The Prix Leica Oskar Barnack 2012 was awarded to the American photographer Frank Hallam Day for his “Alumascapes”. The jury was composed of Bruce Gilden (Magnum), Stephan Erfurt (C/O Berlin), Valérie Fougeirol (Galerie Magnum-Paris), Karin Rehn-Kaufmann (Leica Salzburg), and Brigitte Schaller (Artistic Director of the magazine Leica Fotografie International).

Throughout his career as a photographer, Frank Hallam Day has concerned himself with many different aspects of the medium. Following numerous projects with a focus on political issues, his work has now increasingly turned towards exploring the relationships between man and the environment. For this, he shoots predominantly at night to reveal a suggestive and ambiguous side of the world. The latest example of this is illustrated by his winning portfolio ‘Alumascapes’. This photographic project shows the results of a month-long journey through Florida. In his images, Frank Hallam Day depicts the phenomenon of man and his environment in a unique manner and makes recreational vehicles (RV’s) – ultra-modern, high-tech and luxury homes on wheels – the brightly lit and dazzling stars of his pictures. They seem to be inextricably entwined in the jungle landscapes of Florida at night and appear as essential islands of security in a dark and hostile environment. They protect their owners with a feeling of safety and comfort in the lap of luxury. Of course, this form of escape no longer has much to do with the love of nature, relinquishing everyday luxuries or winding down. Frank Hallam Day’s images reveal that the relationship between man and the environment is more ambiguous than ever before.

The winner will receive a grant of € 5000 and a Leica M9-P, valued at € 10,000. The same jury awarded the Prix Leica Oskar Barnack “Newcomer” prize to the Polish photographer Piotr Zbierski and his series “Pass by me”, more than five years in the making. He will receive a Leica M9-P. These two prizes will be handed out on July 3 during the Recontres d’Arles photo festival.

This year the jury received a record 2800 submissions. Most come from Germany, China and the United States, but France and Russia are also represented.

Bernard P. PERRINE
Bernard.Perrine1@orange.fr

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