Les Rencontres d’Arles features photography exhibitions on identity and nature

The Les Rencontres d’Arles photography festival, running through October 4, 2026, features several notable exhibitions exploring themes of identity and boundaries.

One major exhibition, ‘Ghana! Rêver l’indépendance, 1957–1976’, examines the period following Ghana’s independence from British rule. Through archives and contemporary works by photographers such as James Barnor, Felicia Abbanou, and Willis E. Bell, the display illustrates the nation’s political emancipation and cultural construction. The 2026 festival poster, designed by Carlos Idun-Tawiah, reflects this historical focus.

Another featured exhibition, ‘Modèle animal. 200 ans de photographie’, curated by Nathalie Herschdorfer, traces two centuries of animal-related imagery. The collection ranges from historical zoo photography, such as an 1850 image of an Egyptian hippopotamus, to modern works. This includes Jim Naughten’s AI-assisted recreations of encyclopedic illustrations and James Mollison’s large-format passport-style portraits of endangered primates, which highlight the individuality of various species.