BERLIN.- This September, the Preis der Nationalgalerie für junge Kunst, which ranks among the most highly endowed art prizes, is awarded for the fifth time. On October 29, 2008, a first jury nominated for this award four artists, all of whom are living and working in Germany: the two filmmakers Keren Cytter (born in Tel Aviv) and Omer Fast (born in Jerusalem), the photographer Annette Kelm (born in Stuttgart) and the object artist Danh Vo (born in Vietnam).

The nominees are altogether no longer completely unknown. They have already presented their works in art associations, art galleries and at international biennial art festivals. All four artists are, however, still largely unknown to the general public.

From September, the four artists will compete against each other in the Hamburger Bahnhof museum – each of them with new works in a mutual exhibition, which invites for a direct comparison: Which work, which concept, whose aesthetics are the most convincing? All media ranging from photography to video and film to installation may be used. The most important thing is the effect alone and the quality of the respective entry. The most convincing work will win in the end. On September 22, the decision about this will be made by a second jury which will elect the new award-winner for 2009.

The four nominated artists have produced new works for the exhibition in the Hamburger Bahnhof:

Keren Cytter has made three new films, for which she also wrote the scripts and selected the actors and which she directed and filmed herself. Similarly, this applies to Omer Fast, who, as his entry for the 2009 award, has contributed a trilogy which was predominantly produced in London and consists of opulently furnished and staged scenes. Annette Kelm, whose photography is characterised by an extreme succinctness, is presenting a number of very diverse new subjects in the exhibition, including several series of works. Danh Vo, on the other hand, had a critical look at the history of his homeland, Vietnam, and had objects as well as plants transported to Berlin, all of which share an immediate relationship with this country and its varied history.

This year, the prize of the public, which has been awarded since 2005, will be presented for the first time by the art magazine, art. During the time of the exhibition, the interested public may choose its favourite among the four artists for this special distinction. The awarding ceremony for the prize of the public will take place on December 15, 2009, in the Hamburger Bahnhof.