Urbanautica is an independent publisher working on photography, visual anthropology and leteracy. Urbanautica welcomes cooperation and creates partnerships & networks in order to make an impact that is real and enmpowering cultural landscapes and studies. Since 2009, Urbanautica collaborates around the world with museums and cultural institutions on exhibitions and educational activities. Urbanautica is recognized for its critical and reflective approach to photography, emphasizing the medium's power to document, interpret, and question the world around us.
It was founded by Steve Bisson, well-known curator, educator and Chair of Photography at Paris College of Art, in 2009 and has since become an influential space for photographers, artists, and scholars to share their work, ideas, and research. He is the founder of Urbanautica Institute, where he plays a key role in directing the institute's activities, curating exhibitions, and leading research initiatives. Bisson focuses on exploring the intersections of art, urbanism, and social issues, using visual narratives to examine the complexities of modern cities and societies. Through Urbanautica, he fosters dialogue on ecological, cultural, and social challenges in urban environments.
----------------------------------
We're in business!
Urbanautica is poised to enhance its impact and visibility in the art and photography community through a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes empowerment, education, and engagement. As the organization looks towards the future, it will continue to play a crucial role in empowering artist communities by providing a platform that showcases diverse voices and fosters artistic growth. By reinforcing its educational activities through both formal partnerships with institutions and informal collaborations within the artist community, Urbanautica will broaden its reach and deepen its educational impact.
Don't hesitate to reach out at info@urbanautica.com
----------------------------------
Online Magazine
Urbanautica has established itself as a significant voice in contemporary visual culture with over 500 editorials that delve into a wide array of topics within photography and visual art. These editorials explore diverse themes, ranging from in-depth critiques of individual photographic works and exhibitions to broader discussions on emerging trends and technological advancements in the field. They feature detailed analyses of artistic practices, profiles of influential artists, and reflections on the intersections of art with societal and environmental issues. Each editorial is crafted to provide insightful commentary and foster a deeper understanding of the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of visual arts, making Urbanautica a crucial resource for art enthusiasts, scholars, and practitioners alike.
Urbanautica features articles, interviews, and photo essays that delve into various aspects of photography, particularly how it intersects with urbanism, anthropology, sociology, and the environment. Urbanautica is offering a variety of editorial activities. It features interviews and reviews with photographers, curators, and artists, discussing their work and perspectives on contemporary issues. The journal also showcases portfolio entries that highlight thematic photographic projects, often linked to environmental and cultural topics. Additionally, Urbanautica publishes research articles that delve into the intersections of culture, society, and visual representation, contributing to academic and professional discussions in the field.
----------------------------------
Podcast
The "Urbanaut Podcast" is an initiative by Urbanautica that delves into the world of image culture, and reflects the multifaceted world of photography and visual art. It explores various aspects of these fields, including artistic practices, critical theory, and the impact of visual culture on society. The podcast produced by talented Patrick Lee Hubbard features discussions with experts who offer deep insights. These guests bring diverse perspectives, enriching the conversation around contemporary visual culture. Key outcomes:
- The Urbanaut Podcast is a well-regarded platform with a growing audience of 465 subscribers. The podcast features a rich collection of 40 episodes, 185 short videos, collectively amassing over 55,548 views. Through its engaging content, the Urbanaut Podcast explores contemporary photography and visual culture, offering insightful interviews with artists, curators, and critics. With its extensive video library and dedicated viewership, the podcast has established itself as a valuable resource for those interested in the evolving landscape of visual art.
- The Urbanaut Podcast offers a rich tapestry of content focused on contemporary photography and visual art. It features engaging interviews with photographers, visual artists, and other creatives, who provide valuable insights into their work, processes, and artistic philosophies. Additionally, the podcast includes conversations with curators, art critics, and scholars, offering a broader understanding of current trends, exhibitions, and critical issues in the art world. Each episode often delves into specific themes or topics related to photography and visual art, and makes the Urbanaut Podcast a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of visual culture.
- The podcast is available on various platforms, including YouTube, where episodes can be streamed or downloaded. The podcast is designed for anyone interested in contemporary photography, art, and visual culture, including art enthusiasts, students, and professionals in the field. To get specific details about episodes and guests, you can visit the YouTube channel or Spotify, or other podcast platforms where the show is available.
Check out the full list of episodes from here.
----------------------------------
Open Calls
The open calls on Urbanautica aim to engage photographers, artists, and researchers in global conversations about visual culture, anthropology, and environmental issues. These calls provide opportunities for participants to showcase their work, contribute to thematic exhibitions, and collaborate on publications. The goal is to foster a diverse and dynamic community that explores and reflects on contemporary cultural landscapes through photography and visual storytelling.
Case study 1: Urbanautica Institute's inaugural thematic research call, titled
"Extinction. The World Without Us," addresses a critical and urgent issue: the impact of technological progress on our environment and humanity. The open call highlights how advancements in fields such as nuclear energy, genetic manipulation, and plastic production, while showcasing our inventive prowess, have led to severe and potentially irreversible damage to human health and the natural world. This includes species extinction and climate change.
The project has gathered numerous submissions, with seventy projects published online and thirty selected for inclusion in a catalog. This catalog, available both digitally and as a print-on-demand book, serves as a crucial resource for understanding the multifaceted threats of extinction and our role in nature.
Conducted in 2019, the research anticipates the significance of this call is underscored by recent global events, including the devastating Australian fires and the Coronavirus pandemic, which have amplified the urgency of addressing these issues. The catalog's opening quote from philosopher Günther Anders reflects on humanity’s failure to adequately address the consequences of its actions, challenging the optimistic vision of progress and highlighting the need for a return to a more harmonious relationship with nature. The project calls for a reassessment of our individualistic mindset and urges a collective focus on the well-being of both humanity and the environment.
Case study 2: The Urbanautica Annual Awards hold significant value in recognizing and celebrating the profound role of photography in shaping our perception of the world. The 2021 awards catalog edition emphasizes that photography does more than just capture images; it structures and deepens the connection between our bodies and our environment. By extending our sensory experience, cameras help us engage with the visible world through both rational and emotional lenses.
This perspective aligns with Maurice Merleau-Ponty's ideas on phenomenology, which highlight the body’s role in sustaining our interaction with the world. The awards acknowledge how contemporary photography intersects with modern theories of perception, media, and society, reflecting on how images influence our understanding of reality.
Moreover, the awards encourage an exploration of symbolic thinking and unconscious elements that photography can reveal, pointing to an ethics of the gaze and a critical approach to technology. Overall, the Urbanautica Annual Awards are crucial in promoting a deeper and more thoughtful engagement with the evolving role of images in our society.
----------------------------------
Publications
Urbanautica's books focus on visual anthropology, photography, and cultural landscapes. They publish works that explore contemporary social issues through visual storytelling. Their publications include monographs, thematic collections, and catalogs from various projects, such as "Blurring the Lines" and the Urbanautica Institute Awards. These works aim to document and critically engage with the changing landscapes of culture and society, often highlighting emerging photographers and unique perspectives on global issues. The books published by Urbanautica Institute focus on visual anthropology, photography, and cultural narratives. These publications often explore themes related to the environment, identity, and societal change, featuring works from emerging and established photographers. Notable titles include catalogs from the "Blurring the Lines" series, the Urbanautica Institute Awards, and thematic books like "Extinction" and "Asolo Sine Qua Non." These works aim to document and critically engage with contemporary issues through powerful visual storytelling.
----------------------------------
Exhibitions
Urbanautica plays a crucial role in organizing and curating exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, urbanism, and social issues. The institute emphasizes participatory processes in artistic practice, encouraging artists to engage deeply with urban environments. Through its exhibitions, Urbanautica aims to provoke critical reflections on public spaces, housing dynamics, and the socio-cultural fabric of cities. By bringing together diverse artistic perspectives, the institute fosters a richer understanding of urban life and promotes alternative ways of thinking about and interacting with the city. These exhibitions underscored Urbanautica's commitment to engaging with pressing global issues through the lens of photography and visual storytelling.
The "Naturae" project by Urbanautica Institute is a curated initiative focused on exploring and interpreting the relationship between humans and nature through photography. Naturae investigates how contemporary photography can capture and reflect the complexity of human interactions with the natural world. The project examines various aspects of this relationship, including: how human activities influence and alter natural landscapes, the new forms of naturalness or the ways in which contemporary life creates new, hybrid forms of nature that blend natural elements with human-made influences. It also points at the experience of space and how different representations of nature affect our perception and emotional response to landscapes. Keys results:
- Both exhibitions in 2010 and 2013 delved into how representation through photography influences our experience of and emotional responses to landscapes.
- The Naturae project by Urbanautica Institute has featured several distinguished artists in its exhibitions. Here’s a list of some of the notable participants: Alejandro Cartagena, Anne Lass, Karin Borghouts, Dustin Shum, Mustafah Abdulaziz, Geoffroy Mathieu and Ryan Debolski.
- The Naturae exhibitions by Urbanautica Institute have been hosted at several prominent venues such as Savignano Immagini Festival, Benetton Foundation in Italy and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina: Situated in Novi Sad, Serbia.
- The exhibitions provided new insights into the evolving relationship between humanity and nature while challenging ordinary views, perspectives and interpretations of landscapes.
- Overall, the Naturae project serves as a platform for exploring and discussing the multifaceted interactions between humans and their environment, emphasizing contemporary artistic approaches to these themes. Beyond the artists selected, Naturae features hundreds of works in the online dedicated platform.
----------------------------------
Cultural Studies
Urbanautica plays a pivotal role in cultural studies by integrating ethnography and visual anthropology to explore urban life and culture. The institute emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in research, ensuring that their voices and experiences are central to the narrative. Through participatory processes, Urbanautica encourages collaboration between artists, researchers, and residents, fostering a deeper understanding of how urban spaces impact cultural identities. This approach not only enriches cultural studies but also empowers artists, allowing them to actively contribute to the representation and analysis of their environments.
Case study 1: The "Save Asolo" initiative by Urbanautica was an art community-based residency program held in the village of Asolo, Italy. This program was a collaborative effort aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Asolo through the medium of photography and visual storytelling. The "Save Asolo" project exemplifies Urbanautica's broader mission of using visual anthropology and photography to explore and conserve cultural landscapes. Key Elements of the Collaboration:
- Art Residency Program: The program brought together a group of artists, photographers, and cultural practitioners who spent time in Asolo to create works inspired by the village's unique cultural landscape. The residency focused on exploring and documenting the rich history, architecture, and natural beauty of the area.
- Publication of "Asolo Sine Qua Non": The outcomes of this residency were compiled into a book titled "Asolo Sine Qua Non," which served as both an artistic record and a cultural artifact. This publication highlighted the collective journey of the participants and their creative interpretations of Asolo’s environment.
- Community Engagement: The initiative was not just about artistic creation but also about engaging with the local community. It aimed to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Asolo’s cultural heritage and to foster a deeper connection between the residents and their environment.
- Cultural Preservation: By focusing on Asolo, Urbanautica helped draw attention to the challenges faced by small historical communities in the face of modernization and urbanization. The project emphasized the need to preserve such locales as vital cultural and historical sites.
Case study 2: Urbanautica Institute has led a long-term investigation in São Paulo to explore the role of public spaces. This initiative, called "Decrescimento", developed within the FAAP (Armando Álvares Penteado Foundation) residency program, began in 2013 with a group of selected artists. The project was first exhibited in 2017 at Galeria Virgilio. Goals and achievements:
- Through this approach, Urbanautica Institute emphasizes the importance of participatory processes in artistic practice. It also highlights the need for public awareness of urban policies and how cities are used. Bringing together Brazilian and international artists, each with their unique perspectives, has resulted in a rich plurality of viewpoints and interpretations. This collective insight should not be archived but should form the basis of a new public library that offers citizens alternative ways to think, read, and imagine the city.
- Questioning the role of the artist in today's society. Can art produce meaningful interpretations of social relevance and contribute to our understanding of today’s complex reality? As Brazilian artist Vera Chaves Barcellos aptly stated, "The Necessity of Art" lies not in going through open doors, but in opening closed ones. With this idea in mind, participants began developing projects aimed at understanding the dynamics of housing and public spaces in their neighborhoods. Rather than simply analyzing, they were invited to interact with the urban environment and project new visions.
- The artworks resulting from this research, spanning four years, were exhibited at Galeria Virgilio in São Paulo. Curated by Steve Bisson, the exhibition presents a diverse array of materials, including photographs, videos, and installations. These works, all linked by the theme of public space, offer fragmented and detailed insights into the city. They form a sensory map, reflecting each participant’s dialogue with the environment—be it Praça Roosevelt, where skaters gather, the tranquil park of Água Branca, an abandoned social housing district, or the Anhangabaú valley, now a refuge for the homeless. These observations reveal explicit and latent needs, presenting a multifaceted identity of the city. Art’s role here is not to provide answers but to provoke questions, encouraging us to see and interpret the world differently.
----------------------------------
Educatonial
The platform engages in educational activities, including lectures, workshops, and collaborations with academic institutions to foster a deeper understanding of the role of photography in society.
Urbanautica's collaboration with the
Blurring the Lines program is a multifaceted partnership that focuses on bridging the gap between academic institutions and the broader photography community. This collaboration is integral to promoting emerging photographic talents and fostering dialogue on contemporary photographic practices.
Urbanautica's collaboration with Blurring the Lines is a significant effort to nurture the next generation of photographers while contributing to the academic and professional discourse surrounding contemporary photography.
Key Aspects of the Collaboration:
- Annual Publication: Urbanautica has been involved in publishing the annual "Blurring the Lines" catalog since 2018. This catalog is a curated collection of graduate works from photography students worldwide. It aims to highlight innovative approaches and fresh perspectives in visual storytelling.
- Educational Conferences and Workshops: Urbanautica contributes to the Blurring the Lines international conference on education and photography. These events provide a platform for discussing the evolving role of photography in education, exploring new pedagogical methods, and fostering collaboration between students, educators, and professionals in the field.
- Promotion of Young Talents: Through this program, and partnership with Dutch foundation FOTODOK, Urbanautica plays a crucial role in identifying and supporting young photographers. The partnership helps in boosting intra-academic dialogue and creating opportunities for graduates to showcase their work on an international stage.
- Intra-Academic Dialogue: The program fosters connections between different educational institutions, enabling a cross-pollination of ideas and practices in photography education. Urbanautica’s involvement ensures that the dialogue remains vibrant and relevant to current trends and challenges in the field.
----------------------------------
Empowering
Urbanautica showcases its exceptional ability to engage with a diverse range of distinguished photographers, visual artists, and emerging talents through its podcast series, interviews, exhibitions, reviews and publications. Each content provides a deep dive into the unique perspectives and creative practices of its guests, illustrating Urbanautica’s commitment to exploring a wide spectrum of themes and visual narratives.
Urbanautica plays a pivotal educational role by engaging notable photographers and experts, each contributing unique insights into the visual and art practices. Stacy Kranitz’s documentary work on the Appalachian region offers profound reflections on community and identity, while David Chancellor’s exploration of man’s relationship with nature through hunting and conservation in Africa provides a critical perspective on environmental issues. Alejandro Cartagena brings attention to urban development and social dynamics through his poignant visual narratives from Mexico. Meanwhile, David Campany, a distinguished British photographer, curator, and writer, enriches the dialogue with his extensive knowledge of photographic history, theory, and practice. Through these engagements, Urbanautica not only showcases the breadth of contemporary photographic practices but also fosters a deeper understanding of the medium’s impact and evolution.
Urbanautica’s editorials highlight an impressive array of topics and a diverse range of authorships in the visual arts. From Alnis Stakle’s exploration of historical echoes through photography to Robert Darch’s engaging visual narratives, the series delves into various facets of the photographic world. Marisol Mendez discusses the interplay of identity and tradition in her project "MADRE," while Mustafah Abdulaziz addresses global concerns about waterways and climate change. Jessica Auer examines the nuanced effects of tourism through her lens. This breadth of subjects and perspectives showcases Urbanautica's commitment to presenting a wide spectrum of visual storytelling and artistic exploration.
From Dominika Jackuliakova’s exploration of art and identity in Slovakia to Patricia Rodas’s insights into Finnish landscapes, the series highlights how photography can illuminate various cultural, environmental, and personal stories. The podcasts feature prominent voices like Barbara Mensch, who reflects on the evolving urban landscape of New York, and Nicola Moscelli, who delves into the US-Mexico border experience. The series also introduces new and innovative perspectives, such as Caleb Stein's work with AI and Shahrzad Darafsheh's exploration of resilience and health. Through these dialogues, Urbanautica demonstrates its ability to connect with and amplify a wide array of voices in the visual arts, offering listeners a rich and multifaceted complexity of contemporary photography and its perspective on the world.
Urbanautica’s podcast series illustrates the dynamic evolution of photographic and visual language through the work of its featured artists. Cristian Ordóñez captures the shifting perspectives from Santiago to Toronto, revealing how personal and cultural transitions influence visual storytelling. Sasha Rudensky’s exploration of Soviet and post-Soviet identity unveils the layers of historical and cultural complexity in her images. Tim Carpenter's work redefines perception, reshaping how we view and interpret the world through photography. Isidro Ramirez challenges conventional ideas of urbanism and space, prompting a rethinking of how we engage with our environments. Meanwhile, Tomasz Kawecki delves into the interplay of nature and nostalgia in Poland, and Noritaka Minami’s observations of urban transformations in Tokyo, Saigon, and California City highlight the continuous change in global landscapes. Together, these artists exemplify the evolving nature of photographic language and its capacity to reflect and shape our relationship with the planet.
----------------------------------
Editors & Staff
Founding Editor
Steve Bisson
Executive Producer
Patrick Lee Hubbard
Contributor Editor
Maria Elisa Dainelli
Web Designer
Marcello Balbo
----------------------------------
Portfolio Review
Enjoy our NEW online live video call to respond to your questions and provide thoughtful advice/directions. Book online your private review session with our expert chief editor Steve Bisson.
----------------------------------
Mentorship
MentorshipThe Mentorship Program is an enriching and growing experience for students, emerging and established photographers, visual artists, passionate about photography and image-making. Urbanautica Institute enhances lifelong learning and aims -by working with you one-on-one- to set the foundation for new projects (series, books, exhibitions) and to champion an impact that is real. Lining up yourself with your talent and skills. The Mentorship Program is a goal-oriented course that, upon successful completion, will reward you both professionally and personally. The Programme is run by Steve Bisson director of Urbanautica Institute. Feel free to contact us for info and conditions.
----------------------------------
Volunteering Opportunities
Urbanautica is seeking assistance from volunteers. We believe that volunteering offers a valuable chance to photographers, educators, and writers to make and grow their own experience. To find out more please write to info[at]urbanautica[dot]com.
-----------------------------------
Contacts
General information
info[at]urbanautica[dot]com
Press Releases
pr[at]urbanautica[dot]com
Projects
submit[at]urbanautica[dot]com
Books
info[at]urbanauticainstitute[dot]com
Newsletter
To receive occasional updates on the journal and other projects, please subscribe from here.
Social
Facebook
Instagram
-----------------------------------
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Does Urbanautica accept volunteers?
Volunteers are welcome. What we ask is above all the willingness to cooperate in an international editorial team with enthusiasm and commitment.
I sent an email and I have not heard back?
We receive many submissions every day and hundreds of messages per week. Be patient we do our best!
I would like to promote an exhibition?
Please join our Facebook Photo Exhibitions group and share your press release directly. The group is about exhibitions so anything else will be removed. You can send an email to pr[at]urbanautica[dot]com
Can I share content from Urbanautica?
Of course, you can. Just credit us with a link. All photographs presented are the sole property of the contributing artist unless otherwise noted. Please remind that our texts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How can I search for specific content?
You can browse recent features from the menu list. Yet we have built for you a powerful search engine too! Just click on the lens icon and do your research. You can add filters to your research such as nations, type of contents and photographic category. For example, if you are looking for interviews with Belgian artists you can select Belgium with the 'nation' filter and 'interview' with the 'type' filter.
I would like you to consider my graduation thesis for your archive?
Please send to submit[at]urbanautica[dot]com the abstract in English of your thesis with a cover image (.jpg). Don't forget to mention the name of your University and the title of your Degree.
-----------------------------------
Acknowledgments
THIS WEBSITE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY:Andrea Alessio, Gianpaolo Arena, Barbara Beltramello, William M. Bisson, Andrea Buzzichelli, Marina Caneve, Maurizio Callegarin, Benoit Chailleux, Daniele Cinciripini, Dave Jordano, Diego Fabro, Andrea Filippin, Enrico Fioraso, Paola Fiorini, Dana Fritz, Paolo Fusco, Gianfranco Gallucci, Gianluca Gamberini, Edoardo Hahn, Joao Henriques, Dave Jordano, Mitch Karunaratne, Petros Koublis, Vincenzo Labellarte, Matthieu Litt, Anais Lopez, Blazej Marczak, Juan Margolles, Nicola Mazzuia, Francesco Merlini, Pietro Millenotti, Luca Moretti, Novella Oliana, Gaetano Paraggio, Stefano Parrini, Iacopo Pasqui, Giuseppe Pazzaglia, Corrado Piccoli, Ludovico Poggioli, Giovanni Presutti, Massimiliano Pugliese, Marco Ristuccia, Heidi Romano, Luca Rossetto, Chris Round, Evgeniy Sagataev, Omar Sartor, Fabrizio Saiu, Stand Quarterly, Fabrizio Vatieri, Louis Vorster, Yaniv Waissa, Eva Wollenberg, Denise Wyllie, Marco Maria Zanin.<
Special thanks to Georg Zinsler for his generous support.
PAST EMERITUS AND GUEST EDITORS: Gianpaolo Arena, Eline Benjaminsen, Lisa Boughter, Sylvie De Weze, Tiago Dias Dos Santos, Andrea Filippin, Sebastiaan Franco, Gary Green, Veronica Gonzales, Irith Guby, Peter Holliday, Gregory E. Jones, Sanne Kabalt, Daniel Kariko, Karl Ketamo, Nicolette Klerk, Niki Leck, Laura Lee Bral, David Marlé, Eleonora Milner, Gaia Musacchio, Francesca Orsi, Martin Petersen, Lucia Pedrana, David Pollock, Barbel Praun, Natalya Reznik, Thieu Riemen, Marco Ristuccia, Dawn Roe, Renata Scovino, Polina Shubkina, Talia Smith, Sylvia Souffriau, Laura Van Severen, Krzystof Sienkiewicz, Gaia Vettori, Nathalie Vissers, Sheung Yiu, Peter Waterschoot, Rachel Wolfe, Jeffrey Wolin.