Goa Photo Festival, 2015

Nikhil Padgaonkar

From the 25th of February till the 7th of March, the residents of Panaji are in for a treat. For during this time, the city itself will become a platform for exhibiting some of the country’s and the world’s most innovative contemporary photography. This is happening courtesy of Goa Photo (www.goaphoto.in), which is a new international photography festival that will occur annually in the state capital and surrounding areas, and will significantly contribute to the growing momentum of cultural activities in Goa. The objective of Goa Photo is simple: to bring exceptional documentary and art photography to the people. This idea is taken quite literally. Instead of the usual exhibitions in closed spaces with framed images hanging on the walls, the festival team has decided to set up the exhibitions in the open-air public spaces such as the rear garden of the Kala Academy, the courtyard of the Old GMC, on the rear facade of the Old Secretariat, and in Fontainhas. A portion of the festival will also be held in the upper level of the Reis Magos Fort in Verem. With the images displayed in public spaces,
people will be able to engage the works on display on their own terms, outside of the usual institutional settings and pedantic jargons.