Photography and sustainability

Photography is a medium that is constantly evolving and is characterised by technological and material changes. Thus, the way in which photography is produced, shared, presented, archived and – in the meantime – stored has changed significantly time and again. But how can this mutability be reconciled with the demand for sustainability? In Cologne, the biennial Photoszene festival is committed to this question and focuses on the environmental impact of its exhibition practice and all processes. At the same time, other institutions in Cologne have also begun to ask questions about resource and environmentally friendly exhibiting, collecting, and preserving. Historical photographs, in particular, need to be reconsidered with regard to their long-term storage and contemporary photographs with regard to their production and storage in order to put a stronger focus on resources and sustainability. As part of the two-day event, we will meet experts in connection with the festival and the city. We will explore innovative approaches and best practices: What needs to be considered when producing photographic exhibits for exhibitions and print products? What strategies are already in place to implement long-term and resource-saving collection and exhibition concepts? Together, we will ask the central question: How can photography be produced, curated, and preserved sustainably?