The seventh edition of the renowned Catalan festival, Cadaqués Photo Festival 2023, boasts a star-studded lineup including the likes of Frank Horvat, David Lynch, Weegee, and the local legend Salvador Dalí. Set against the backdrop of Cadaqués, drenched in the gentle rays of October’s Indian summer, this event showcases the works of thirty-five international artists across twenty-five exhibitions, including three immersive underwater displays in the bay near the beaches.
Beyond the glittering names, we find a wealth of promising talent. Notably, the open call at the exquisite Iturria gallery revealed exceptional quality, with Chloé Milos Azzopardi emerging as the winner. At just 29 years old, Azzopardi presents stunning black and white photographs that blend fiction and documentary reality. Everyday objects, typically designed for convenience, are whimsically crafted from natural elements like twigs, offering a glimpse into a primitive science fiction world intertwined with humor—a collection of peculiar, playful, and oddly intriguing photographs.
Richard Pak’s photographic episodes recount the poignant narrative of Nauru, an Oceania island that has undergone dramatic economic growth through the exploitation of underground phosphorus, only to plummet into economic and ecological decline. His images, ranging from portraits to allegorical, scarred landscapes, appear surreal yet serve as a metaphor for the very real consequences of unchecked human greed. He was awarded the Photography & Science Prize 2023 Residency 1+2.
In the serene confines of the Church of Santa Maria, Toni Privat, hailing from the world of agriculture, explores philosophical themes connected to beauty and the passage of time. He often emphasizes, “Nature shows us the way,” revealing the intimate relationship between humans and nature through depictions of toiling hands, gestures, and the cyclical nature of sowing, waiting, and harvesting—much like his farmer father before him.
Maya Mercer captures a vision of an America fraught with anxiety, while Shawn Dogimont, the driving force behind Hobo magazine, shares his creative perspective. Deidi Schaewen’s majestic sacred trees of India grace Corral de Gala with elegance and grace.
Cadaqués Photo Festival remains committed to education with workshops on cyanotype and pinhole photography, along with two Lomography workshops hosted at the Cristina Hotel. The festival also offers film screenings at the Art i Joia theater, featuring works such as Deïdi Von Schewen’s “Man Ray” and Maya Mercer’s “The Darkroom Rumor.” Portfolio readings, masterclasses, and the opportunity to engage in conversations with the photographers and authors during the opening weekend are among the event’s many offerings. And let’s not forget the festive evenings that have become an integral part of this event’s celebrated reputation.
