In Conversation David Campany |
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This month we bring you our Q&A with David Campany, Creative Director of the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York as well as a curator, editor, educator, and writer. You can find his piece on Robert Cumming in the Crude Metaphors section of the newly released Hotshoe Issue 215: At The Movies. |
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| | Hi David, can you start by telling us how your journey led you to ICP?
I studied photography and filmmaking, but on a program that was 50% writing – history, theory, criticism. I knew from early on I wanted to be with photography somehow and I was aware there could be a lot of ways to do that. Image making. Writing. Editing. Teaching. Curating. Researching. I soon found myself doing all those things, but in different places. Around 2019, when ICP asked me to join, I realised I could do everything under one roof. |  | | |
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How do you define curating?
I try not to define it too closely as it varies from project to project. At ICP, we do many kinds of shows and they each require a slightly different approach.
What exhibition has been the most rewarding to curate?
At ICP, the most rewarding has probably been a show titled Actual Size! Photography at Life Scale. Every photograph in the show was the same size as its subject matter. I just had a hunch it might make for an interesting experience for visitors. We had just emerged from the pandemic, so it wasn't seen by many people, sadly. |
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Beyond ICP, A Handful of Dust at Le Bal worked out really nicely and ended up travelling for seven years. Curating the 2020 Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie, The Lives and Loves of images, in Germany was great fun. Six museums, six thematic shows, 71 artists from 13 countries.
How do you define the success of an exhibition?
External success is measured by attendance and good press, I guess. But even then, you don't really know what's going on in the minds of visitors. It's quite mysterious. I spend a lot of time in my shows, incognito, just watching people. Internally, I have my own criteria but they're not easy to articulate. I like to be surprised.
Who are your top three favourite photographers of all time?
Today, my favourites are Carlotta Corpron, Raymond K. Metzker, and Gordon Parks. Tomorrow it will be different. |
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| | Image courtesy of Ray K. Metzker |
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What guidance would you offer to someone starting out in writing about photography?
Curiosity is like a newly hatched bird. It needs a lot of feeding, or it will die.
Having travelled to different photography fairs across the world, which ones in your opinion are the best?
This varies year to year. Peckham 24 in south London was wonderful this year. |
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| | Image courtesy of Peckham 24 |
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Do you believe a formal academic background is necessary for anyone looking to get into curating?
It really shouldn't be necessary, but the more established museums seem to be making it a requirement. I worry about this. We need mavericks and outsiders as well as professionals.
What do you read for inspiration?
I've always read widely and it's always been a source of inspiration. Literature. History. Politics. Art history. Psychoanalysis. But more and more, my inspirations are visual. The appearance of the world around me. Images of all kinds. |
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We loved hearing from David and are grateful he took the time out of his very busy schedule to answer a few questions. We also love the ICP. From their array of student programs and events to their ever popular Book Fair and very well curated (obviously) exhibitions. If you happen to be in NYC over the summer, go and see the Yves Saint Laurent and Photography exhibition, as well as Photobooks USA 2000-25. Both at ICP. You won't be disappointed! |
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