Xingfu Road, the ancient cities of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, and Fuzhou's Zhuzifang, offering an artistic stroll across different cities as part of Jimei × Arles. At the same time, the "Isles Project" invites participation from cultural and art spaces, creative stores, cafes, independent bookstores, creative dining establishments, and local brands across the country, with over 40 exhibition collaborations and 200+ space collaborations already joining the initiative!