BERLIN.- Two emerging photographers, Lasse Müller and Konrad Friedländer, have been awarded the prestigious IBB Photography Prize, and their work is now on display at the Kommunale Galerie Berlin until March 30, 2025. The exhibition, which opened on January 18th, showcases the diverse and innovative approaches to photography that impressed the jury.

The IBB Photography Prize, a joint initiative of the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and the Freundeskreis der UdK Berlin | Karl Hofer Gesellschaft, aims to support talented young artists and document the evolution of contemporary photography. This year, 15 artists from various disciplines at the Universität der Künste (UdK) Berlin competed for the award, demonstrating a wide range of themes and techniques.

After careful deliberation, the jury—comprising Elke von der Lieth, Angelika Platen, and Andrzej Steinbach—selected Lasse Müller as the main prize winner. Müller, a student in Manfred Pernice's class, captivated the judges with his unique approach to photographic reconstruction. His work includes photographic re-imaginings of historical family photos, as well as conceptually driven, three-dimensional "photography structures."

Konrad Friedländer, from Christine Streuli’s class, received the recognition award for his large-format photographs that explore the relationship between art and its audience. His work is characterized by the absence of traditional perspective, offering a fresh and thought-provoking viewing experience.

"The positions of both award winners deal with the medium of photography in a subtle and very different way," the organizers stated. "Both prize winners have very impressively succeeded in unfolding the great power of the medium of photography in their positions. These are photographic works that enable the viewer to actively engage with art."

The award ceremony, where selections of the winning works were first shown, took place on December 17, 2024, at the Investitionsbank Berlin. The exhibition at the Kommunale Galerie Berlin offers a broader look at their work.

The IBB Photography Prize, which has been awarded since 2007, now comes with a €10,000 prize. It’s open to UdK Berlin students and recent graduates (within five years of graduation). The collaboration with the Karl Hofer Gesellschaft and the Universität der Künste Berlin, and now also with the Kommunale Galerie Berlin, underscores the significance of photography within contemporary art. Organizers emphasized that photography is uniquely positioned to illustrate the interplay between technology and artistic expression.

Visitors can attend an exhibition tour with the artists on Wednesday, February 19th, at 6 PM, and a finissage event on Sunday, March 30th, from 3 to 5 PM. The exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to discover the work of these promising young artists and engage with the dynamic world of contemporary photography.