The Fondation François Schneider recently announced the recipients of its “contemporary talent” prizes. With “water” as this year’s theme, the annual rewards are dedicated to helping seven unknown artists make one of their artistic dreams come true. The completed work would then be exhibited at the Fondation in Wattwilller.

The winners, selected by a jury, will share the 300,000€ prize. The winner of the first prize, named— after François Schneider’s belief that water is essential— the Talent d’eau receives 150,000€. Second place, the Talent d’or, receives 50,000€.

The Talents d’argent are rewarded to five other artists, who receive 20,000€ each. For the first edition of the prize, the jury received 1029 applications from 35 countries, from which they selected the 36 finalists.

Among the finalists were Béatrix von Conta’s project L’eau barrée, which received the Talent d’or. Two French photographers, Sabine Delcour and Claire Cocano, were rewarded Talents d’argent for their entries, as well as the photographic installation by the French artist, François Ronsiaux.

The jury led by Jean-Noël Jeanneney selected the seven 2011 winners. No project concerning the photography was selected.

Yves Chaudouêt (France) won the Talent d’eau (150 000 €) for his installation Les poissons des grandes profondeurs ont pied.

Erik Samakh (France) won the Talent d’or (50 000€) for his installation, Planter des sources ou suite des effets de serre.

The five Talents d’argent were rewarded to: Étienne Clique (France) for his video entitled Flotille; Emilie Brout and Maxime Marion for their film installation Dérives; Bertrand Rigaux for his video installation Les cours des cours; Etienne Fouchet for his sculpture project Stumbling Block II; and Laurent Faulon for his installation project Ondes, Masse critique, Congélateur, Des ronds dans l'eau.

These works will be on display at the Fondation in Fall 2012, and may be sold at public auction in order to increase the artists market value.

A second edition of the prize is planned for 2012.
For more information, contact the Fondation.

Bernard Perrine
Bernard.Perrine1@orange.fr

Fondation François Schneider
27 rue de la Première Armée
68700 Wattwiller
+ 33 (0)3 89 82 10 10