From May 19th and for two months, the city of Barcelona hosts the annual edition of the DOCfield photojournalism festival.
This collective initiative, led by the Photographic Social Vision Foundation, has been held in Barcelona for several years now, with a strong focus on documentary photography and photojournalism.
DOCfield is a must for anyone interested in photography, photojournalism, visual culture, critical perspectives, and, ultimately, art in all its forms.
At DOCfield, you’ll have the chance to experience the work of over 100 artists and visit 30 different exhibitions spread across various venues throughout Barcelona.
This year’s theme is EUROPE: Lost in Translation
The artistic direction has chosen to address a topic that’s very much in the spotlight—exactly what you’d expect from a festival dedicated to photojournalism.
It’s time to reflect on ourselves, on the Europe we inhabit today, on the markers of our identity, what defines us, and what we envision for the future. All of this while questioning the ideological core of the old continent, marked by its geographic, cultural, and socio-political boundaries.
This year’s main focus is on the identity and values of our society, with the aim of showcasing new content and emerging voices, both from Spain and internationally, who are fluent in the language of editorial storytelling.
The message is clear and powerful: to open a dialogue that highlights the Europe we live in—a Europe in turmoil, a Europe burdened with refugees, a Europe unable to respond to the pleas of the most vulnerable, unable to fulfill the dreams of those knocking at its door or those who should be opening it, a Europe rife with financial scandals, the resurgence of nationalist ideologies, and, ultimately, a Europe defined by profound inequality.
The curator and artistic director is Natasha Christia, an independent curator, writer, and educator currently based in Barcelona.
Since 2005, she has taught photography at various institutions in Spain and abroad. She regularly contributes critical essays to international publications such as 1000 Words and Aperture Photobook Review, and has also written for books by authors like Reginee Petersen.
Her curatorial projects include Refotografiar Barcelona with Mark Klett (Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona, 2012, co-curated with Ricard Martínez), Mark Klett: Time Studies (Galería Tagomago, 2012), Apropiaciones de Barcelona: Archivos y colecciones de Jordi Barón Santiago Garcés y Santos Montes (DOCfield>14), and Self (Galería H2o, 2014).
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the exhibitions you’ll be able to see over these two months.
“M” by Misha Pedan
M for Metro, M for Misha—a poetic chronicle set in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
All the images were taken clandestinely in the Kharkiv Metro during the author’s daily commutes between 1985 and 1986. The 45-minute journey became an opportunity to capture the lives of the people who relied on the metro for their daily travels.
The Castle by Federico Clavarino
Beyond the grouping of countries or geographic areas, Europe can be understood as an idea. Through this exhibition, the artist seeks to trace the marks that ideas leave on objects and people across Europe—on city walls, in the streets, in people’s clothing, the remnants of these ideas are visible everywhere. The exhibition explores, in depth, how these ideas are defined and used to delineate and defend territories.
For the full festival program and all the information you need, visit the DOCfield website at docfieldbarcelona.org
You won’t regret it.