Roger Ballen, photographer

I just learned of this photographer a few days ago; now I see he's leading a workshop in Morocco. Wish I could go.

Expansive, profoundly disturbing work, can't look away... 

Call for submissions! 1000 Words Workshop with Roger Ballen in Morocco, May 2012   Following successes with Antoine d’Agata, Anders Petersen and Erik Kessels   1000 Words Photography Magazine   is proud to present Roger Ballen as the workshop leader for the next retreat to Morocco (5-9 May 2012).   The 1000 Words Workshop takes place in an authentically restored and luxury riad situated in the medieval medina, at the heart of the beautifully evocative city of Fez, Morocco. The workshop will be an intense experience lasting five days and will consist of 12 participants. The medina is a vibrant labyrinth that will permeate all the senses. Surrounded by the Atlas Mountains, it offers a visually stunning backdrop for this truly unique workshop.   1000 Words is looking for a diverse range of participants who understand the work of Roger Ballen and feel that their own art will benefit from his guidance. The deadline for submissions is 1 March 2012.   “Somebody said my pictures are diamonds but they are diamonds with charcoal and carbon inside. What’s going on in the interior of that world is breakdown and chaos, but there is affection on the formal side. You constantly have to deal with these contradictions. They cause ambiguity, which is an important part of my art.” Roger Ballen         ROGER BALLEN:   Like most great artist-photographers Roger Ballen’s work is hard to define. Drawn from the documentary genre, Ballen has developed an approach all of his own. His photographs are complex tableaux of surreal and disturbing visions that attempt to reflect his own psyche, which he regards as revealing his existential journey in life. Focussing on the interactions between people, animals and objects that inhabit rooms - rooms that are typically squalid - Ballen stages unsettling scenarios that chafe on our subconscious.   Born in New York in 1950, Ballen has lived in Johannesburg, South Africa since the 1970’s. His work has been exhibited in many important institutions throughout the world and is housed in numerous museum collections including Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. Ballen is represented by the Gagosian Gallery, Stills Gallery and Gallery Xavier Hufkens S.A. His books have received critical acclaim such as Platteland: Images from Rural South Africa (1994), Outland (2001), Shadow Chamber (2005) and his latest series Boarding House (2009).         PRACTICAL INFORMATION:   The cost of the workshop will be £1250 for 5 days. Once participants have been selected they will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of £500 within two weeks. Participants can then pay the rest of the fee according to deadlines (see below). Participants are encouraged to arrive the day before the workshop begins for a welcome dinner. The price includes:   - tuition from Roger Ballen (including defining each participant’s project; shooting; editing sessions; creating a coherent body of work; creation of a slide show; projection of the images of the participants.) - a welcome and farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant - lunch everyday and snacks during the afternoon at the riad, prepared by the 3 in house chefs - 24 hour help from the 1000 Words team and an assistant/translator with local knowledge.   Participants will be expected to make their own travel arrangements and find accommodation, which in Fez can range from £150 upwards for the week. We can advise on finding the accommodation that best suits you. Remember that most of your time will be spent either at the riad or shooting. For photographers using colour film we will provide the means for processing and a scanner. Photographers shooting digital will be expected to bring all necessary equipment. Please note that for the purposes and practicalities of a workshop, digital really is advisable. All participants should also bring a laptop if they have one. Every effort will be made to accommodate individual technical needs.         TESTIMONIALS:   “I have had the most profoundly moving, fascinating, difficult, wonderful week of my life. Thank you 1000 Words. Words can not describe.” Laura   “The workshop in Fez has been a fantastic and motivational experience that I will carry with me my whole life.”Andy   “The choice of city (Fez) to develop such an educational and inspirational workshop is amazing, since the immersion begins as soon as you arrive. You are induced to leave your comfort zone and search for new references and perspectives, and given that the culture and language are so unique they also become great ingredients in this creative quest.” Alan   “My once beautiful but safely intimate portraiture became more real for me, evoking not only the fear of letting myself leap in a strange place but in the process of doing so, being able to see so much more in others.   The workshop venue was such a treat and incredible place to be able to go to every day. A sanctuary to rest and to edit and collect your thoughts. The food was more than I had expected and in fact pretty much the best food I ate in Morocco in my three weeks travel. The 1000 Words team were so on top of the workshop; they were there managing every detail from accommodations, food, coordinating the class meetings, running film to labs, scanning, and even just being sweet and kind pals to talk with about your day or have a beer with and brainstorm about your project.” Katie     HOW TO SUBMIT:   1000 Words requires that you send 10 images as low res jpegs and/or a link to your website, as well as a short biography and statement about why you think it will be relevant for you to work with Roger (approx. 200 words total). Submissions are to be sent to workshops@1000wordsmag.com with the following subject header: SUBMISSION FOR 1000 WORDS WORKSHOP WITH ROGER BALLEN.   01 March 2012: Deadline for applications 05 March 2012: Successful candidates contacted 12 March 2012: Deposit due (£500) 09 April 2012: Second installment due (£750) 04 May 2012: Arrive in Morocco for welcoming dinner 05 May 2012: Workshop begins 09 May 2012: Workshop ends   www.1000wordsmag.com