The theme of Festival of Political Photography 2024 is diagnosis. Diagnosis originally meant “resolution” or “verdict”. Its literal meaning refers to knowing something thoroughly. The word “diagnosis” is often used as an adjective – to describe what people are like – or as a noun – to describe what I am like. In reality, however, “diagnosis” is a verb – to actively do something.

Diagnosis is a process in which society chooses a lens through which people are scrutinized. Author and activist Eli Clare writes that “diagnosis wields immense power. It can provide us access to vital medical technology or shame us, reveal a path toward less pain or get us locked up. It opens doors and slams them shut.”

This exhibition’s approach to diagnosis also regards it as a specific lens which frames the exploration of different states of the body and mind in situations where they conflict with the expectations of the status quo. The culture of diagnosis makes people believe that they have to look for solutions to problems within themselves, which diverts attention away from societal structures that are often connected to those problems.

Our approach to diagnosis is much wider than merely the observation of medical symptoms. We focus our gaze on society and the diagnosis it requires. Even if individual bodies are in conflict with societal expectations, they can come together and form a collective force that has the ability to change society. Diagnosis can be a means to create order in the chaos and beauty of bodies and the world.

Diagnosis is also a prognosis about the future. It anticipates the way our bodies might change with time – how will I and others like me fare in the future? – and it can give us a glimpse of the kind of values our future society will be based on.  

photographers and artists

Laia Abril, Myriam Boulos, August Joensalo, Jan Kaila and Phan Nguyen

exhibitions

Diagnosis
31.1.–5.5.2024

ManiQueer
31.1.–31.3.2024
The Finnish Museum of Photography Gallery (0 floor), The Cable Factory, Kaapelinaukio 3, staircase G, Helsinki

Festival programme

30.1.2024 at 18–20
Festival opening!

31.1.2024 at 17.30–19
Artist talk: Laia Abril

15.2.2024 at 10:15–17
Seminar: Artists and Curators working together: How and with whom?

28.2.2024 at 18–19
Artist talk: Phan Nguyen
︎︎︎ The Finnish Museum of Photography Gallery (0 floor) / in English. Follow more detailed event information on the museum's events calendar and on social media

20.3.2024 at 17:30–19
Talk: Art & Activism
︎︎︎ The Finnish Museum of Photography / in Finnish. Follow more detailed event information on the museum's events calendar and on social media

27.3.2024
Performance by Phan Nguyen
︎︎︎ Follow more detailed event information on the museum's events calendar and on social media

24.4.2024 at 17:30–19
TALK: Diagnosis & Society
︎︎︎ The Finnish Museum of Photography / in English. Follow more detailed event information on the museum's events calendar and on social media