Beyond the Frame 64/
Highlights from Les Rencontres d’Arles festival of photography – beautiful photo books and passion projects filled with memory, meaning, and magic.
Les Rencontres d’Arles
I had a fascinating trip to the opening week of Les Rencontres d’Arles festival of photography.
My Postcard from Arles in the last edition shared some of my visual impressions of the festival.
There are so many photography exhibitions and photo book events in Arles that there’s a danger of being overwhelmed. One might reasonably predict that not every exhibition will resonate – and it’s true that some are more accessible than others – but I found that my attention was invariably rewarded, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Because I subscribe to the theory of the sublime spark of serendipity, I made some precious discoveries – projects that truly shine. When you encounter such gems, any festival fatigue quickly fades. So it was with my two highlights of the festival: deeply personal passion projects, connected not only by subject matter, but also by the gentle, thoughtful manner with which they were made and presented.
Both projects, Father by Diana Markosian and Binom by Nata Drachinskaya, tell of a relationship between a daughter and her father.
Daughters and fathers. Fathers and daughters. I can think of no subject more likely to summon my full attention. Both of these projects deal with loss, with absence, and with redemption. Both are achingly beautiful. It’s my heartfelt privilege to share them with you.
Father – by Diana Markosian
When she was seven years old, Diana Markosian left Moscow with her mother and brother without warning. They did not say goodbye to Diana’s father. Her video introduction explains more.
The exhibition, Father, was hosted, somewhat unceremoniously, above a supermarket on the edge of Arles. Whilst shoppers filled their carts with groceries downstairs, visitors fed their senses with the images and sounds of Diana Markosian’s moving project upstairs.
In the dark, blank space, videos were projected onto large screens, audio tracks whispered through the air, and photographs adorned the walls. It was, in fact, the perfect place for an exhibition like this. No imposing architecture to shape the mood, only the delicate memories of a once-absent father and the process of reacquaintance.
At the end of the exhibition, we find two chairs and a table, upon which are pens and paper, together with an invitation to write and post an anonymous letter to a person missing from our lives.
I noticed that the letterbox was full and the paper almost gone. So much loss and absence. It’s no wonder that Diana’s project resonates.
Here’s a quick glimpse at my copy of Father.
The project was the winner of the Prix Pour la Photo Madame Figaro 2025, an annual award presented to a “photographer with a singular and impactful project.”
Diana’s photo book, Father, is currently in stock on the publisher’s website.
Binom – by Nata Drachinskaya
Binom is the second of my two favourite projects and another which explores a father/daughter relationship.
Here’s Nata Drachinskaya’s introduction of the project in her own words:
“This project started as a personal story of copying the family trauma of my father’s suicide in 2001. Exploring my dad’s photo archive and personal belongings after his death I realised that he had another, secret life. For over 25 years he worked as a KGB cryptographer, developing encryption algorithms to secure government communications. His role was so classified that even his family remained unaware of its full scope. In the Binom photo book, I portray his two separate lives through a dual-volume visual narrative, reflecting the duality and contradictions of Soviet state propaganda that proclaimed peace while initiating military aggression.”
– Nata Drachinskaya
I had resisted the urge to open my dummy copy of Binom before arriving home from Arles. A dummy is a pre-publication sample but, especially in this case, it’s rarely something that’s quickly thrown together.
Nata has hand-sewn every copy of the 92 limited edition samples. Each includes carefully positioned photos, letters, and even her father’s Communist Party Membership Card. It looks almost exactly like a treasured scrapbook with the original material inside. It’s an incredibly clever and detailed way to present the items that now shape Nata’s memory of her father.
As you will see, I didn’t immediately realise that the book, which is in two parts, opens up to reveal a collage of photos. The magnetic closure is a pleasing detail. Also, I didn’t want to disturb the prints at first but when I did turn one over it revealed additional information. That sense of finding real prints that have been carefully inserted into a family album makes the book even more personal. As you will see, I’ve included those things at the end of this quick flick-through video.
Binom was awarded first prize in the Luma Rencontres Dummy Book Award 2025. The award is presented to the best pre-publication photo book.
You can learn more about Nata’s project on her website and I assume details will be available when the finalised version of Binom goes to print.
I missed a chance to speak with Diana Markosian by a few minutes, having been swept away by the tide of distractions that Arles showers upon visitors. But I did randomly bump into Nata Drachinskaya on the street and was pleased to have an opportunity to congratulate her on her winning project.
Like Magazine
I briefly mentioned Like magazine in Beyond the Frame 59/ so I was pleased to see the publishers were also visiting Arles this year.
Like is a French photography magazine but the publishers explained to me that they have printed two editions in English. I picked up the current, special edition, for the interview with Joel Meyerowitz but found a great deal more inside.
I really hope the English edition sells well and provides the impetus to produce more. Like is exactly the sort of insightful photography magazine that I would happily subscribe to.
Here’s my quick flick-through.
Les Rencontres d’Arles Festival Catalogue
When I registered for Les Rencontres d’Arles, there was an option to pre-order the festival catalogue. I placed my order, assuming I would receive a modest pamphlet that would serve as a reminder of the event.
When I went to pick up my pass, I was presented with a hefty tome that outweighs all the other books I purchased put together.
It’s evidence of how thoroughly well-organised the event is. Whilst I was making videos of books from Arles, I thought you might like to see this one too.
Artisans of Dartmoor by Suzy Bennett
Finally, I’ve enjoyed an embarrassment of riches this week. Suzy Bennett’s book, Artisans of Dartmoor, which I introduced in Beyond the Frame 56/ was waiting on the doorstep when I got home.
Artisans of Dartmoor is Suzy’s crowdfunded passion project. The campaign has ended now and I’m not sure if it’s still possible to obtain a copy but you can – and you should – follow Suzy on Instagram.
Rounding off a series of book flick-throughs with a real highlight, here’s a quick glimpse at Artisans of Dartmoor.
I love the fact that I wasn’t even aware of most of these photography projects a week ago. I’m not-so-quietly excited at the prospect of escaping all the digital screens in my life to look at actual, printed pictures that exist in the real world.
Even more satisfying is knowing that each was crafted from a genuine love of photography and a passion for personal, authentic storytelling.
If you need me, I’ll be on the sofa, drinking tea and reading photo books. Which is as it should be.
Until next time, go well.
(If you were able to take just one of these books/magazines home with you, which would you choose and why?)
Binom is incredible, and I just ordered my copy. Looks like Nata workshopped it at Tokyo's Reminders Photography Stronghold, which is often the birthplace of projects with similar characteristics. Their site is worth a look if you are wishing for some unconventional, personal, hand-made works.
Beautiful as always Gavin. Thank you for taking us to a place I sadly probably won't ever visit and giving us such a wonderful sense of what it was like and introducing us to two amazing projects. I'll choose Binom. Amazing.