The 2024 WOPHA Congress, themed How Photography Teaches Us to Live Now, is set to take place from October 23-26, 2024, across multiple locations in South Florida, including the prestigious Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Organized by the Women Photographers International Archive (WOPHA) in collaboration with PAMM, this highly anticipated event will bring together renowned photographers, scholars, and artists from around the world to explore the evolving role of photography in contemporary society.
The Congress, which celebrates the contributions of women and non-binary photographers, aims to challenge traditional approaches to photography education. Keynote speaker April Wiser, Founder and CEO of Foto Femme United, will discuss how international photography education programs are shaping the skills and career opportunities of photographers across different markets. Wiser's presentation will delve into the impact of these programs on both technical expertise and business acumen.
Other notable speakers include Aldeide Delgado, founder of WOPHA; Andrea Jösch Krotki from Chile; Susan Meiselas, President of the Magnum Foundation; Salvadoran-American photographer Muriel Hasbun; Spanish visual artist Rosell Meseguer; Cuban-American artist María Martínez Cañas; Venezuelan-American curator José Antonio Navarrete; and Venezuelan-American art historian Tatiana Flores.
Aldeide Delgado, the visionary behind the Congress, was interviewed by ARTISHOCK REVISTA and emphasized the urgent need for more academic programs dedicated to the history of women in photography. Despite the growing number of female students globally, women's contributions to the art form remain underrepresented in academic curricula. Delgado views the Congress as a catalyst for change, sparking crucial discussions on gender, photography, and pedagogy, and laying the groundwork for an educational hub focused on photographic practices and criticism.
The Congress's theme draws inspiration from Carmen Winant's 2021 book, Instructional Photography: Learning How to Live Now, which redefines photography as more than a medium for documentation. Winant introduced the concept of "instructional photographs"-images that serve as guides or manuals for living, rather than just snapshots of moments in time. This theme underscores the Congress's broader mission of using photography as a tool for education and personal growth.
In addition to its academic focus, the 2024 WOPHA Congress seeks to broaden its reach beyond traditional art spaces by engaging diverse audiences who interact with photography in everyday life. Co-organizers Francisco Maso and WOPHA Associate Curator Amanda Bradley have curated a program that spotlights artists from Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas, highlighting South Florida's role as a cultural crossroads between the Americas.
A standout panel, Caribbean Photography History, will examine the Caribbean not only as a geographic region but as a critical lens for understanding the history of photography. Speakers such as José A. Navarrete, Emilie Boone, Roshini Kempadoo, and Tatiana Flores will address the complex intersections of identity, colonialism, and visual representation in Caribbean photography.
The Congress will also feature a curated exhibition titled In Between Sentiments, showcasing emerging artists Nicole Combeau and Sue Montoya at Miami International Airport. Curated by Amanda Bradley, the exhibition will explore themes of identity, memory, migration, and place-central to the experiences of both artists.
The four-day event will include masterclasses, workshops, photo walks, portfolio reviews, and panel discussions led by some of the most prominent voices in the field. Virtual sessions will ensure that the Congress is accessible to a global audience.
With a focus on redefining photography education, the 2024 WOPHA Congress promises to position South Florida as a dynamic hub for contemporary photography, reflecting the region's vibrant cultural diversity and its significance as a meeting point between the Americas. Through its innovative programming, the Congress aims to inspire new ways of thinking about photography as an art form, an educational tool, and a force for social change.