Photographic Publication of the Year – results
With the opening of the 22nd edition of Fotofestiwal – the International Festival of Photography in Lodz, we got to know the winners of the Photographic Publication of the Year competition.
Having familiarised themselves with the 65 books submitted for the contest, the jury composed of Alek Hudzik, Ania Nałęcka-Milach, Agnieszka Obszańska, Beata Bartecka, Krzysiek Orłowski, Paweł Rubkiewicz, and Franek Ammer decided to shortlist, and thus also include in the exhibition, 12 publications.
Among them, the jury distinguished:
- for the truly captivating and impressive, detailed graphic design of their project – Garden, by Marta Zgierska & Mateusz Sarełło, design: Aneta Kowalczyk, publisher: BLOW UP PRESS;
- for the interesting combination of documentary photography and fiction – Ostatnia rozmowa z akademikiem Sacharowem, Agnieszka Rayss, editor: Joanna Osiewicz-Lorenzutti, design: Joanna Jopkiewicz, selection of photos: Sebastian Cichocki, publisher: Sputnik Photos;
- for the work with own archive and seeking truth in the cross-sectional and multi-plotted photo-documentary – KURZ / ПЫЛЬ / DUST. Ewolucja imperium 1988—2022, Mariusz Forecki, design: Andrzej Dobosz, publisher: PIX.HOUSE Foundation;
- for the pursuit of the answer to an important question of identity, disappearance of culture and language – Stepping Out Into This Almost Empty Road, Monika Orpik, editor of the Polish text: Anka Herbut, translation into English: Jakub Gutkowski, editor of the English text: Sara Pearce, translation into Belarusian: Adela Dubaviec, editor of the Belarusian text: Adela Dubaviec, design: Agata Bartkowiak, publisher: Ośrodek Postaw Twórczych.
Awards:
The Jury has found two publications to be exceptionally consistent in how they tell their stories. In both these projects, the visual language is perfectly suited to the topic, they are very well edited and offer a truly engaging sequence of photographs. The form of these books enhances the narration. Both these publications receive the title of the Photographic Publication of the Year and the Krzysiek Makowski award:
- The Right Place, Artur Pławski, editor: Jakub Kruger, Tomasz Adamski, design: Adam Piotr Janicki, publisher: Miejskie Centrum Kultury in Tychy;
- But please be careful out there, Aleksandra Żalińska, design: Aleksandra Żalińska, selfpublishing.
Both these publications are a publishing debut. The Jury appreciated the authors’ frankness, their inventive spirit and ability to make the most of the photobook as their medium.
In her project, Aleksandra Żalińska gives us a glimpse into her relationship with her grandmother, making the grandma a co-author who performs in front of the camera. The process of taking photographs has become, in a sense, an excuse to spend time together, at the same time being a playful reference to the classics (Noboyushi Araki and Martin Parr). This is a contemporary tale of another human being which respects the individual identity of the hero. The photo series is truly mesmerising. The book’s form and layout do not interfere with the intimacy of being invited to play.
Aleksandra Żalińska
Aleksandra Żalińska
Aleksandra Żalińska
Artur Pławski, with the use of laconic, poetic and at the same time humorous language, without resorting to the depressing irony, guides us through the labyrinth of apartment buildings in Tychy. The town, dubbed the dormitory of Silesia, is for the author a versatile and yet very homely space. In a very classic way, the book relies, on well-thought-out editing and sequencing. In this minimalistic form, every additional element (such as typography) enhances the structure of narration.
About the contest:
The originator, and the first organizer, of the competition was Krzysiek Makowski – bookseller and editor in the now defunct Księgarnia F5. Before his death, he only managed to organize two editions – in 2009 and 2010. Since 2013, the competition has been organized jointly by: Fotofestiwal – International Festival of Photography in Łódź, Bookoff Bookshop and Miejsce Fotografii and since 2019 – Służewski Dom Kultury. We want the competition to spur creators into action and motivate them to ambitious searches. We want it to give publishers and authors a brave and creative approach to books as a medium. In the previous years, the shortlisted books and the book which won Krzysiek Makowski.
organisers: Fotofestiwal, Służewski Dom Kultury, Bookoff
partners: 19 Rzek, Fotopolis, Miejsce Fotografii
