above image from “a shimmer of possibility” by Paul Graham (steidlMACK 2004-2006)
The Photographers Gallery in London has announced the four shortlisted artists in the running for the 2009 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. I have been following this photography award since I first learned of it while I was living in London and attending University of Westminster. The first time I learned about the Photography prize was in 2000 when the winner was Anna Gaskell. The following year I finally made it to the exhibition when i snuck into the ticket opening. That year the nominees were Roni Horn, Hellen van Meene, Boris Mikhailov, Jem Southham and hanna Starkey. Looks like this year's big winner is the prestigious german photography publishersteidl with three of the four artists selected published from there.
The Prize was founded by Citibank Private Bank in 1996 to reward the individual judged to have made the most significant contribution to the medium of photography over the previous year. Deutsche Börse has sponsored the £30,000 prize since 2005.
In its five year history, The Photography Prize has consistently recognised a high calibre of winners: Walid Raad /The Atlas Group, Lebanon (2007), Robert Adams, USA (2006), Luc Delahaye, France (2005), Joel Sternfeld, USA (2004), Juergen Teller, Germany (2003), Shirana Shahbazi, Iran (2002), Boris Mikhailov, Ukraine (2001), Anna Gaskell USA (2000), Rineke Dijkstra, The Netherlands (1999), Andreas Gursky, Germany (1998) and Richard Billingham, UK (1997).
Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2009
This annual award of £30,000 rewards a living photographer, of any nationality, who has made the most significant contribution to the medium of photography in Europe between 1 October 2007 and 30 September 2008.
The four shortlisted artists for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2009 are:
Paul Graham (b. 1956, UK) is nominated for his publication, “A Shimmer of Possibility” (steidlMACK, October 2007).
Emily Jacir (b.1970, Palestine) is nominated for her installation, “Material for a Film,” presented at the 2007 Venice Biennale (7 June – 21 November 2007).
Tod Papageorge (wiki) (b.1940, USA) is nominated for the exhibition “Passing Through Eden - Photographs of Central Park” at Michael Hoppen Gallery, London (7 March - 12 April 2008).
Taryn Simon (b.1975, USA) is nominated for her exhibition “An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar” at The Photographers' Gallery, London (13 September -11 November 2007).
The Jury this year is: David Campany (writer/lecturer, University of Westminster, UK); David Goldblatt (photographer, South Africa); Chus Martínez (Chief Curator, Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Spain); and Anne-Marie Beckmann (Curator, Art Collection Deutsche Börse, Germany). The Director of The Photographers’ Gallery, Brett Rogers is the non-voting Chair
Paul Graham's book “A Shimmer of Possibility” although very expensive is still available at Amazon. Sadly, way out of my price range. Anyone know if the Library has a copy?
Taryn Simon's book “An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar” is in its second printing. I bought a copy of this book when Taryn Simon spoke at Aperture a few years ago and its a book I find i keep going back to for inspiration and intrigue.
Tod Papageorge's book “Passing Through Eden - Photographs of Central Park” is available from Amazon. Although, I haven't purchased this book yet I must say I really enjoy looking at the old Central Park, the Central Park from my childhood.
The Photography Prize consistently points out new photographers that I haven't learned about. Although this year I was familiar with everyone who was nominated I'm sure they will continually surprise me. And hopefully, one day they'll give me 30,000 pounds!
Sarah Palmer, Smog, South Mountain, 2008 E1DA