FOTOFEST2006 is the eleventh International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art in Houston, Texas. In 2006, there are two themes. The Earth and Artists Responding to Violence. They are independent and inter-connected.

The capacity of human society to inflict violence upon itself and the earth is expanding with the ever increasing spread of technology and population. The physical and mythic force of earth presents itself in art in many guises. FotoFest 2006 is presenting work that engages The Earth metaphorically and figuratively.The art encompasses mixed-media work, classical photography, video and film. It addresses both human and non-human life in broad existential ways as well as issues of land use and geophysical history.

Human-created violence, from war to the household, is omni-present and ubiquitous. It is not only threatening the existence of earth but is transforming the nature of political society. In exploring this theme, FotoFest is not focusing on the depiction of violent acts but rather on how creative artists interpret these acts of violence, the human capacity for violence, and the presence of violence in many aspects of life.

FotoFest is a Platform for Art and Ideas - an avenue for art and artists to be engaged publicly with important social, political, environmental, and cultural issues.

The inseparability of art and life is central to FotoFest.

The Biennial Exhibitions and Art Installations, the Film and Video programs, Lectures and Forums created and presented by FotoFest are the centerpiece of the platform for FOTOFEST2006.