About the exhibition
The exhibition aims to unveil an interesting and lesser-known aspect of Magnum photographers’ portfolios and, in so doing, the reality of a career in photography: Open For Business exposes the true nature of the job, which comes with assignments that highlight the qualities of Magnum’s visual storytellers in completely different ways.
Open for Business shines a light on the diversity of Magnum’s commissioned work from the 1950s to 2019. From the beginning, the balance between independent and commercial work has led to fierce discussions amongst Magnum photographers. Every member of the agency considers corporate commissions differently. This exhibition features the outcome of these experiences, putting a sharp focus on the ethical questions that arise with them. It reveals interactions between commercial and personal photography, emphasizing the ways in which photographers have shaped or changed the visual languages of corporations by applying their personal sensitivity to assignments, with surprising, ironic and often humorous results.
On Assignment talks and online courses
For many photographers today – and especially for those whose practice is documentary - accepting and pursuing commissions and assignments within the media industry helps to build and contribute to a sustainable career. Through a series of talks and online courses, we will take a closer look at the dynamics of this industry.
Sign up for the talks on 17 August to learn more about how to navigate the territory between your own practice and the media industry at large. Each talk will be followed by an online course in which we dive deeper into the subject.
For more information or press requests, please see here or contact our press office at pressoffice@foam.org.
The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with Magnum Photos Paris and the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation. It is curated by Anne-Marie Beckmann, Director Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, and Mirjam Kooiman, curator of Foam.
Foam is supported by de VriendenLoterij, Foam Members, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, the VandenEnde Foundation and the City of Amsterdam.
Open for Business
Magnum Photographers on Commission