The inaugural edition of PHOTOFAIRS New York, created by Creo in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts and in collaboration with Photo London Founders Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad, is taking place from September 8-10, 2023 at the Javits Center.
The fair presents an expansive view of image-making, from modern masters of lens-based work to the boundary-pushing digital vanguard.
Running alongside The Armory Show, the fair welcomes a highly curated selection of international galleries to present a state-of-the-art view of visual culture. Visitors have the opportunity to explore a wide range of work, from traditional photography to cutting-edge digital art. The fair will also feature a number of special projects, including solo presentations by renowned photographers and large-scale installations.
PHOTOFAIRS New York includes four sectors: Galleries, the main section showcasing modern and/or contemporary artists working across photography-based art; Platform, featuring galleries established for less than eight years or booth presentations of artists under the age of 35; Screen, comprising galleries which showcase a wide range of new media and technology and digital artworks; Film, focused on new filmmaking practices, experimental film or film as an artistic medium.
One of the most fascinating works is Merik Goma’s My Heart is Light in the Void, on view at Management Gallery’s booth. Born in Manistee, MI, in 1987, now based in New Haven, he studied psychology.
His photos reflect the introverted and reflective shape of his character. “I started working at my first setting during a period of transition–I was lost, and I didn’t know how to express myself”, said Goma. “So, I started by looking at my house and figuring out what I could do with that”. He explained that, in psychology, “house” is a synonym of “mind” and how you treat your house reflects your mental order.
In My Heart is Light in the Void, the picture itself is printed on dark paper and contained in a box with a light bulb. The visitor needs to be immersed in the project as if they are observing the scene from the hallway. Before entering the room, they flip the switch, the light turns on, and the picture comes to life. When they head out of the room, they switch off the light and the picture once again becomes dark.
“When I took the original shot, I put three lights: one in the hallway, one lighting the table, and the other one lighting the woman’s face”, said Goma. “For this kind of work, it took me three months to prepare the setting, a month at least to develop the picture on dark paper and at least a few weeks more to put together the whole project”.
