TURIN.- The Phair | Photo Art Fair, the international photography fair, is set to open its sixth edition in Turin, running from Friday, May 9 to Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the OGR Torino. The event will feature 50 galleries and introduce a new Talks Program focused on photography collecting.
Held at OGR Torino, a prominent cultural and innovation hub, the fair aims to provide visitors with an immersive experience, showcasing works by both established and emerging artists from international art and photography galleries. This year's edition is particularly highlighted by the launch of the Talks Program – The Phair, a series of discussions designed to explore collecting from private, corporate, and institutional viewpoints through informal conversations with industry professionals.
Roberto Casiraghi, the fair's director, commented on The Phair's mission, stating that since 2019, it has aimed to offer diverse audiences a comprehensive overview, beyond just the commercial aspect, of what is happening in the art world with a specific focus on the use of the image. He noted the fair's growth in hosting galleries from various European countries and increasing the quality and quantity of participants in its talks to offer authoritative perspectives beyond the market. Casiraghi emphasized that the fair's growing prestige in a crowded field encourages its continued evolution, aiming to provide a clear horizon and reinforce Turin's position as an international capital of photography.
In an effort to promote national photographic heritage and strengthen ties with Turin's museums, The Phair has partnered with GAM – Galleria Civica di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. The guiding image for this edition is Torino, giostra Zeppelin in movimento (1934) by Mario Gabinio, from the Photographic Archive of the Civic Museums. By featuring this archival work, which will be shown in original at The Phair, the fair seeks to raise awareness about the importance of historical archives and promote the valorization and accessibility of national photographic heritage. Gabinio's work, characterized by its systematic investigation of form and light, highlights photography's potential for artistic experimentation beyond simple documentation.
The new Talks Program will run throughout the fair, offering in-depth discussions on collecting with collectors, art advisors, and museum and foundation directors. Topics include "Truth in Photography" with Joan Fontcuberta and Denis Curti, "The role of Italian photography in the wider, global context" featuring several Italian and international experts, "A conversation between an artist and a collector" with Olivo Barbieri and Antonio Carloni, and "Building a Legacy Collection." Saturday's talks will cover "Building and Supporting a Museum Collection" with museum curators and foundation representatives, "Corporate Photography Collections" comparing Italian and international approaches, and "Art Photography and the Commercial Market" discussing market dynamics and the tension between truth and construction in photography. Sunday's program includes "Curating a Photography Collection, Prizes and Commissions" and "Private Collections," offering personal insights into the world of private collecting. Book presentations for Anna and Giorgio Fasol. A Life as Collectors, Città Foresta umana. L’empatia ci aiuta a progettare, and Vita da collezionista. Come creare l’equilibrio tra arte, piacere e investimenti will also take place.
The 50 participating contemporary art and photography galleries, selected from Italy, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Switzerland, will present projects centered on the idea of the image. Examples include Alberto Damian Gallery showcasing a dialogue between Lori Sammartino and Marialba Russo, A.MORE Gallery presenting works by Aldo Salucci and Gianni Melotti, Erica Ravenna gallery uniting four artists exploring nature through innovative photography, and Galerie P focusing on staged photography with "Un’altra realtà / Another Reality." Jaeger Art will feature international artists like Gregor Törzs and Bastiaan Woudt, Kuckei + Kuckei will present artists exploring photographic language with novel approaches, MC2 Gallery's "Fake Reality" will dialogue between post-photographic practices, Persons Projects will dedicate its space to the conceptual photography of the Helsinki School, Tallulah Studio Art will explore reality and perception through four international artists, and Tucci Russo - Studio per l’Arte Contemporanea will exhibit works from Jan Vercruysse's Camera Oscura series.
Alongside the gallery presentations, The Phair, in collaboration with artist Eva Frapiccini, will launch a special "Young Artists Focus" project dedicated to identifying and promoting 10 significant emerging artists under 40, exploring innovative languages in contemporary art.
The fair will also feature several awards and residencies, supported by collaborations with various partners. The Fondazione per l’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea CRT will acquire a work from the fair for its collection, destined for the Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea. An award in collaboration with Just The Woman I Am will select works addressing themes of well-being, health, and gender equality, with the winning work being acquired and a donation made to support cancer research. The first Mario Cucinella Architects Artist Residency will offer a two-week residency in Bologna focused on the dialogue between art, architecture, and sustainability. Additionally, the "Scisti e Vinisti" Artist Residency, promoted by CON Red Lab, will offer a residency in Salento focusing on the landscape, community, and traditions, culminating in a photographic project presented in 2026.
