Backlight 1999/2002
An overview

Backlight in Tampere has been a very inspiring and interesting experience. I
have participated in both editions, as curator of the italian section. The
first time I was invited to select an Italian artist to include in the main
show on Young European Photography. Once in Tampere, i was surprised by the
high level of artists participating in the show, and the nice atmosphere of
the organization. It has been a real pleasure to meet curators, journalists,
artists in a relaxed environment.  Everything was small and perfect.
The second time, the challange was more intriguing: select 3/4 artists to
include in a major exhibition in Vappriki, the beautiful exhibition space in
Tampere. When I arrived, many clues gave me the idea that I was experiencing
something more professionaly organized. In fact, the exhibition revealed to
be a beautifully set up sequence of the best production of photography in
Europe. The atmosphere was even (if possible) more international, and
everything sounded more organized in general.
What I would suggest for the future Backlight 2005 is more meetings for
curators/artists, in order to easily establish connections and relations.
For me the real core of this event is the possibility to exchange ideas,
projects, make plans and devise strategies to make the event work even more
efficiently.

-- 
Alessandra Capodacqua
Fondazione Studio Marangoni