For three days, the Leitz-Park in Wetzlar was, once again, a multifaceted setting where the passion for photography was given free rein. The Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2022 was at the heart of the Celebration of Photography program. The winner of the main award was photographer Kiana Hayeri, who was born in Iran and grew up in Canada; the LOBA Newcomer Award was granted to the German photographer Valentin Goppel. Their series, along with all the other 2022 shortlisted nominees, are on display at the Ernst Leitz Museum. A large exhibition of works by the French Leica photographer Claudine Doury, was opened at the same time at the Leica Gallery Wetzlar.
The LOBA 2022 winners. In this 42nd edition of the internationally renowned and highly remunerated photography competition, the winner of the main category was Kiana Hayeri (born 1988) for her series Promises Written on Ice, Left in the Sun. Hayeri has been living and working in Afghanistan for over eight years. Her work focuses primarily on the oppressive living situations of women there, which have only worsened since the Taliban’s return to power. Valentin Goppel (born 2000) was the Newcomer who convinced the LOBA 2022 jury. In his Between the Years series, he takes a very personal approach to addressing the upheavals and experiences of his generation in times of Corona. Both series are on display from October 21, 2022, to January 2023, at the Ernst Leitz Museum, alongside the ten additional series that made up the LOBA 2022 shortlist. The 42nd LOBA edition, with submissions made by international nominators and the final selection by a renowned jury of experts, reiterates the importance of the competition; at the same time, the emotional and powerful images submitted by the actively engaged photographers, reveal the state of the world with earth-shattering clarity. Further information at: www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com
Claudine Doury at the Leica Gallery Wetzlar. The evening of 20th October saw the celebration of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony in the foyer of Leica Camera AG, as well as the opening of Between Magic and Reality, an exhibition of works by the renowned French photographer Claudine Doury (born 1959). The Leica Gallery Wetzlar is presenting three of her series, where the LOBA 1999 winner shares poetic images and touching stories set in gorgeous locations in Central Asia, Crimea and Siberia.
Celebration of Photography. The festivities began for invited guests early on the evening of 19th October, with a wonderful concert by celebrated trumpet player Till Brönner, whose Leica photography has also caused a sensation. In addition to the LOBA award ceremony and exhibition openings, one of the highlights of the Celebration of Photography was the presentation by Dr. Andreas Kaufmann (Majority shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG) of the latest Leica novelties. He introduced no less than three products. Of particular note is the new Leica M6, which is inspired by the legendary analogue rangefinder camera. To complement the M6, a new edition of the Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 Classic Line was also presented. The new limited edition Leica SL2-S Reporter, was also cause for celebration. These novelties further confirm that innovation and tradition remain the constants when it comes to Leica product development. The Leica Picture of the Year 2022 was also unveiled at the event: Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker captured the iconic motif during his famous US road trip of 1963. Leica honoured the German photographer in 2016, with the Leica Hall of Fame Award for his life’s work. A limited edition of the Leica Picture of the Year 2022 will be available for purchase exclusively at Leica Galleries around the world. On the morning of 21st October in the foyer of Leica Camera AG, a podium discussion and talks with the LOBA winners rounded off the Celebration of Photography program.
Please find further information at:
Leica Camera AG
Ann-Kristin Löhr
Global PR Coordination
E-Mail: Ann-Kristin.Loehr@leica-camera.com
ライカカメラ社について
ライカカメラ社はカメラ、レンズ、スポーツオプティクスを製造・販売するグローバルなプレミアムメーカーで、150年以上の歴史を誇ります。近年は成長戦略の一貫として事業領域を拡大しており、モバイルイメージング（スマートフォン）の分野にも進出しています。また、高品質な眼鏡用レンズと時計の製造も手がけるほか、自社製プロジェクターによりホームシネマ市場に参入しています。本社はドイツ・ウェッツラーにあり、ポルトガルのヴィラ・ノヴァ・デ・ファマリカンには第2の製造拠点を置いています。世界各地に独自の販売会社と120を超えるライカストアを構え、グローバルな販売ネットワークを構築しています。ライカは、革新技術が伴った「最高水準の品質」「ドイツならではのクラフツマンシップ」「インダストリアルデザイン」の代名詞となっています。
ライカブランドの文化に不可欠なのは、写真文化の育成へのコミットメントであり、その一環として世界各地に約30箇所のライカギャラリー設置、ライカアカデミーの開催、「ライカ・ホール・オブ・フェイム・アワード（Leica Hall of Fame Award）」や「ライカ・オスカー・バルナックアワード（LOBA）」といった国際的アワードの主催をはじめ写真文化の振興に取り組んでいます。