Lecture series

In the talk series ‘we need to talk about...’ organised by the Centre de la photographie Genève on 26 March, the focus was on Swiss associations related to photography and art and their commitment to their members. Olga Bushkova (pool collective), Ann Griffin (near), Zoé Aubry (visarte Genève) and Anja Wurm from SIYU presented their respective organisations and discussed similarities and differences. The discussion was chaired by Danaé Panchaud.
 
While SIYU focused on working photographers - the most important feature is the SIYU pension fund, but also the provision of document templates and similar tools for members - pool collective and near focus more on freelance and artistic photographers. Both associations are organised in a correspondingly low-threshold manner and aim to promote and support creative, photographic output. Their programmes are correspondingly varied, ranging from workshops to feedback sessions and similar formats.
 
The evening and the lively questions from the audience clearly showed that an exchange beyond the boundaries of the associations is not only fruitful and valuable, but that a lot more could be achieved through alliances between similar associations in the field of photography lobbying.