Not Knowing – Photography and the Unknown

What don’t we know? And can’t the diverse answers to this fundamental human question bring us much closer to an understanding of the nature of photography and the world in general? Do we know only what we can see and prove (photographically)? From October 22 to 25, 2026, the Internationale Photoszene Köln will bring together experts and thought leaders from academia, the arts, theory, and practice. Together, they will examine the medium of photography and its role as a source of information and a mediator of the world from the perspective of not knowing.

Over 30 speakers from academia, the arts, theory, and practice will shape the four-day program. In the thematic blocks PERCEPTION, PRACTICES, TRACES, and POTENTIALS, you can look forward to keynotes, lectures, dialogues, performances, and roundtable discussions. Four workshops invite you to engage more deeply with critical archival work, photographic canons, vernacular photography, and speculative design. Registration for the workshops is available on-site; space is limited. The program is complemented by the movement format “Moving the (Un)known,” an exhibition, the photobook quartet, a pop-up bookstore, a community dinner, a party, and two guided tours on Sunday. Separate tickets are required for the city tours (free of charge).

More infohere.

We aim to organize a conference that as many people as possible can attend. The venues are accessible, and we also offer childcare during the conference. After you purchase your ticket, we’ll ask about your individual needs and accessibility requirements so we can accommodate them as best as possible.