Circulate - Photography Beyond Frames exhibition

Circulate - Photography Beyond Frames exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

With the ability to take, store, and share thousands of high-quality images at our fingertips, technology has dramatically changed our relationship with photography. Photography has transformed from a specialised profession or hobby to become an intrinsic part of our daily lives. Digital cameras, smartphones and the rise of social networking sites such as Instagram have made photography more accessible and more popular than ever before.

This seismic technological shift has also had a major impact on the art of photography and how artists approach the medium. As photography has evolved, contemporary artists have also changed the way they create and display photographic works. The evolution of photography has led to an explosion of innovation and creativity.

The intrinsic nature of the medium of photography is being challenged. A photograph is not just simply a display of technical prowess. Even the distinction of what actually constitutes a photograph is becoming irrelevant. What is important is the depth of meaning that lies behind the artwork. To fully appreciate contemporary photography, we must transcend our previous understanding of the art form and go beyond the frame.

This concept has inspired the curators of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam to launch the Circulate - Photography Beyond Frames exhibition. The Circulate exhibition features the works of 21 new and established artists who are exploring the possibilities and pushing the boundaries of contemporary photography.

Transforming our relationship with photographic art

21 artists have their works on display in Circulate - Photography Beyond Frames. Many of the works displayed were created specifically for this exhibition and are being shown to the public for the first time. The works comprise mediums such as photo paper, stone, fabric, digitised images, moving images, sculpture, and three-dimensional installations.

As the exhibition progresses, a panel of expert judges will assess the works. Before the end of the exhibition, the curators and judges will announce which works will be acquired by the museum and featured in its permanent collection. 

The artists participating in the exhibition are:

• Aimée Zito Lema
• Ana María Gómez López
• Anika Schwarzlose in collaboration with Elena Khurtova and Brian D. McKenna
• Bruno Zhu
• Gilleam Trapenberg
• Hira Nabi
• Ima-Abasi Okon
• Jaya Pelupessy
• Katarina Jazbec
• Katja Mater
• Katja Novitskova
• Kévin Bray
• Kevin Osep
• Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-nti
• Mandy Franca
• Neo Matloga
• Paoletta Holst
• Robert Glas
• Semâ Bekirović
• Sharelly Emanuelson
• Vytautas Kumža

The Circulate - Photography Beyond Frames exhibition is part of the series Proposals for the Museum Collection, a biannual event supported by the City of Amsterdam.