HGB students Kyu Sang Lee, currently a Meisterschüler of Prof. Christin Lahr, and Natalia Kepesz, Prof. Tina Bara's photography and moving image class, have been nominated for the Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents.
Natalia Kepesz' nominated work "Niewybuch" approaches the world of military camps and uniform classes, which have experienced a massive influx in Poland in recent years. In addition to teaching military basics, children and young people are playfully indoctrinated with obedience and patriotism. The young soldiers appear like play figures, their frozen facial features concealing any emotion and thus raising the question of the emotional effects of military education. Between fake blood, drill and the unreserved use of weapons, the tension between the child's search for adventure and the excesses of the Polish military cult is addressed.
Kyu Sang Lee's photographic work explores cultural and historical integration, drawing on his personal experiences in Seoul, Cape Town and Leipzig. Lee's use of chroma key green redefines traditional technological roles. By questioning conventional applications assigned to the colors of technological systems, Lee highlights their potential to critically engage with our understanding of societal frameworks and their functionalities. This approach not only critiques the often overlooked aesthetic dimensions of our technologically driven society, but also invites us to reconsider how the colors of digital media influence our perceptions and cultural landscapes.
The competition, which has been organized in collaboration with Luma Arles and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie d'Arles (ENSP) since 2018, presents and recognizes up-and-coming artists. The prize aims to establish a dialog between young talents and leading international photography and art schools. The nominated works will be exhibited in Arles during this summer.