From Selfies To Space Here's What To See At Ballarat International Foto Biennale

From celestial images to selfies, the 12th Ballarat International Foto Biennale pools together a program of over 100 exhibitions from local and international artists, including David LaChapelle.

Founded in 2005, Australia’s only photographic biennale will take place in notable heritage locations around Ballarat, including the Art Gallery of Ballarat, The Mining Exchange, the Minerva Room, The Ballarat Observatory, Post Office Gallery and the Town Hall. “The 2017 Ballarat International Foto Biennale is a feast for the image-obsessed”, said newly appointed festival director Fiona Sweet. “The town will be immersed in photography, and the small city of Ballarat is ideal in its accessibility, everything is within 10 minutes of each other. This is about discovery of photography within the unique spaces of Ballarat.”

Stateless Gohar Dashit, Courtesy of TS Publicity

Headlining the program is American iconoclast David LaChapelle, whose hyper-realistic photos have graced the covers of Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Italian Vogue and French Vogue. Curated by David himself, the retrospective will feature up to 90 works from the last three decades. “When I realised he had never exhibited in Australia, I knew that LaChapelle would be incredibly significant for the Biennale,” said Fiona Sweet. “David La Chapelle is one of the rare photographers able to transcend the barriers between fine art and commercial photography, often with a profound social message.”

Pieta Courtney Love David LaChapelle Courtesy of TS Publicity

TELL, an assemblage of photos showcasing the work of 17 contemporary Indigenous photographers, including Maree Clarke, Bindi Cole Chocka and Warwick Thornton.

Maziar Moradi’s emotive exhibit Ich Werde Deutsch (I Become German) looks at the personal journeys of young immigrants in Germany.

Rearranging Boundaries amalgamates the work of documentary photographers and visual activists from some of the most controversial corners of the planet.

Self/Selfie creatively investigates 21st century autobiographical documentation and narcissistic culture.

A Field Guide to the Stars leads visitors through a constellation of photomedia at Ballarat Observatory.

Curated by Michelle Mountain, Reverie Revelry is a survey of mid-20th century fashion photography, including that of Bruno Benini alongside other contemporary artists and photographers.

For the first time, the Biennale will feature a free Public Outdoor Program displaying the work of Iranian photographers Shadi Ghardirian and Gohar Dashti. Exposing gender and social issues in Iran, the photographs prompt a feminist dialogue with images that contradict the social norm in Iran, such as women in traditional clothing standing with mountain bikes.

In celebration of their 150 year anniversary, The Courier in conjunction with BIFB will present The Courier: 150 Years Of Telling Ballarat’s Story, highlighting local photojournalists and the events which shaped Ballarat’s history.

The 2017 program also incorporates guided workshops, talks, portfolio reviews and the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize, as well as over 90 fringe exhibitions presented at more than 70 venues across Balart.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale will take place over 30 days from August 19, to September 17, 2017. More information and tickets can be found here.

Without Title Maziar Moradi, Courtesy of TS Publicity

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.