New Images of Aging – Winners selected
Gerhard Weber, freelance photographer from Grimma, wins the photography contest „New Images of Aging“ under the auspices of the Federal Minister for Education and Research Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan. Weber prevailed with his photograph of Ursula and Siegfried M. , which takes up one of the tabu subjects of aging - the joy of sexuality and physicality.
1. Preis
Gerhard Weber, Ursula und Siegfried M., 2009
The competition has emerged from the academy's recommendation "Aging in Germany", which has been handed over to the Federal President in 2009. The German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, had called for the competition and asked to show in "New Images of Aging", the life plans and prospects of aging today and tomorrow. The increasing life expectancy, better health and activity as well as the increasing proportion of older people in the population are in the focus of the community and its photographers. On 12 April 2010 from more than 400 entries, the jury selected nearly 80 photos to be shown in September in a traveling exhibition (opening on 6 September 2010 in Braunschweig, Haus der Wissenschaft). The jury has awarded the first three places and also selected two photos for special mention.
2. Preis
Anna Mutter, Gerlind Pusch, 2009 aus der Serie „Abendrot“
In first place - worth 500 € - Gerhard Weber won with his image of "Ursula and Siegfried M.", taken in 2009. In this work, Weber, a freelance photographer from Grimma, had asked people from his area to provide insight into their private lives in a familiar atmosphere. He succeeded with this photograph in recording one of the great taboos of aging - sexuality - in a prominent artistic way which presents the depicted couple sympathetically, authentically, and without bias. The couple is committed to a happy relationship with age, explaining the joy in the physicality of the other has become an important component.
The jury voted for Anna Mutter’s photo "Gerlind Pusch", 2009, from the series "sunset" as the winner of the second place, along with a cash prize of 300€. Anna Mutter is a freelance photographer from Hamburg. The clown depicted belongs to a group of nine performers from 50 to 77 years who switched from quite different careers to the professional comedians compartment. They met at a clown course and have since gone on tour together. Without knowing this background, the image allows the viewers to make themselves think about the image of old people in society. The clown mask hides the "true age", in the same way as often clothing, environment, or public behavior could lead one astray, if one were to estimate someone's age.
3. Preis
David Lohmüller, Strike - Seniorenbowling mit Nintendo Wii, 2009
3. Preis
Daniela Risch, Ohne Titel, aus der Serie „Helga“, 2008
Third place was shared by Daniela Risch with "untitled", 2008 from the series "Helga", and David Lohmüller with "Strike with Nintendo Wii", 2009. They will receive € 200 each. Daniela Risch is an artist living in Essen and Berlin whose picture deals with identity in the course of life, in this case on the basis of the circumstances of her mother. David Lohmüller took the photo of the player in the Martha-Maria Seniors’ Center in Stuttgart. It uses the latest generation of video games, which is also popular among many older people, and animated movement with positive effects on physical fitness.
Anerkennung
Paul Loges, Frühling im Herzen, 2009
Anerkennung
Ute Görnandt, Der Weg ans Licht, 2/09
The jury praised the work of the oldest participant at 72 years, Ute Görnandt, and one of the youngest photographers, the 16-year-old student Paul Loges. He had participated along with four other members of the photography club of his high school Klotzsche in Dresden.
Jury
Dr. Andreas Krase, curator for photography and cinematography, Technische Sammlungen Dresden, Museen der Stadt Dresden
Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Lukas, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Christian Schwägerl, Journalist, Der Spiegel
Dr. Johannes Stahl, Köln, Visiting Professor of History of Art, Burg Giebichenstein, Halle
Prof. Dr. Ursula M. Staudinger, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Vice Speaker of the Academies’ Initiative "Aging in Germany"
Exhibition
Vernissage of the Travelling Exhibition in Braunschweig
6. September 2010 – 19 hrs.
Haus der Wissenschaft
Pockelsstraße 11
Contact
Sabine Aichele-Elsner
Künstlerische Koordination und Kuratorin
Tel.: 0341-355 20 466
Dr. Katja Patzwaldt
Akademiengruppe Altern in Deutschland
Tel. 0421-200 4709