Over the years, one learns to roll with current trends and tastes. And I aint sayin' it doesn't sometimes hurt to be kicked aside and ignored year after year without the slightest crumb thrown your way. But at my age, it doesn't take long to get over oneself- especially when you discover...
What the bloody hell!!! If work as good as The Donavans or Time And Space On The Lower East Side can't even rate a miserable Honorable Mention in Blurb's Photography Book Now- something is seriously wrong! Yeah, I know, it's all about individual taste. That can usually explain the absolute mediocrities that somehow make any list. But how do you explain... (Update- see below).
Runner Up- as in above Honorable Mention. Which of the renowned, esteemed judges wants it to be known that they of sound body and mind, freely and purposely voted for this book as a "FINE ART RUNNER UP?"
UPDATE: Thanks to Commenter Mike C who wrote in to restore some vestige of sanity- The Kittie Book in question is a People's Choice Award... Repeat- A People's Choice Award! The masses have spoken and my apologies to the highly esteemed judges (who still managed to make some pretty shitty calls)...
What the bloody hell!!! If work as good as The Donavans or Time And Space On The Lower East Side can't even rate a miserable Honorable Mention in Blurb's Photography Book Now- something is seriously wrong! Yeah, I know, it's all about individual taste. That can usually explain the absolute mediocrities that somehow make any list. But how do you explain... (Update- see below).
This is a Fine Art Runner Up?!?
What the Fuckitty Fuck Fuck!!!*
UPDATE: Thanks to Commenter Mike C who wrote in to restore some vestige of sanity- The Kittie Book in question is a People's Choice Award... Repeat- A People's Choice Award! The masses have spoken and my apologies to the highly esteemed judges (who still managed to make some pretty shitty calls)...
*(apologies to The Wire)
4 comments:
Agreed, but the editorial winner is justified. Anton's doing some amazing bloody work and I've been left mesmerized by his insight into the Yakuza.
There is no doubt that good, legitimate work is on display here. But when very worthy and credible work goes completely ignored, and absolute, inexcusable fluff (as that cat thing) gets rewarded with such high profile- it sends a very negative, cynical message. One that taints photo competitions as a whole and fuels very legitimate suspicion and speculation on how such financial enterprises are run.
In the Fine art category, the winner, Barcelona Unfolds, is particularly offensive and just vulgar, the runner-up , Mosh, is deeply inessential, and in third place we have the potent "In This Dark Wood". I wish I could be cynical about this competition, instead I'm just deeply confused.
I have yet to take a long hard look at all the "winners," but the quality seems... haphazard at best- exactly what a professional panel of judges is meant to prevent.
I don't particularly get off on going negative on someone's work, but since they've been brought up- yes, Mosh is one bland collection of snapshots that has been done for decades by many a beginner concert shooter. In contrast, I also have to question why someone the likes of an Arthur Tress, who's had his share of fame, books and occolades going back to the seventies even enters an event seen mainly as a venue for emerging photographers...
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