European Prize of Architectural Photography 2009

Transcription

1 » New Homeland«Stephan Sahm, 2008 European Prize of Architectural Photography 2009 Neue Heimat New Homeland 25 April Juni 2009, Ground floor Gallery Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt am Main An exhibition in cooperation with architekturbild e.v. Marquardtstrasse 33, Stuttgart, Germany, Award Ceremony & Opening: Friday, 24 April 2009, Deutsches Architekturmuseum Schaumainkai Frankfurt Open Tue, Thu - Sun , Wed

2 Press Notification Frankfurt am Main, 23 April 2009 European Prize of Architectural Photography 2009 In 2009, Munich-based photographer Stephan Sahm will receive the European Prize of Architectural Photography which comes with prize money of 6,000. Jacky Longstaff (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Timothy Griffith (San Francisco) will each be rewarded with a second prize of equal value. This year s European Prize of Architectural Photography ran under the theme of Neue Heimat New Homeland. Out of 233 contributions from 16 different countries, the jury chaired by Hans-Michael Koetzle, publicist and chief editor of Leica World until 2007, honored Stephan Sahm s four-part photo series with the first prize. In his jazzy looking quartet of images Sahms focuses on hamster cages. He captures the complex theme of the competition in the extremely artificial and unnatural new plastic homeland the pets live in with profundity and wit. Two equal second prizes were bestowed. Jacky Longstaff presents the scenario of a newly emerging housing estate in Newcastle. Set in a romantic and misty environment, mercilessly realistic motifs revolve around the theme, creating an oppressive atmosphere within the image. In Timothy Griffith s work it is again the animal world that provides the key to the theme. The viewer sees hyper-realistic scenery of familiar animal types irritatingly portrayed as grandly convincing performers placed within an artificial, painted and photographed New Homeland living environment. The accompanying catalogue, published by avedition (Ludwigsburg), in german and english with 150 colored images will be available for EUR

3 The European Prize of Architectural Photography was first awarded in Since then, it has been held every two years. In connection with this the 28 best series of photographs are documented in a lavish catalogue and shown at an international traveling exhibition. Because of the cultural significance of the prize it was suggested that it should be handled by a non-profit organization. On the initiative of Wilfried Dechau, Hans-Eberhard Hess and Prof. Dr. Rolf Sachsse architekturbild e.v. an association for the promotion of artistic/photographic treatment of our building environment was established in 2003 and based in Stuttgart. The association now boasts more than 100 members. The European Prize of Architectural Photography has been offered and awarded in cooperation with Deutsches Architekturmuseum since For the first time the award ceremony and exhibition of the 28 best competition entries will take place in Deutsches Architekturmuseum. The Jury In order to bolster the price s unique profile, its jury, which is different for every year, consists of representatives of the following sectors: architecture, photography, print media, the exhibition business. This guarantees that the assessment criteria do not focus on a specific professional group but that the prize is committed to general social relevance. The 2009 jury: Hans-Michael Koetzle, publicist, editor-in-chief of Leica World until 2007, Munich (chairman); Herbert Böttcher, photographer, Düsseldorf; Peter Cachola Schmal, Director of Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt; Andreas Hild, Hild and K Architects, Munich; Prof. Dr. Rolf Sachsse, Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar, Saarbrücken, and secretary of architekturbild e.v. until The Archive After conducting eight competitions, including the current one, the European Prize of Architectural Photography Archive has grown to nearly 900 photographs taken by 3

4 some 200 different photographers. The inventory reflects the competition s growing number of international participants. The impressive alphabetical list of prizewinners starts with Taco Anema from Amsterdam and ends with Berlin-based photographer Gerhard Zwickert. Until 2008 this photograph collection was managed by Wilfried Dechau, architekturbild e.v., Stuttgart. After signing the cooperation agreement between architekturbild e.v. and Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt am Main the European Prize of Architectural Photography Archive was handed over to the museum. Prizes 1 st Prize: Stephan Sahm, Germany My cage is my castle there are 6.6 million small animals living in German households. At first glance the abundance of running wheels, see-saws and swings piled up in specialist shops brings a smile to one s face. Changing perspective, however, one recognizes the intrinsic absurdity and inanity of such scant living space. The materials used are cheap, shapes and colors frequently have nothing in common with the animal s natural surroundings, far more with that of the owner. It is not the animal but its abode that seems to have to compete for attention. The setting is victorious over the four-legged creature. Roads lead from shopping malls, trading estates, and amusement parks, not from cages. S. S. Born in 1971 in Künzelsau Modern Video, Stuttgart, camera assistant Fachakademie für Fotodesign, Munich, studied Photographic Design assistant to various photographers including Hans Deumling and Christoph Altmann. Since 1998: has been living in Munich, where he works as a selfemployed photographer. mail@stephansahm.de; 4

5 2 nd Prize: Timothy Griffith, USA These four images are taken from a series produced during the renovation and expansion of the California Academy of Sciences Africa Hall exhibit in San Francisco. Dating from the 1930 s, the original dioramas, were completely rebuilt while the animals were restored at a nearby taxidermist. Upon returning to their respective habitats, my feeling was that the animals themselves bore the expressions of shock and bewilderment at the changes taking place around them. Conveying a resigned acceptance of the unusual and extended life that lay ahead of them. T. G. Born in Melbourne. Has been photographing architecture for over twenty years. Numerous publications and awards. IPA Architectural Photographer of the Year for the third year running at the International Photography Awards announced in New York in October Commercial / Industrial Photographer of the Year for the eleventh time at the 2007 Australian Professional Photography Awards. Lives and works between Melbourne, San Francisco and Singapore tim@timgriffith.com; 2 nd Prize: Jacky Longstaff, Great Britain Room, Newcastle s Town Moor The photographs submitted for architekturbuild 2009 are part of a broader body of work produced over a number of years. The selected ones work metaphorically for the theme of New Homeland. The Town Moor is a large area of open land situated in Newcastle upon Tyne, it stretches from the city centre and is a broad, unbuilt expanse of grassland. It s crossed by a system of public footpaths and is comparable in size to Hyde Park in London. The photographs show a space in a continuous state of flux across changing seasons, atmospheric conditions, annual events and activities. J. L born in Northumberland studies in Photography at the Newcastle College and the University of Derby Assistant Photographer under Colin 5

6 Cuthbert. Since 1992 Course Leader for Photography at the Newcastle College. Numerous exhibitions and publications. Lives in Newcastle upon Tyne. Commendations Sabine Freudenberger and Waldemar Bachmeier, Germany A new home for exotic creatures the architecture of the zoo buildings emerged from garden and landscape architecture and is constantly changing. In addition to buildings that are of architectural interest thee is unfortunately also a whole series of distasteful functional buildings. Frequently the contrast with the animals original habitat could hardly be greater. Their new home a life behind bars and bullet-proof glass? The way animals are kept in zoos today is a balancing act between species protection, education, and entertainment. The species-appropriate keeping of animals is frequently in conflict with visitors interests. If we really want to give exotic creatures a new home, architecture still has a lot to do. S. F. and W. B. Sabine Freudenberger Born in 1969 in Nürnberg trained as an advertising photographer Akademie für Photographie in Hamburg Commendation, Reinhart Wolf Prize, Hamburg. Lives in Nürnberg. mail@sabinefreudenberger.de; Waldemar Bachmeier Born in 1956 in Höchstadt an der Aisch Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Nürnberg, master student of Prof. Stefan Eusemann working scholarship from the Free State of Bavaria and from the Region Midi-Pyrenees. Lives in Nürnberg. mail@waldemar-bachmeier.de; Kai-Uwe Gundlach, Germany Concrete Jungle Concrete increasingly shapes our lives. It is the building material used worldwide. The images express how cities grow and nature only plays second 6

7 fiddle. The colors link the images, although they were taken at quite different times and in quite different places world-wide. Concrete Jungle is the photographic summary of real (residential) worlds. It shows everyday madness. It documents in a matter of fact way both misery and fascination. K.-U. G. Born in Oldenburg in Trained in photography and then worked as an assistant to various photographers. Until 1996, co-owner of a fine-arts b&w lab in Hamburg. Has worked since 1994 for numerous agencies and magazines. Countless awards. Lives in Hamburg. info@studiogundlach.de; Frank Meyl, Germany The set of photos features a housing development in Scotland. For years now on my travels round the world I have been following the development and impact of globalization photographically. Even in the most remote, most beautiful parts of the world one encounters estates where all the houses are exactly the same, along the lines of unity instead of diversity. I attempted to portray this monotony by always using the same photographic technique and light and merely changing the angle. F. M. Born in 1965 in Cologne. Graduated from Düsseldorf University of Applied Science with a degree in Interior Design. CDG scholarship, worked for Eric Owen Moss Architects in Los Angeles. Since 2000: freelance work as a photo designer, member of the Bund Freischaffender Fotodesigner (BFF) (Association of freelance photo designers) and the Association of Photographers (AOP). Works worldwide for international clients and advertising agencies. Numerous international prizes and exhibitions. Lives in Hamburg ad Los Angeles. frank@meyl.de; Szymon Necki, Poland Odyssee sima10@wp.pl; 7

8 For advance notice purposes and for the duration of the exhibition press photos approved for printing can be downloaded from our website Press contact Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit Deutsches Architekturmuseum Schaumainkai 43 D Frankfurt/ Main Paul Andreas M.A. Tel. +49 (0) Fax +49 (0) Stefanie Lampe B.A. Tel. +49 (0) Fax +49 (0)