Archives in Focus: A Unique Exploration of Photography and History

 

Archives in Focus—an international gathering dedicated to photography and visual culture, co-organized by the Myanmar Photo Archive and the Goethe-Institut Myanmar with local and international partners.

 

Archives in Focus’ marks the culmination of a two-year collaboration between Myanmar Photo Archive and Goethe-Institut Myanmar, focused on the diverse, community driven and participatory reinterpretation of the archive’s visual materials. This collaborative effort concludes in a three-week international program / series of events, showcasing the results of the past two years of their joint work.

This unique event will take place from November 15th to December 22nd, spanning over two locations: Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Yangon, Myanmar.

 

Archives in Focus will showcase compelling narratives from Myanmar and beyond, offering profound insights into how lives have been documented and portrayed by both professional and amateur photographers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The program will feature a diverse array of stories, from colonial-era photographs to contemporary explorations of identity, culture, and displacement. In a time marked by increasing global and local divisions regarding societal governance and structure, the event invites us to rethink and reinterpret our past and present. Through a series of exhibitions, workshops, and talks, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with artists, curators, and collectives as they offer fresh perspectives on history and personal experiences.

PROGRAM

download program here

 

 

CHIANG MAI

CONTACT PRINTS / คอนแทคปรินท์ / အလင်းထိဓာတ်ပုံများ

The Myanmar Photo Archive and the Goethe-Institut Myanmar are delighted to present this first display of local Myanmar photographic history, illustrated with images from the Myanmar Photo Archive in Thailand. Contact Prints is part of the international gathering and exhibition Archives in Focus, held in Chiang Mai and Yangon over four weeks.

SOME SPACE Gallery: 124/4-5 Sri Poom Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai https://maps.app.goo.gl/8f48bnVRyiS5DCBW9

Opening: Friday 15th of November  16-21.00 /   Duration 15th-27th of November

 


 

YANGON

PAGE BY PAGE

The Goethe-Institut will serve as the central hub for Archives in Focus, transforming into an interactive bookshelf from November 29th to December 15th. The exhibition PAGE by PAGE will highlight the medium of the photo-book as a storytelling tool, featuring narratives from the Myanmar Photo Archive alongside works by local photographers and artists who use the photo-book format to explore personal and historical reflections. Visitors can spend time in the Goethe auditorium and library to browse, read, and enjoy the books on display, alongside an exhibition illustrating some of the themes featured in the books.

Goethe-Insitut / Archives in Focus HQ

next corner, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Nat Mauk St, Yangon https://maps.app.goo.gl/EwdTVHDk9QVTwBgY7

Opening: Friday 29th November 4pm   / Duration: 29th November – 15th December

 


 

RETHINK BEATO: From Italy to Burma အီတလီနိုင်ငံမှ ဗမာပြည်သို့ ၁၈၃၂-၁၉၀၉ 1832 -1909

The Italian Embassy in Yangon is extremely proud to partner with Myanmar Photo Archive in presenting to the Myanmar public and beyond the complex and elusive figure of Felice Beato, one of the most talented pioneers of the nascent photographic art, and in highlighting his role in shaping the image of Burma in the eyes of the world. The Italo-British photographer settled in Mandalay at the apex of an extraordinary career and of lifelong peregrinations. He immediately left a profound mark through his advanced photographic techniques, his exquisite artistic taste and his marketing skills and expanded the horizon of Myanmar knowledge in Europe and elsewhere. His iconic photos have forged an “idea of Burma” that – however stereotyped as it might be considered today – is still part of the collective imagination and memory of Myanmar.

Turquoise Mountain

47B Pho Sein Street, Yangon  https://maps.app.goo.gl/suZjgjw9jmz8EpcU6

Opening: 30th of November  4pm   /  Duration: 30th November – 15th December

 


 

War and Peace by the Vernacular Social Club

The exhibition offers a collective visual exploration of conflict and harmony through everyday photography. The images, submitted by club members from three continents, reflect on the dichotomies of war and peace in various global contexts. These photographs were then published in the club’s bi-yearly journal, REVU. The images showcased in the exhibition range from joyful to abstract, and at times, deeply horrific, capturing the complexities of human experience. This collection emphasizes the power of vernacular photography—unposed, everyday snapshots that offer raw, intimate perspectives on the realities of war and peace. Through personal lenses, these photos depict how ordinary people experience and process conflict, offering unique insight into the emotional and psychological impacts of global tensions. Each piece invites viewers to reflect on the tensions and contrasts between serenity and chaos, offering diverse perspectives on how individuals perceive and navigate these opposing forces.

Downtown Apartment Top Floor

201/203 Seikkantha Street, Yangon https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q3VZX6vUa5jFXqfg6

Opening: 1st of December 4pm   /    Duration: 1st December – 15th December

 


 

MOVIE POSTERS by Save Myanmar Film

In this exhibition you will get a rare insight into Myanmar’s wonderful movie poster heritage. Save Myanmar Film is the first NGO dedicated to preserving Myanmar’s cinematic heritage through film archiving. It pioneered archival projects and conducted workshops with foreign professionals to raise awareness of the country’s fragile film legacy. Crucial national documentaries, such as footage of the independence movement and speeches by General Aung San, remain on deteriorating film reels that require urgent preservation. The organization carries out film repairs, identification, and rewinding to prolong the life of these black-and-white and color films. Additionally, Save Myanmar Film has created a public film catalogue based on extensive research, expanding its mission to preserve Myanmar’s cultural history. In addition to the Movie Poster exhibition two restored films will be screen at the Goethe-Institut during Archives in Focus.

Downtown Apartment Top Floor

201/203 Seikkantha Street, Yangon  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q3VZX6vUa5jFXqfg6

Opening: 1st of December 4pm /   Duration: 1st December – 15th December

 


 

IT’s FASHION

Fashion is absolutely universal, whether it derives from a creative force, a form of expression, vanity, a love for colors, beauty, or simply fun. Myanmar’s rich fashion sensibility is evident every day on the streets, from traditional attire and adaptations of international trends to absolutely unique combinations of anything imaginable. This exhibition at the Yangon Book Plaza offers a glimpse into fashion through studio photography, personal snapshots, and advertisements—a true delight for the eyes.

Yangon Book Plaza Lanmadaw St, Yangon,  https://maps.app.goo.gl/unkq7AnsJG72txiw7

Duration: 29th November – 15th December

 


 

A cup of…

In the vibrant corners of downtown, we invite you to experience an intimate exhibition at Café Deja Brew, focusing on social gatherings and the precious moments spent together, captured through vernacular photography. The carefully selected images come from personal photo albums in Yangon, showcasing candid snapshots that reveal the essence of community and connection. As you enjoy a cup of your favorite brew, immerse yourself in the rich narratives behind each photograph, gaining unique insights into the past. Join us for a heartwarming journey through time, celebrating the beauty of shared experiences in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Café Deja Brew No.134 . 37th Middle Block Between MahaBandola & Anaratha Road Yangon, https://maps.app.goo.gl/cWjgKfHqQoVvAfRw8

Duration: 29th November – 15th December

 


 

When Spirits Flow Backwards / ဝိညာဉ်များနောက်ပြန်စီးဆင်းသည့်အခါ Curated by Aung Myat Htay

This exhibition explores the dynamic interplay between Myanmar’s past and present, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural continuity that transcends time. While historical periods—from monarchy and colonialism to independence and modern political uncertainty—may appear distinct, the exhibition highlights how socio-political and cultural values remain deeply interconnected. Archival images invite viewers to reflect on their identity and memories, juxtaposing them with contemporary experiences, evoking emotions such as pride, nostalgia, or haunting reflections on the past. ­Drawing on John Locke’s theory of memory and Michel Foucault’s concept of “counter-memory,” the exhibition questions the notion of history as objective truth, instead presenting memory as fluid and shaped by socio-political contexts. The photographs serve as a medium to explore how the past continues to influence the present, revealing the complex relationships between identity and history in Myanmar.

Featured artists, including Alco Htoo, Han Reality, Kelvin Shine Ko, Ko Sai, Kyaw Min Htet, May Thin Kyi, Moe Myat and Ye Kyaw Aung, were commissioned during an open call organized by the Goethe-Institut Myanmar and the Myanmar Photo Archive to reinterpret history through their contemporary artistic lenses.

Location: Downtown Apartment Top Floor

190 Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon, right side of liberal tailor  https://maps.app.goo.gl/mkctjKugsVCEVR9o9

Opening: 6th of December 4pm   /   Duration: 6th December – 22nd December

 


 

SIDE PROGRAM:

 

WORKSHOP:  coming soon

 

MOVIE NIGHTS: by Save Myanmar Film on the 5th and 7th of December in the Goethe Auditorium

 


 

 

 

Project Partners: