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2026 SPE Annual Conference: Catalyst for Exchange

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The Archive as a Photographic Tool

Kayla Holdgreve: Evan Hume, Mahsa Ataran, Toni Pepe, Janna Ireland

Friday, March 20 - 2:30PM to 4:30PM
Atlanta 3

The Archive as a Photographic Tool is a conversation with image makers who incorporate an archive within their practice; either as a physical material, a foundation for research, or both. For the purpose of this discussion, an archive is defined as a collection of photographs that can span decades, that the image maker themselves did not create (i.e. a photographer's own portfolio archive). This general definition will be broken down into 3 specific categories: the familial archive, the general archive, and the institutional archive.

Artists will speak to their personal approach when working with a specific archive's material, as well as the significance and conceptual ideas of using this tool. We will also discuss how to approach specific archives as practicing artists and the importance of the archive within the larger canon of photography.