MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas - III Edition of The Portfolio Parade

• MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas

• Deadline: January 15th, 2026

• Category: Contemporary Photography

• Prize: Exhibition in Milan + Publication + Residency

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLOSED. Click HERE for more Opportunities

The MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas 2026 welcomes back Erik Kessels, the celebrated Dutch artist, curator, and master of visual storytelling, for his third consecutive collaboration with the fair. Known for his irreverent humor, conceptual brilliance, and passion for photographic experimentation, Kessels brings a fresh program designed to champion the new generation of image-makers shaping the future of photography.

This year’s initiative begins with an international open call, inviting submissions from photographers across continents. Kessels will personally review and select a vibrant, diverse range of portfolios — from conceptual projects to documentary narratives, from the deeply personal to the boldly experimental. The goal: to uncover unseen perspectives and celebrate the boundless creativity that defines photography today.

These works will come together in a dynamic installation crafted in Kessels’ signature style — one that challenges expectations and redefines how we encounter photographs. Rather than static walls, visitors can expect a living, breathing experience where images interact with each other and with the space itself, sparking new conversations about the act of seeing.

Titled THE PORTFOLIO PARADE, this project highlights the essential relationship between artists, collectors, and the art market, urging audiences to reconsider how new ideas find their place within the broader system of photographic exchange.

The installation will be presented at SUPERSTUDIOPIÙ, via Tortona 27, Milan, from March 19 to 22, 2026, as part of the MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas. All selected portfolios will be given equal exposure, ensuring that each participating artist stands on the same stage — a collective parade of contemporary vision and photographic innovation.