Exhibition of the VGH Photo Prize 2023 at GAF.
The five finalists will showcase outstanding photojournalism from Hannover until January 14.
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
Photo from Jana Mai's work "Because I've always been James"
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, this year’s VGH Photo Prize exhibition opened at the Galerie für Fotografie in Hannover. It honours the work of the five finalists of the internal university prize. This year, Jana Mai won the VGH Photo Award with her Bachelor’s project “Because I’ve always been James”. The jury described Jana Mai’s work as a “sensitive portrait of a young trans man”. In her work, you can sense the trust that the photographer has built up with the protagonist over the months.
Photo from the work "Irmela Mensah-Schramm" by Jasper Hill
Jasper Hill is one of the five finalists with his work “Irmela Mensah Schramm”. To this end, he accompanied the 78-year-old human rights activist. Schramm is known throughout Germany for removing racist and anti-Semitic stickers and graffiti for over thirty years. “Whether with a broken knee and crutches or an injured arm, she never leaves the house without her camera, paintbrush, solvent, and spray can,” writes photographer Jasper Hill about Irmela Mensah Schramm.
Photo: Patrick Slesiona
In his bachelor thesis “Maybe Tomorrow There Will Be War Again”, Patrick Slesiona documented the effects of Azerbaijan’s policy of aggression against the smaller, democratic Armenia in the fall of 2022. His photo series sheds light on a military conflict largely ignored by the international community. With this work, Patrick Slesiona wants to show the Armenian population’s remarkable resilience despite the threat of war.
Photo from the work "Castle in the Clouds" by Lenny Steinhauer
In his work “Castle in the Clouds”, Lenny Steinhauer portrays residents of the Ihme-Zentrum. The gigantic building complex in the middle of Hannover’s trendy Linden district is generally regarded as Europe’s most enormous contiguous concrete mass. However, failed investors have left the buildings in poor condition, which causes significant problems for the residents. The situation is precarious. According to architect Gerd Runge, some parts of the building will no longer be stable in a few years’ time. Flat owners are facing a financial catastrophe.
Photo from the work "Orchestra of Nongkrong" by Lasse Branding
Student Lasse Branding reached the final VGH Photo Prize for the second time. He travelled to Indonesia as part of a workshop residency co-organized by Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The work “Orchestra of Nongkrong” about young people in the Southeast Asian country was created there. The word “nonkrong” translates as “getting together and spending time with friends – without necessarily having a plan.”
The VGH Photo Prize is awarded yearly to Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts students in cooperation with VGH Versicherungen. It is considered one of Germany’s most highly endowed awards for photography. This year’s jury consisted of Henner Flohr (FAZ), the author and curator Cale Garrido, Lara Huck (DIE ZEIT), Hannah Schuh (ART- Das Kunstmagazin), Barbara Stauss (Studio Stauss), Andreas Trampe (Stern) and a representative of the VGH. Last year, student Valentin Goppel won with his work on young people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Duration of the exhibition: December 7 – January 14, 2024
Opening hours: Thursdays to Sundays, 12 am to 6 pm.
GAF has closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January, 2024.
Location:
GAF Galerie für Fotografie Hannover
Seilerstraße 15D,
30171 Hannover
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