Location: GLAS311

In this illustrated lecture, conceptual artist and photographer Joan Fontcuberta explores coral reefs as hybrid entities that challenge traditional systems of classification and knowledge. Fontcuberta's photographic exploration of corals—part plant, mineral, and animal—challenges the foundational yet incomplete moment in evolutionary thought in Charles Darwin's own early studies of coral reefs.  The lecture is a fascinating speculation on the potential consequences of corals' more central involvement in Darwin's theory, establishing a connection between scientific archives, field observation, and photographic practice, and established perceptions of truth.

For more than four decades of prolific dedication to photography and extensive publication and installations, Joan Fontcuberta (Barcelona, 1955) has developed an intense and widely recognized artistic and theoretical activity.  Fontcuberta's work and projects have made up a journey through botany, zoology, astronomy, cosmonautics, paleontology, and geography, continuously observing processes of hybridity and fusion.  Sometimes in a ludic sense (Fontcuberta's work is well known for its mischief and playfulness), other times in a deeply grave tone, Joan Fontcuberta's visual work has explored the documentary and narrative dimensions of photography, post-photography, and related media, engaging his work in digitalization and AI.

Joan Fontcuberta's artwork has regularly been exhibited at prestigious international venues worldwide, including the MoMA (NY), the Art Institute of Chicago, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris), the Science Museum (London), and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Barcelona). Also the Folkwang Museum in Essen, the IVAM in Valencia, the Musée Redpath in Montreal, and the Fotografiemuseum (FOAM) Amsterdam. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Canada, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and in major collections such as MoMA, New York; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Art Institute of Chicago; the Centre Pompidou, Paris; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; and MACBA, Barcelona, among others.

Joan Fontcuberta has authored many books about different aspects of the history, aesthetics, and epistemology of photography, many translated into many languages—the latest into English, Against Barthes. The Eye and the Index (Mack, 2025). In 2013 Joan Fontcuberta received the International Hasselblad Foundation Award. In 2021, Joan Fontcuberta was  appointed Doctor Honoris Causa by the Sorbonne Université Paris VIII.