Work by Paul Morrison

In January, Philadelphia will host the inaugural year of Philagrafika 2010 (January 29 – April 11, 2010), an international festival that celebrates the role of print as a vital force in contemporary art.  Set to be one of the largest arts events in the United States, Philagrafika 2010 will showcase the work of more than 300 artists and will unite 88 Philadelphia art institutions, including Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Moore College of Art & Design, The Print Center, and Temple Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Temple University. Philagrafika 2010 is the first presentation of what will become a recurring event in Philadelphia, highlighting print in contemporary artistic practice. Philagrafika, the presenting organization for the festival, anticipates that the event will repeat every three years.  Philagrafika 2010 will offer regional, national, and international audiences the opportunity to see contemporary art that references printmaking in dynamic, unexpected ways and to experience Philadelphia’s rich cultural life in the process. To highlight the artists, exhibitions, and participating venues included in the citywide festival, Philagrafika has recently launched the new Philagrafika 2010 website.

Philagrafika 2010 is the result of more than five years of planning by the staff of Philagrafika and a group of committed individuals who have mobilized the entire community around these common interests, resulting in a citywide collective effort, which appropriately reflects the collaborative nature of printmaking itself.  Working with the curatorial team, Art Director Jose Roca traveled across continents, visiting artist studios, print shops, biennials and other art events in search of artists to include in Philagrafika 2010.

Philagrafika 2010 is divided into three components: a core curated exhibition titled The Graphic Unconscious showcasing the work of 35 artists from 18 countries displayed across 5 venues; Out of Print which pairs 5 historic institutions with 5 artists – each to create new work inspired by an institution’s collection; and Independent Projects, organized by 78 additional Philadelphia cultural institutions featuring a huge variety of monographic, group, and thematic exhibitions in which the printed image plays a central role.

Work by Orit Hofshi

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http://www.philagrafika2010.org/
http://www.philagrafika.blogspot.com/

via EM Staff, 15 December 2009 11:19am | |