I met last Friday with the director for the recently formed Centro
Portugues de Fotografia.
CPF is an oficial agency that is now responsible for the National
Photographic Archives and the National Photographic Collection.
Located at Oporto, they have been given what was once a huge medieval
prison. It is now being transformed into a permanent museum and a very
large cultural complex dedicated exclusively to photography.
They have agreed, in principle, to host APIS 98, providing full logistics,
space for the event and exhibitions (up to three simultaneous alt photo
exhibits).
We will be able to have some finantial support, secretarial work,
assistance with hotel reservations, strong negotiationg power for
preferencial hotel rates and even a wellcome desk at the airport.
Through the Portuguese Government's Trade Department, they will try to
invite representatives of several major photographic publications to be
present during the event.
By moving APIS to Oporto we will manage to solve the problem of hotel space
created by the World Fair. CPF intends to organize a trip to Lisbon for
those attending the event, providing transportation and hopefully free
tickets to Expo 98. (I hope they can get it!)
APIS will last for 4 days, July 16 through 19. We will have enough space
for theoretical presentations and practical workshops. They have asked for
a list of material and equipment necessary.
I shall be in S. Francisco from February 20th through the first week in
April (I will be teaching a five week course at the San Francisco Art
Institute). Before I go I will give CPF a detailed description of what must
be done and they will pick it up from there, until I return.
This is an unbelievable location for the event. Better than anybody can
even imagine.
See you all very soon.
More information next week.
Carlos Gasparinho
e-mail: nop51076@mail.telepac.pt