Iris partners with Diffusion to deliver special reception

Arthur Tress was born on November 24, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. His early photographic experiments were deeply influenced by Heinrich Bluecher of Bard College, New York, with whom he studied comparative world culture and philosophy. In 1962 Tress went to Paris to study filmmaking but soon gave it up. Over the next several years he travelled through Europe, Africa, Mexico, India, and Japan. His photography shifted towards ethnographic documentation of the different cultures. In 1967 Tress moved to Sweden where he prepared educational filmstrips for the Stockholm Ethnographical Museum. Here he began in earnest a distinct directorial style of documentation, employing candid situations altered to suit his particular and intuitive imagination. In 1968 he moved back to New York with a commitment to becoming a professional photographer. Jury members, filmmakers and friends of Iris were invited to a drinks reception in the exhibition space, followed by a walk and talk by Ffotogallery director David Drake and a speech by Iris Prize director Berwyn Rowlands. Speaking of the new partnership, Berwyn focused on how much both festivals have in common, saying "as a small country like Wales matures, it looks outwards as well as inwards to nurture creativity. This outlook is something that Iris and Diffusion: Looking for America very much have in common". Diffusion runs until October 31st in various venues across Cardiff. More info at diffusionfestival.org/.