We live in troubled times. The center is breaking apart. What remains is: Either. Or. Things have gotten alarmingly out of hand. Not only in the world in general, but also in our own personal environment. We long for a stable center, but the forces of life are pulling us in all sorts of directions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes ruptures can also offer a welcome opportunity for renewal, as long as things can be put back together again afterwards – preferably in a more meaningful, new and better way. Making the world whole again. Such a process is usually referred to as synthesis. At least that is the term that seems most appropriate for our considerations.

We understand synthesis as a process in which something is improved by combining several elements. The resulting whole is greater than its individual parts – not because the individual parts are not or not equally important, but because they fundamentally are. However, achieving this is a constant balancing act between all the different interests, forces and components.

In this respect, we can also see a photo festival as the result of many hands and minds working together. It is something that arises from different ideas and through joint implementation. Above all, however, a festival is the coming together of many photographic positions. And it creates space for a lively exchange.

From the very beginning, the Lenzburg Fotofestival has seen itself as a kind of laboratory for possible syntheses in terms of content and form, positions and practices, expertise and publics. Under the title we have now chosen, SYNTHESIS, we are pleased to invite you all to think with us about possible themes and images for the next edition of the Lenzburg Fotofestival. We look forward to your contributions and your participation .

Curator Daniel Blochwitz

The Fotofestival is happy to share its value with institutional, technical and cultural partners. We appreciate your interest in collaboration or support. Please send an email to info@fotofestivallenzburg.ch and we will get in touch with you. Thank you!