Photoforum is excited to welcome back our long-time partner, the Biel/Bienne Photography Festival, to our esteemed spaces at Pasquart. This year’s festival theme, “Common Places,” explores the essence of shared realities and the connections that bind us.

In our special exhibition titled “Stammtisch” by Collectif Le Salon & guests, we engage directly with the festival’s theme by presenting a new body of work by the collective that delves into the complex symbolism of traditional communal space.

Find out more about the events of the Biel/Bienne Photography Festival,here..

Festival Theme

In an era dominated by the transient and often overwhelming nature of digital imagery, where screens dictate and fragment our perception, the 27th edition of the Biel/Bienne Festival of Photography stands as a beacon of introspection and subtlety. This year, we delve into the banal and the familiar, challenging the onslaught of sensationalist imagery with a celebration of the mundane as an act of resistance.

The festival highlights a new generation of emerging photographers who masterfully illuminate subtle phenomena that shape and transform our everyday environments. These phenomena, often overshadowed by the incessant demands on our attention, invite us to reconsider what we might otherwise overlook.

By focusing on the commonplace, they encourage a deeper observation of what may seem ordinary yet is rich with significance. The exhibited photographs promote a contemplative approach to reality, allowing us to question and reframe our perceptions. Contrasting with the immediacy of “loud” images, this year’s photos are crafted to unfold slowly, each frame a delicate and poetic revelation of a world in continuous flux.

As we navigate a society increasingly oriented around digital interactions, the festival aims to redirect our gaze, encouraging a renewed focus on the world around us. Let us embrace the quiet moments and listen closely to the subtle transformations that whisper truths about our shared human experience.

We invite you to join us and Photography Festival Biel/Bienne at Pasquart to experience this unique exploration of “Common Places” – a journey through the art of seeing beyond the obvious.