PARIS.- The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is hosting its highly anticipated fourth edition of "Photography at All Costs: A Year of Photographic Awards," running from December 10, 2024, to March 30, 2025, at the François-Mitterrand Site on Allée Julien Cain. This prestigious event underscores the BnF's unwavering commitment to the art of photography, showcasing the talents of France’s finest photographers through a collaboration with Gens d’Images, the Grésigny Foundation, and Picto Foundation.
The exhibition features a curated selection of works from the winners of four major photographic awards: the Niépce Prize, the Nadar Prize, the Talent Grant, and the Camera Clara Prize. These awards play a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary photography landscape, recognizing and nurturing creative excellence across various genres and styles.
Explore treasures from the Bibliotheque nationale de France
Honoring the Best: 2024 Award Winners
Anne-Lise Broyer Takes the Niépce Prize
This year’s Niépce Prize, France’s oldest professional photography award established in 1955, was awarded to Anne-Lise Broyer. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Atelier National de Recherches Typographiques, Broyer has spent over two decades developing a distinctive photographic voice. Her work seamlessly blends reading, writing, and photography, creating evocative visual narratives by drawing directly onto silver gelatin prints. Her innovative approach not only highlights the technical history of photography but also bridges the sensory worlds of vision and touch.
Jean-Michel André’s "Chambre 207" Wins the Nadar Prize
The Nadar Prize, honoring outstanding photographic publications, was awarded to Chambre 207 by Jean-Michel André, published by Éditions Actes Sud. André’s work delves into the political and poetic dimensions of territory, memory, and identity. His latest monograph, Chambre 207, explores the aftermath of childhood trauma through a lens of autofiction, offering a profound meditation on absence, lack, and healing.
Emerging Voices: Talent Grant Laureates
The Talent Grant, established in 1998 to spotlight emerging photographers with unique perspectives, recognized three exceptional artists in 2024:
• Karla Hiraldo Voleau for Doble moral: This Franco-Dominican artist merges photography, writing, and performance to explore themes of identity, gender roles, and political issues. Her project gives voice to Dominican women’s experiences with clandestine abortions through powerful photographic portraits and personal narratives.
• Guillaume Holzer for Territoire nomade: After eight years immersed in nomadic sea communities in Indonesia, Holzer’s work captures the essence of nomadism, freedom, and the intricate bond between humans and the ocean.
• Hassan Kurbanbaev for Untitled (portrait of Uzbekistan) 2018-2021: Based in Tashkent, Kurbanbaev’s photography traverses Uzbekistan’s diverse landscapes and communities, addressing representation and cultural identity within Central Asian contemporary art.
Alexandra Catiere Wins the Camera Clara Prize
The Camera Clara Prize, dedicated to artists who embrace a contemplative and deliberate approach to photography, was awarded to Alexandra Catiere. Born in Minsk and trained by Irving Penn and at the ICP in New York, Catiere now resides in Paris. Her acclaimed series, Le souffle de l’être, exemplifies timelessness through its poetic sensitivity, bridging her experiences from the former Soviet Union to France and the United States.
A Hub for Photographic Innovation
This year's exhibition not only celebrates individual achievements but also highlights the BnF’s role as a guardian of photographic heritage. By acquiring works from prize winners, the BnF ensures that these contemporary creations become part of France’s national patrimony, preserving them for future generations.
Héloïse Conésa, Head of the Photography Department at the BnF, emphasized the importance of these awards in fostering artistic growth. “Supporting these prizes allows us to recognize and nurture the incredible talent within the photography community. It’s a way for the BnF to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and evolution of this dynamic art form.”
Photography enthusiasts and the general public are invited to experience the vibrant and diverse works on display, offering a unique glimpse into the creative minds shaping contemporary photography today. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or new to the art form, "Photography at All Costs" promises to be a compelling celebration of visual storytelling and artistic excellence.
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