Arles 2014
This September the OCA study visit tour bus will head south again to visit the Rencontres d’Arles. Last year 20 students joined us for two intense days of viewing, debating and socialising. The theme of this year’s photography festival is yet to be announced but you can be assured it will be a worthwhile trip.
Arles study visit in a nutshell
4 to 7 September 2014 (including travel to/from Arles)
3 nights in Arles with a group meal on the Friday evening and social on Saturday
2 full days visiting exhibitions (Friday 5 and Saturday 6)
Students will be required to make their own travel arrangements and book their accommodation. If you are thinking of extending your visit (the festival is huge with over 50 exhibitions) you are advised to stay on after the study visit.
The OCA team (Sharon Boothroyd, Keith Roberts and myself) will almost certainly travel to Arles by train and will be staying at the Hôtel Porte de Camargue, which is an affordable option within walking distance of the historic quarter of Arles and the festival venues.
There is a £25 non-refundable booking fee for this study visit. The OCA will cover the festival entry fee for attending students – in 2013 it was 27€.
If you attended in 2013 we might ask you to volunteer to help organise the sessions or to research some of the work we we see.
To book please ring the OCA office during office hours (0800 731 2116).
31 thoughts on “Arles 2014”
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booked … !!
Tempting as it is, I think I will do my own thing this year (I might not be a student then anyway…)
For anyone reading this and thinking about it, I can’t recommend it highly enough!!
I get the idea that the theme, or at least part of it, is to do with the 100th anniversary of the First World War. They’re doing an exposition of (I’ll call it vernacular) photographs of French war monuments, of which there are apparently 40000… (we spoke of this last time with John Davies before and after photographs of one that had been removed).
I’ll be in France during the submission period, so I’ll have a go – they need to be taken in a particular way then uploaded onto their website. I’m thinking that my next project will be around “conflict” photography, so it would be quite apt…
Not booked yet—but is on my to do list. Was there last year, and it was so worthwhile. Rob, you should be there as an ‘oldie’. My plan at the moment is to extend my visit either before or after for a couple more days as there is so much to see. And if I am there, I’m offering to organise the ‘social’ as long as there is no threat of rain!
If all goes well, I’ll have enrolled on an MA somewhere and bought a new MF camera, so Arles might be off my radar this time.
Just something worth pointing out there. I said I hope to enrolled on an MA. 6 months ago I was doubtful that I would complete the BA because I was in the doldrums. Going to Arles has reignited that spark!
‘Going to Arles has reignited that spark!’
It was very worthwhile, on many levels. It’s hard to explain Arles to anyone who hasn’t been there – it really needs to be experienced.
This all sounds good but my most poignant question at the moment is roughly how much does it all cost?
I think it would be helpful if some of the students who went last year could reply to give you an indication Ray. The biggest cost is likely to be getting there and back. The hotel the OCA staff stay in costs about £50 a night. The two days is pretty full on, so once you are there you only have to think about food and drinks.
Ok, from memory, as Gareth said about £50/night for the hotel, £150 for flights from Liverpool to Nice, and about £70 return from Nice to Arles. Then there were some taxis (£30 from the train station to the airport in Nice, although there is a bus for about €5 as I found out later) and about £6 or 7 from the station in Arles to the hotel (some people walked). Food and drink is what it is everywhere when you eat out… the experience is priceless though. It was for me anyway.
In hindsight, I wouldn’t fly to Nice, I think it would be about the same to grab a train to London from the NW, then get the train straight down to Arles. It would probably take about the same length of time.
Ray , I flew with BA Heathrow to marseille about £140 return, train to Arles approx €12 each way. Free bus between airport and train. Stayed in different hotel to OCA tutors about €80 per night. Great experience would highly recommend.
Booked. I assume most people used the train to get there?
I think they did last year Richard. The OCA staff certainly did and very civilised it was too.
I’m in, really enjoyed last year and couldn’t miss this year. I will be calling the office first thing Monday. I shall be traveling by motor cycle again I hope!
Really enjoyed it too last year, unfortunately I’ll just be back in the US and it will be too far this time. Let’s hope there will be a Arles 2015…
Thanks for organizing it again Gareth, as Rob and the other said, it was really great!
I really enjoyed it last year. Booked hotel direct and there were four of us who met up and went on the train. Really need some time to yourself though as tours are full on. Not planned hols yet.
Thanks for all the comments guys, I am really considering this. Would it be OK if my wife came with me on the visit or is it strictly students?
Your wife is very welcome to join you for the trip and the socials Ray. For the gallery visits etc the rule is students only. This rule might be relaxed at the visit, but we can’t guarantee it. Last year we had 20+ students and 2 partners and that was easily manageable – you can imagine if it was 20 students and 20 partners it would change the nature of the event.
booked up the hotel mentioned above – looks good
Booked! My wife came along last year Ray, & she’s coming again this year. Arles is a great town with lots of things to do & see.
look forward to seeing you again … !!
I can’t remember the cost … perhaps I don’t want to! Eating out at a restaurant can be pricey but there are lots of smaller eateries … !
There are still places on this visit available. The theme for 2014 will be announced on Monday and we will blog about it then. In the meantime there is a film here from last year which gives a sense of scale. [Warning: film contains French language – as well as some English]
An odd thing to add to this, but I was wondering if anyone going to Arles this year lives in Lancashire? The reason being I’m after an Arles coffee mug… (and maybe a catalogue, but that would depend on how you’re travelling as they weigh a fair amount).
Rob, you can order a catalogue through the Rencontres Arles website; they are available in English! As for the mug … OK if you like … presumably you want the annual one? There are various designs and sizes as I remember.
Hi Amano – I will check out the website later, I’ll possibly be able to get the mug from there too…
I ordered the catalogue via their website and it came within a week – not sure about mugs!!
I’ve booked my place, see you all there.
One question, I think I will travel by train this year. Could any one who’s travelled by train to Arles confirm the best route please. And roughly how long it it takes to get from London.
I have now booked train london /Lille / Marseille on the 3rd and returning on the 8th. Just need need to figure out how to get to london by 6.00am on the 3rd.
Would it be a good idea to coordinate train times? I will be getting train from Ebbsfleet be great to meet up with fellow travellers!