JURORS:

Greg Hobson, Curator of Photographs, National Media Museum

Paul Moakley, Deputy Photo Editor, TIME Magazine

Christopher Steighner, Senior Editor, Rizzoli Publications

Juror Statement

First Place:

Anastasia Taylor - Lind

Jurors' Choice:

Honorable Mention:

PROJECT COMPETITION : Jurors' Statement

JURORS GREG HOBSON, Curator of Photographs, National Media Museum; PAUL MOAKLEY, Deputy Photo Editor, TIME Magazine; CHRISTOPHER STEIGHNER, Senior Editor, Rizzoli Publications

In the initial phase of our process we were faced with more than 700 diverse and interesting projects from all around the world - a daunting but ultimately very inspiring task. As a whole, the competition revealed a fascinating picture of what are the main concerns of our photographers today, what are the subjects valued for examination.

As we moved along, certain recurring themes emerged. Among them were some of today's most pressing: the aftermath of war and natural disasters in places such as Libya and Fukushima, humans' effect on the landscape, and migration forced by economic reasons. It was remarkable that though many projects reflected on the economic downturn that has touched so much of the world in recent years, there was still a humane and ultimately hopeful aspect that rose up through many of them. We saw many fresh and exciting bodies of work that revived well-trod themes by placing them in a new conceptual framework. With stunning results, quite a few artists worked within the home environment - some particularly focusing on how a family copes with illness within its midst. There were many entries that looked at areas that have long been in the midst of transition - especially the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East - but taking an innovative approach so that we might understand in a new way. It seems that almost suddenly many fewer people are concerned with the shift from film to digital, although there were a few artists who made use of historical techniques in order to reposition a subject. There was a noticeable lack of work done in the studio and seemed to be a move towards the outdoors or environmental settings. The majority of entries appeared to be documentary in some way, and those that rose to the top were naturally the ones that told stories in fresh, new ways. A number of projects used experimental processes but in most cases meaningful subject matter trumped pure aesthetic exercises in the end.

The works that reached the final rounds of the contest were distinguished by vision of integrity and consistency. The acknowledged projects as a group reflected the overall diversity that ran throughout all the entries. This group represents a veritable crossroads: Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. But despite where the work was made or the nationality of the photographer, what made for a winning project was that it explored universal themes. They had an international scope in some way and hit on issues that affect us all.

On the whole, we learned so much from this experience - a crash course in what's occupying people's minds today as well as in current developments of photographic practice.

WINNER'S GALLERIES:

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

 

Juror's Choice: Stijn & Marie

Artist Statement: shirley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The neverending story of Shirley Kurata 2005-2011

This project plays with the perception of reality and fiction, documentation and imagination.

Starting point of "the neverending story of Shirley Kurata" is the life of Shirley Kurata. The series consist sofar of 45 images, composed carefully over the last 6 years. Stijn&Marie will continue this document,and every 5 years they want to create a book.

Stijn&Marie met Shirley at a party and were immediately intrigued by her. Her appearance, her style, and her individuality. She is a real person and yet you can think she just walked out of a filmset, or out of a painting.

We decided to follow her. The pictures we compose are a combination of ingredients of her real life, the right light, and a spark of coincidence. We started in her house, and the street were she lives, but also she took us to Manzanar, north of Los Angeles, a internment camp used during World War ll for Americans of Japanese ancestry. We invited her to the Netherlands where we prepared for her, her perfect roadtrip. Last year we met in Paris to continue the series.

Playing with reality and documentation of it, fiction,, ingredients of film and fashion photography we create a story that will raise more questions then will give answers. This portrait of Shirley does not only represent her, but also a story that the viewer can approach in its own way.