Around 150,000 guests visit one of the world’s most renowned photography festivals every year.
From July 9 to October 5, 2025, the laif exhibition “Tracing the Possible” will be on view as part of the exhibition “Controversy and Paradoxes” at the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Photo House (18 Rue Calade, 13200 Arles).
We invite you to the opening on Wednesday, 09.07.25, from 17:30 and to a get-together together with freelens on Thursday, 10.07.25, 18:00.
The exhibition is dedicated to the pressing issues of our time – in a world in which resistance is being offered on many levels: as a response to destructive forces, as an expression of hope and as a striving for a better future.
It is initiated and curated by laif photographers Paulina Hildesheim, Jeannette Petri, Thomas Pirot and Anna Ziegler.
The show presents works by Sitara Ambrosio, Nora Bibel, Rui Camilo, Daniel Chatard, Jana Islinger, Jeannette Petri and Marzena Skubatz.
Their photographic narratives shed light on the complexity of our globalized present in the area of tension between climate change, territorial conflicts and questions of identity. The exhibition brings together perspectives from different regions of the world – always with a focus on people who, through courage, creativity and solidarity, open up new paths for a communal and meaningful life.
The works on display take a sensitive look at the paradoxical beauty of acceptance in a world that often excludes and divides. They make it clear: Resistance has many faces – from loud protest to quiet perseverance in everyday life.
Supporting program in the week from 7-12 July 2025
- Wednesday, 9.7. from 11 a.m. Guided tour with the laif curators (registration required)
- Wednesday, 9.7. from 17:30 laif Vernissage MRO, Maniel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation
- Thursday, 10.7. from 6 pm Get together with laif x freelens
- Friday, 11.7. 11 a.m. Signing session with laif photographers Sitara Ambrosio, Rui Camilo, Daniel Chatard
- Friday, 11.7. 6 pm Artist talk with Sitara Ambrosio and Daniel Chatard in conversation with Marie Köhler about the role of photography in political resistance
Exhibition venue and duration
The exhibitions can be seen from July 7 to October 5, 2025 at the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation, 18 rue de la Calade, 13200 Arles, as part of the renowned photography festival Les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles. Further information about the festival can be found at www.rencontres-arles.com.
Initiators and partners
The laif exhibition is presented by laif Agentur für Photos & Reportagen GmbH and the laif foundation for independent photojournalism. We would like to thank our sponsors WhiteWall Media GmbH (France), piCta visuelle kommunikation GmbH, pickablue GmbH and laif Genossenschaft eG. The project is managed by Fotohaus Paris-Berlin.
