February 28, 2009
The Magnum Expression Award
Martin Fuchs
Iceland. 2007. In Borgarfjordur Eystri, young people gathering on a Saturday night. This town of approximately 150 people is a good example of an isolated East Iceland community, with only one access road. The town faces a decline in fishing and farming, the traditional ways to make a living. Many youths leave for other towns to get jobs. Unless more opportunities are brought to the vulnerable community, in a few decades it will essentially become a summer home community with few year-round residents. © Jonas Bendiksen/Magnum Photos
It clearly is award time at the moment. After announcing Burn Magazine's grant within the last two weeks, here is yet another one:
The Magnum Expression Photography Award was established by Magnum Photos and HP with the goal of raising awareness and inspiring change through campaigns using photography as an expressive medium. Its mission is to discover and illuminate compelling documentary photography employed in innovative ways to affect social awareness and propel humanitarian compassion.
The inaugural theme for the award is Communities.
A sense of community is at the core of our lives, in some cases it unites us and in others it divides us from one another. This universal force is omnipresent in humankind and our diverse forms of expression, from acts of benevolence and kindness to movements of oppression and isolation. Each manifestation of human action has its causes and effects, its beneficiaries or victims. These impulses and actions are shaped by our individual identities and reflect our collective spirit. The judges urge participants to embrace the theme of communities and consider the expansive nature of how it pervades our lives and affects our perceptions. Participants' submissions may be for a completed project or one that is ongoing.
Criteria for Evaluation
» Excellence & inventiveness in building a photographic narrative.
» Singularity of vision and compassion for the subjects.
» Ability to produce a thought-provoking visual presentation.
The Jury and Awards
A panel of four Magnum photographers (Alec Soth, Jonas Bendiksen, Paolo Pellegrin and Susan Meiselas) and one HP large format printing representative will select 20 finalists. One chosen winner will receive a $10,000 grant to support the continuation of his/her work, HP’s large format Designjet Z3200 for fine art printing, archival pigment inks, fine art paper and additional prizes from contributing partners Blurb & PhotoShelter.
Two honorable mentions and the remaining 17 finalists will also receive awards to support & encourage their photographic work. Participation is at no cost and photographers worldwide are encouraged to submit.
Timeline for Submissions
» March 16th - Gallery submissions open
» May 31st - Final submission acceptance
» June 2009 - Jury review and award recipient selection
The full guidelines and submission details will soon be published on The Magnum Expression Photography Award website.
Published on the Magnum Blog on February 28, 2009
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