BPM — Mulhouse Photography Biennial
Contemporary photography explores terrestrial and mental geographies
About Mulhouse Photography Biennial
L'Agrandisseur: at the origins of an ambitious biennial
The Mulhouse Photography Biennial (BPM) was born in 2013 at the initiative of the association L'Agrandisseur, founded in November 2010 in Mulhouse by Jean-Yves Guénier and Anne Immelé. A photographer and doctor of art, Anne Immelé has been the artistic director of each edition, maintaining a demanding curatorial vision that questions the photographic medium, its transformations, and its uses in contemporary art. A member of the Réseau LUX and Plan d'Est, L'Agrandisseur also organizes residencies, workshops, and meetings between photographers and image professionals.
Six editions, six views of the world
Since its creation, the BPM has presented six thematic editions that have marked the French photographic landscape: Play & Replay (2013), L'autre et le même (2016), Attraction(s) (2018), This is the end (2020), Corps Célestes (2022), and Mondes impossibles (2024). Each biennial invites international photographers to develop projects resonating with the chosen theme, fostering original creations, residencies, and commissions specific to the Mulhouse region.
Sedimentation(s): the 7th edition explores the strata of time
The 7th edition, scheduled from June 5 to July 5, 2026, is titled 'Sedimentation(s)'. This theme invites an exploration of terrestrial and mental geographies through the notions of stratification, matter-flow, and the plasticity of collective and individual memories. It echoes Mulhouse's geographical location, where the Alsatian plain—a seabed 33 million years ago—has deposited thick layers of limestone and marl. Among the exhibiting artists are: Pablo Castilla (Altiplano), François Jonquet (Forage), Ruth Lauer Manenti, Marilia Destot, Manuela Marques, and Jean-Claude Figenwald.
Iconic exhibition venues in Mulhouse
The BPM is distinguished by its multi-site circuit through Mulhouse's most remarkable cultural venues. Exhibitions take place at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, La Filature — Scène nationale, the Bibliothèque Grand'Rue, La KunstTurm (a water tower converted into an art space), Le Séchoir, and Mulhouse Art Contemporain. This dissemination throughout the city invites visitors on an urban photographic journey, creating dialogues between the works and the architectures that host them.
Residencies, meetings, and international openness
Beyond exhibitions, the BPM develops an artist residency program in the Mulhouse region. American photographer Jenia Fridlyand was hosted in residence for the 2026 edition. Meetings with artists, guided tours, and educational workshops complete the program. With its dual mission—to broaden the photographic spectrum internationally and to detect emerging photography—the BPM actively contributes to cross-border exchanges, echoing Mulhouse's position at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Mulhouse Photography Biennial — edition 2026
The 7th edition of the Mulhouse Photography Biennial (BPM) takes place from June 5 to July 5, 2026 around the theme « Sédimentation(s) ». Under the artistic direction of Anne Immelé, the biennial features 12 exhibitions bringing together more than 50 artists in about ten venues in Mulhouse and Freiburg-en-Brisgau (Germany). Opening days on June 5, 6 and 7 with exhibition openings, artist meetings and Photobook Days. Free access to almost all exhibitions.
7th Edition — Sédimentation(s) — from June 5 to July 5, 2026
The 7th edition of the BPM (Mulhouse Photography Biennial) runs from June 5 to July 5, 2026, with extensions until September 20, 2026, at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This edition explores the theme « Sédimentation(s) »: terrestrial and mental geographies, stratifications, matter-flow, and the plasticity of collective and individual memories. The theme draws from Mulhouse's geological situation — 33 million years ago, the Alsace plain was a seabed.
12 exhibitions, over 50 artists, two countries
Under the artistic direction of Anne Immelé, the biennial brings together over 50 artists and students from the Grand Est Higher Art Schools in 12 exhibitions spread across Mulhouse and Freiburg-en-Brisgau (Germany). Exhibition venues include the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Bibliothèque Grand'Rue, the Chapelle Saint-Jean, La Filature, La KunstTurm (Tour de l'Europe), Le Séchoir, the Berges de l'Ill, the Canal du Rhin, as well as the Centre Culturel Français and the Städtische Galerie in Freiburg.
Opening Days and Photobook Days
June 5, 6 and 7, 2026 constitute the opening weekend, with exhibition openings, meetings with artists, guided tours, and Photobook Days (June 6-7): photo book market in partnership with Micamera (Milan), conferences (« The Italian Photobook 2015-2025 »), discussions and signing sessions, notably with Tiago Casanova, Jenia Fridlyand, and Bernard Guillot.
L'Agrandisseur and the cross-border vocation
The festival is organized by L'Agrandisseur, founded in November 2010 by Anne Immelé and Jean-Yves Guénier. The BPM pursues a dual vocation: to promote international cross-border exchanges (German extensions in Freiburg) and to support emerging photography, with artist residencies — this year featuring American photographer Jenia Fridlyand.
Programme Mulhouse Photography Biennial 2026
Friday, June 5, Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Opening Weekend
- Exhibition openings and inaugurations across all venues
- Meetings with artists and guided tours
- Photobook Days (Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2 PM-5 PM at the Musée des Beaux-Arts) — photo book market (in partnership with Micamera Milan: XYZ, Origini Edizioni, Datz Press and other independent publishers), conference « The Italian Photobook 2015-2025 », discussions with Tiago Casanova, Jenia Fridlyand, Bernard Guillot (with Patrick Le Bescont and Ilias Georgiadis), signing sessions
The 12 exhibitions of the 2026 edition
Musée des Beaux-Arts (4 place Guillaume Tell, Mulhouse — 10 AM-1 PM and 2 PM-6 PM, closed on Tuesdays)
- Sédimentation(s) — une constellation (June 5 → September 20, 2026) · Gaëlle Delort, Marilia Destot, Rıfat Göbelez, Bernard Guillot, Pauline Hisbacq, Sangyon Joo, Eugenie Shinkle, Roselyne Titaud and photographs from the Musée Nicéphore Niépce collection · curated by Anne Immelé
- Limits of control (June 5 → September 20, 2026) · Jenia Fridlyand · artist residency in the territory
Bibliothèque Grand'Rue (19 Grand'Rue, Mulhouse — Tue-Fri 10 AM-12 PM / 1:30 PM-6:30 PM, Sat 10 AM-5:30 PM)
- PEP x BPM, Sédimentation(s) (June 5 → July 4, 2026) · 22 photographers selected from an open call
Chapelle Saint-Jean (19B Grand'Rue, Mulhouse — Sat-Sun 2 PM-6 PM)
- Which way the wind blows (June 6 → July 5, 2026) · Tiago Casanova
La Filature (20 allée Nathan Katz, Mulhouse — Tue-Sat 1 PM-6 PM, Sun 2 PM-6 PM)
- Settled (May 16 → July 11, 2026) · Alhaj, Adji Dieye, Douzenel, Gyamfi, Kapwani Kiwanga, Mahashe, Otobong Nkanga, Pongo
La KunstTurm — Tour de l'Europe, 14th floor (Mulhouse — Sat-Sun 2 PM-6 PM)
- Bruissements (June 6 → July 5, 2026) · Bowring, Calvelli, François Jonquet, Lesiv, Malisse, Lundin, Wallard
Hall d'entrée Tour de l'Europe (Mulhouse — free access)
- Am Löwentor (June 5 → July 5, 2026) · Roselyne Titaud
Le Séchoir (25 rue Josué Hofer, La Tuilerie, Mulhouse — Sat-Sun 2 PM-6 PM)
- Si on m'avait dit. Mes vies de photographe (June 6 → July 5, 2026) · Jean-Claude Figenwald
Berges de l'Ill / Quai des Cigognes (Mulhouse — permanent free access)
- Altiplano (June 2025 → July 2026) · Pablo Castilla, winner of the Sédimentation(s) open call
Canal du Rhin et parvis de la gare (Mulhouse — outdoor installation)
- Point Cardinal V (June 5 → July 5, 2026) · students from the Grand Est Higher Art Schools
Cross-border extensions — Freiburg-en-Brisgau (Germany)
- Périmètre de transformations · Manuela Marques · Centre Culturel Français Freiburg, Münsterplatz 11 (May 8 → September 4, 2026)
- Sédiments de mémoire · Eades, Kim, Lulay, Rognean, Seemann · Städtische Galerie Freiburg, Morat-Hallen, Lörracher Str. 31 (May 22 → July 5, 2026)
All exhibitions are free (except for paid entry to the Musée des Beaux-Arts). Visits outside opening hours by appointment for certain venues.
Highlights Mulhouse Photography Biennial 2026
- 7th edition of the BPM — theme « Sédimentation(s) »
- 12 exhibitions, over 50 artists, in Mulhouse and Freiburg-en-Brisgau
- Artistic direction by Anne Immelé (L'Agrandisseur)
- Residency of Jenia Fridlyand (Limits of control at the Musée des Beaux-Arts)
- Altiplano by Pablo Castilla, winner of the Sédimentation(s) open call
- Photobook Days (June 6-7) in partnership with Micamera Milan
- Flagship exhibition « Sédimentation(s) — une constellation » at the Musée des Beaux-Arts (until September 20, 2026)
- Cross-border extensions in Freiburg-en-Brisgau (Germany)
- Conference « The Italian Photobook 2015-2025 »
- Free access to almost all exhibitions
Prices Mulhouse Photography Biennial 2026
Practical information — Mulhouse Photography Biennial
Practical Information
Access
By tram: Lines 1, 2, and 3, with stops varying depending on the exhibition venues. Mulhouse city center is served by the Porte Jeune and République stops.
By train: Mulhouse station (TGV from Paris in 2h40, TER from Strasbourg in 1h10, from Basel in 25 min).
By car: A36 exit Mulhouse Centre. Paid parking in the city center.
Exhibition venues
- Musée des Beaux-Arts — 4 place Guillaume Tell, 68100 Mulhouse
- La Filature — Scène nationale — 20 allée Nathan Katz
- Bibliothèque Grand'Rue
- La KunstTurm
- Le Séchoir
- Mulhouse Art Contemporain
Dates
From June 5 to July 5, 2026. Opening and vernissage on June 5, 6, and 7, 2026.
Prices
Free access for most exhibition venues. Museum entrance fee applies for the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Contact
Association L'Agrandisseur
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.biennale-photo-mulhouse.com
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Where does it take place — Mulhouse Photography Biennial
Musée des Beaux-Arts et lieux multiples à Mulhouse
4 place Guillaume Tell, 68100 Mulhouse