The ShowOFF Section 2016 results

On Saturday, January 23, the Jury of the ShowOFF Section of the Krakow Photomonth 2016 held their deliberations at the seat of the Foundation for Visual Arts. Traditionally, the decision was not easy, given that this year broke a record in terms of the quality and number of submissions (750!). After 10 hours of stormy discussions the Jury, composed of Kuba Bąkowski, Simon Karlstetter, Lidia Popiel, Agnieszka Rayss, and Honza Zamojski, selected 8 winning projects. We would like to thank all the applicants for their submissions, and to congratulate the winners.

Below is the list of winners, with the reasons provided by the curators.

Kuba Bąkowski:

Katarzyna Hoffmann Musica Mundana

The project invokes the ancient and medieval concept of the Harmony of the Spheres as a mathematical formula defining the movement of celestial bodies. It combines photography, film, and sound in an intriguing way that creates sound and vision narrative.

Justyna Wierzchowiecka Museum Studies

The project explores the idea of a traditional collection and museum as an institution in the context of the free flow of images, artifacts, and history on the Internet. The Jury appreciated the lack of restraint in the studies and their procedural nature.

Simon Karlstetter:

Martin Errichiello & Filippo Menichetti In Fourth Person

I chose the project by Martin and Filippo due to several reasons: The images are very well executed and composed, which makes them stand on their own. They already create sceneries and evoke feelings without being explanatory. The documentary approach mixed with a very personal attachment of the photographers creates a bigger picture that I really am looking forward to diving into. Considering the fact that the research of the project is still ongoing plus the form for the exhibition is not yet fully fixed I see a lot of potential of showing the different aspects and chapters of the project. I’m also curious to see how the photographers work as a team.

Constantin Schlachter Paraboles

I’ve been following the work of Constantin for quite a while now and his approach of expressing his inner feelings through photography deeply resonates with me. His “mental landscapes” work very well. Using sometimes a quite strong symbolism in his images, combined with very abstract motives, makes the images something I want to look at over and over again. I’m switching between the surface of the image and its content, thinking about very basic subjects like motherhood and spirituality. I’m also curious to experience working with him on the exhibition and maybe develop together a different approach towards showing his imagery.

Lidia Popiel:

Krzysztof Racoń Disappearing Lakes

Lakesis a mature and well thought-out long-term project. The artist has noticed a thin line of connection to the past—with no historical references, no pathos, no anniversaries. The passing of time affects everyone and everything, and even though we can shape the future to a large extent, in some cases, as here, something gets clearly out of hand. What is appreciable is the strong comment on environmental degradation, the interference of man with the purity and integrity of nature, and the ostensible lack of consistency.

Kacper Szalecki Olympia’s Diary

An endearing and joyful reference to classical art. Without looking back, the photographer “jumps into” various situations and re-processes reality his own fussy way. In an act of creation, he involves passersby in his art, thus unwittingly becoming—as I presume—a “cement” of the community. His fascination with Olympia, treated in a light and playful manner, is a comment on a broad range of human struggles with physicality and acceptance of one’s body.

Agnieszka Rayss:

Weronika Gęsicka Marks

For the intriguing play with visual clichés and archive photography.

Michał Siarek Alexander

For translating the search for the influence of history on the identity of a modern country.

Honza Zamojski:

Justyna Wierzchowiecka Museum Studies

Of all the submissions, the project by Justyna Wierzchowiecka is the most open and multi-layered one, which is crucial when working on a book. The number and quality of the photographs proposed by Justyna are a promising beginning and I am sure that, when finished, the publication will be a surprise, not just for the young and talented artist herself.