© Wolfgang Staudt 2008
In September 2013 the OCA will cross the Channel and travel to the Rencontres d’Arles. It was only a mater of time before we agreed to add an international photography festival to our calendar of visits. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on our study visits that we had in 2012 encouraged us to expand the geographical boundaries of our visits and go international. Read on and find out what the plan is.
Why Arles? As the very first photography festival in the world, founded back in 1969, the Rencontres d’Arles has been a point of reference in photographic practice over the last 40 years. It has a reputation for showing primarily new, un-exhibited work from contemporary practitioners. Over the last four decades Rencontres d’Arles has managed to keep a marked ‘fringe’ character that differentiates it from the media magnet that is Paris Photo. The theme of next year’s Rencontres d’Arles is ‘New visions of the Arab world”. Ambitious and highly political, the festival will show work produced by photographers from the Mediterranean basin.
Over 60 exhibitions will be shown in Arles, most of them in museums and ancient buildings of the UNESCO-listed historic quarter, renowned by its Roman and Romanesque heritage. Next year there will be the added interest of Marseille-Provence being the 2013 European Capital of Culture, with a wealth of cultural events happening through the summer.
We will post more details on WeAreOCA when the full festival programme is available in April 2013.
Arles study visit in a nutshell
5th-8th September 2013 (including travel to/from Arles)
3 nights in Arles
2 full days visiting exhibitions (6th & 7th)
30 students maximum
Travel & Accommodation suggestions
Students will be required to make their own travel arrangements and book their accommodation.
The OCA team will be most probably flying to/from Marseille with Easyjet (outbound afternoon 5th Sep, return morning 8th Sep) then travelling on the train to Arles – check timetables on the SNCF website.
The OCA team will be staying at Hôtel Porte de Camargue, which is an affordable option within walking distance of the historic quarter of Arles and the festival venues.
Festival tickets & student-led OCA regional workshops
There is a £25 non-refundable booking fee for this study visit. The OCA will cover the festival entry fee for attending students – in Sep 2012 it was 27€ .
We will also be asking for volunteer workshop facilitators amongst attending students. This is a new ‘viral feedback’ initiative intended to make this study visit as inclusive as possible by involving other OCA students not able to join us in Arles. We want to encourage attending students to share their experience of the Arles visit with their local OCA community.
To book please ring the OCA office during office hours (0800 731 2116).
have reserved my place .. !!
likewise…
likewise—and done the hotel.
I tried the hotel but could not book … !?
Shall try again
finally … net did not work so telephoned … am booked in!
Where are you staying Amano?
Hotel de Camargue
Moi aussi, je pense. I’m sharing a room with Anna.
Just a note – not many rooms left at Porte de Carmargue – I assume the OCA staff have taken their quota. At least, that’s how it seems booking through an intermediary site – I couldn’t book online using the hotels own site. I’m in though.
Had online problems too—on a Mac—whether that made a difference I don’t know—or if I had something blocking pop-ups. But managed—tried Ctrl+click on book; then all the other special keys and eventually we were in. Did not opt for the breakfast—presuming can make a decision when there? Booked a twin, have offered the bed to someone who is not yet sure if coming—but if anyone wants to be on waiting list—shout.
Now to look at trains, planes and automobiles…
The bed has been taken—so no longer available
I’m booked in as well. Seems ages away but I guess that time will fly!
Booked as well. I have gone for the ‘lit matrimonial’ option as there were no other rooms left !!!!
Heh – I’ve booked the hotel, but travel looks like something of a pain in the …. Plenty of time to sort it out though.
I live in the East Midlands so Stansted is more convenient than Gatwick. I’ve booked with Ryanair (I went to Marseille with them last year and was surprised how painless it was apart from a VERY long wait for luggage after we arrived at Marseille). The flight is late on Thurs a.m., returning Sun p.m., so I get a few more hours in Arles than the Easyjet people!
Jill
Hi Jill,
I’ll be travelling on the same flight (I’m coming from Ireland), not sure if the train in Marseilles is direct from the airport, but happy to share the trip up to Arles if you want some company.
Now back to my learning blog…
Thomas.
Hi John, The company would be good – will look forward to meeting you. I splashed out an extra 10 quid to book a seat in the front row on the plane as I get panicky waiting to get off! Might be able to bag the adjacent seat for you unless one priority-boarder puts coats on every front row seat as I’ve seen happen before. I gather the train is a short shuttle-bus ride from the airport. Am booked in at the Belvedere.
What I am seeing is either easyjet or BA into Marseille and then a shuttle to train station and a 30min (?0 train trip to Arles. Ryanair is also listed—but not my preference ever…!
Beware cheap flights ‘ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVASZ2lCY5Y&list=UUN5G7St005maRKFRJMOZa5g&index=20
Priceless John – very funny!
Feckin funny, thanks John.
I would love to have joined you but couldn’t face the hassle of booking everything else to go with it
((
Ah .. so that is why you are the new OCASA secretary!
Just saw this Amano – Very funny!
I am sorry not to be joining you, but I have booked an apartment for a few days in Arles in order to take a more leisurely view at the event; and then I plan to spend a week or so touring the area, it has been such a long time since I was down there. I’ll hopefully see the study visit schedule and make sure that I view what you lot do in order to compare notes.
Happy New Year!
I’m sorry you’re not coming with us John.
Think I got the last double room.
I’m with you on avoiding Ryanair Vicky. I can’t forgive them for their treatment of people in wheelchairs.
Squeezyjet wouldn’t be a first choice for me either but could go with that (or maybe use some of my Avios on BA). I think it would be good to have the option to meet up and travel as a group. Company for any nervous travellers, and adds to the fun of the trip also. It’s a long way away but will try to set something up – perhaps a time and place to meet at the airport – so those who want to can travel together from there.
That’s a great idea Eileen. Go for it.
I agree! I’m a little bit of a nervous traveller!
Let me rephrase that—not a nervous traveller—just fearful of getting lost in strange countries! I have no sense of direction—and am not allowed out the village without a GPS. One trip (2.7 miles) took me 105 minutes because I kept taking the wrong turning—people in local pub still laugh about it—14 years later!
It’s much more fun being lost if you’re not alone, I think. ; -)
Around March/April we should be able to book travel so we can pick up this thread then.
I don’t mind Sleazy, their seats are comfortable and their staff smile (usually) and they don’t seem to penny pinch as much as their ‘Cheap-flights, Cheap-flights’ rivals.
looks like it might be a shuttle down to either London or Paris, then another down to Marseilles… I’ve not booked yet – waiting to see if the other half wants to come too.
Rob, please let us know details of the train option, or share them on the blogs if you don’t mind; other students might find it helpful.
No details available yet, it’s just too early. I guess details will become available March-ish (maybe 6 months in advance)
For Bristol it’s April
I would love to go, just need to square it with Heidi. I’ll call the office tomorrow and put in a provisional booking. Will be nice to be on my side of the channel. Travel is less of an issue, trains, planes, or automobiles – however, long drive from Munich…
At least for those based in London and the South East, I wouldn’t rule out the train. It is too early to book, but in March the best single I can find on the SNCF website is 33 Euros, with a journey time of less than 4 hours.
Hope to be able to go. Went on train this year to Holland – found it really easy – used Railbookers.
As I only live a couple of hours away from Arles will hopefully join up with you on a non res. basis.It’s certainly a great show and well worth the visit, though I was disappointed in this year’s effort, compared with 2011 which I found inspirational . Apart from anything else the venues themselves are great photographic subjects – especially the Parc de Ateliers which is an old factory site formerly owned by SNCF (French Railways) and converted , graffiti and all in to an exhibition centre. Look forward to seeing you there…
Paul
I’m in too. I found a room in Le Belvedere fairly close in price to the Porte Camargue, it’s 10 min walk from railway station and 5 mins from amphitheatre. It’s fairly close to the Porte Camargue too so meeting up with the folks staying there should be easy.
Now to figure out how to get there from Ireland!
inspired by Mirjam – I’ve moved from Le Belvedere to the Porte Camargue. I did spot a fairly cheap single on booking.com at Le Belvedere earlier today if anyone is looking
I have booked my place and a twin room – does anybody want to share?
Yes please, if it’s nearby Anna. Thank you
Stephanie Hollis (student number 507165)
tel 01225 429 733
I’ve booked my place – but not a room yet – if anyone wants to share I’m happy to
Tel 01522 532309
Sorry, Hazel. My spare is taken. Bonne chance!
Hi, I have just booked my place and will be joining you from Zürich… I had no problems booking a room at the Porte de Camargue hotel through their website (on a Mac….) I am looking forward to this visit and to meeting up all of you.
I’m coming too and looking forward to it.
Congratulations Stephanie !!
Thanks Amano. I’m glad you’re coming too
Hi
Have just booked Porte de Carmargue direct – double room for 1 on their website.
They still have some other rooms left – twins, triples
Hi,
I’ve just booked my place and this is going to be my first study visit so far. It is a bit too early to feel exited about it, but…
Need to book a hotel yet and find a way to get to Arles from Moscow, but that should not be much of a problem.
Just booked! Will sort the hotel out later. Traveling by motorbike I think so will see you guys there!
Would be good to know more about this …
“We will also be asking for volunteer workshop facilitators amongst attending students. This is a new ‘viral feedback’ initiative intended to make this study visit as inclusive as possible by involving other OCA students not able to join us in Arles. We want to encourage attending students to share their experience of the Arles visit with their local OCA community.”
Looks like there are three of us from SW-OCA already !!
Is John coming? If not who is the other from the South West?
Not sure Anna Goodchild is actually part of SW-OCA but she has attended meetings in the South West .. !!? Over to you Anna?!
This does not really answer my question though which concerns “volunteer workshop facilitators” and what their expected role is … !?
Yes it’s a bit vague.
Hi Amano, I have just read this so I hope you don’t think I was ignoring your question. As Jose says, we’ll wait & see. I am booking my tickets in about 3 weeks’ time after which I am off to Kathmandu which I have wanted to do since 1972! I know you have been there so I shall greet Annapurna for you! I shall look into signing up for the SW OCA group.
Hi Anna
I went to Kathmandu in 1978 – quite an experience – have returned many times since but not for a few years now – the city has become polluted.
The Tibetan community are interesting – please contact me directly if you want an introduction or two to locals.
Amano
All in good time Amano
OK .. no hurry, no worry!
Manayana!
The other option to flying is by train from London, change at Lille to a TGV to Marseille
http://www.seat61.com/France.htm#London%20to%20Nice%20by%20train
There are more trains if you change in Paris, it’s an easy change.
Thanks for that as I was wondering about Lille V Paris!
One platform change at Lille?
Eurostar comes in at Gare du Nord, then metro to Paris Gare Lyon for Marseille St Charles?
Is this my friend Dave Hinns?
It might be the occasion for me to attend my first study visit!I’ll probably be in Berlin next year, closer to Arles than Chicago… As soon as I know,I’ll call the office to book for the study visit if there are still places available. Hope so…
I live in the Middle East and am visiting France in August so decided to extend visit and attend my first ever study visit, hope you can make it
I have booked this visit. Just wondering where everyone is staying as I now need to book a hotel room.
Not checked the OCA forum recently but is there a thread on there regarding this visit, that we can share ideas about travel etc.
Rob
Rob
There’s no thread yet—I think people were letting it lie until March April [ish]. Most of us are at the Camargue mentioned in the post. But not sure if there are still vacancies
Yes, the plan is to wait a little. Some journeys can’t be booked more than six months in advance. It seems likely that there will be two or three main options for travelling and possibly a few groups.
Thank you both for replying. Will check the hotels mentioned in the previous posts and wait to make travel arrangements. I was thinking of staying for a few extra days in Arles, need to make my mind up about this.
I have just seen this and managed t get a place on this study visit, this will be my first study visit so excited but apprehensive. Will be travelling from France, as I will be visiting my home, have still to find a room somewhere. Any suggestions anyone, don’t fancy being on my ownsome. May stay on a few days extra and make a break of it.
I am in!
This will be my first study visit. I was wondering if somebody was still looking for someone to share a room?
My first study visit too, I may be going a day early, just to look around, where are you planning on staying, I am happy to share.. will be in UK from 10th March, you can reach me on 07814035446 from 10th to 25th March, lets chat about it.
Brilliant—see you in September!
Hi Sue, could you give me your email address?
two Stephanies on the trip then
yes!
Hello stephanie. How did you get your name in red?
only one Stephanie now as I am pulling out
Hi Stephanie, my email address is
sue-churchman@hotmail.co.uk
Would love to make contact, and if still available share a room, makes for a better value experience. I can skype you if you give me a telephone number. I am in the Middle East at moment but will be in UK from 10th March. Hope that I hear from you today…….
I am stayin in hotel Saint trophime which is on Rue de Calade. Rue De Calade is right in the centre, 2 mins walk from the square pictured above. The hotel is nice, old, quaint with lots of character. I stayed here two years ago and really enjoyed it.
Can you keep me in the loop with when you book transport as I don’t fancy making the journey on my own.