Dream Villa 27, 2007, 2008 – Copyright Dayanita Singh

The cinematic work of Indian photographer Dayanita Singh is on view in the primary exhibition at the annual Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto, Canada from May 1 – 31, 2011.

More about this year’s theme from the festival’s website:

Focusing on our relationship to the environment, CONTACT 2011: Figure & Ground looks at how photographic images alter perception, inform knowledge, and uncover meaning. From classical portraits of the figure in the landscape to critical views of a ground transformed by human intervention, the works in this year’s festival explore the shifting tensions between humanity and nature.

Ivy, 2010 – Copyright Viviane Sassen

Also on view are the ominous images of African youth by Dutch (fashion) photographer Viviane Sassen – these feel like a departure from her previous work that seemingly glamorized the everyday struggle of Africans as if life for most on the continent was a Marc Jacobs ad.

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