Astronomy, dystopias and webcam: Projects from the Bird in Flight Prize ‘21 longlist at the PHmuseum

An exhibition of Bird in Flight Prize ’21 projects has opened on the PHmuseum’s, online platform for contemporary photography. The selection committee and the PHmuseum curators have selected 14 projects among those submitted for this year’s competition. The exhibition “On Body and Soul” will be featured on the website until April 25.

The exhibition’s participants have chosen to explore new ways of interacting with others and experimenting with the environment. Many of the projects share a common theme – loneliness during coronavirus lockdown.

The 2021 Bird in Flight Prize competition received nearly 400 entries from 52 countries. At the end of December, the finalists’ projects were presented on the screens of a shopping mall in Kyiv. The first international Bird in Flight Award exhibition opened in Lithuania earlier this week. In addition, during January, the works have been showcased before films in the Multiplex cinema network (28 movie theaters, 141 cinema halls).

“A Poor Sort of Memory” by Tracy L Chandler

Tracy L Chandler reconstructs personal memories and explores the difficult process of coming of age. The photographs were taken in her hometown in the California desert. In the “Bad Memory” series, Chandler weaves together landscapes, symbolic objects, and portraits of her son.

“Cognition” by Felix Schӧppner

Felix Schӧppner uses terms from physics and astronomy and presents them in simplified models.

“Edited” by Nazar Furyk

Nazar Furyk’s project is dedicated to Kyiv’s suburbs – hated and beloved by the author. Through a metaphysical approach, the series of images reveals the tension of everyday life. The photographer took pictures of the house where he used to live and its surroundings.

“Extreme Pain, but also Extreme Joy” by Maggie Shannon

Maggie Shannon chronicles the stories of midwives working hard to comfort and support at the height of the pandemic.

“Followers” by Paula Gortazar

Paula Gortazar combines reproductions from the archive of the Czechoslovakian secret police with contemporary photographs aiming to draw attention to new forms of online surveillance.

“Fragility” by Elena Subach

Elena Subach’s work explores the traditions of small provincial towns in the era of globalization.

“Onwards” by Morten Christiansen

Morten Christiansen explores the rift between the relation to his past and his present self.

“Indigo Dust” by Miriam Levi

Miriam Levy revisits the role of artificial intelligence in shaping human creativity. Some of the images were taken in a darkroom using alternative photographic processes such as cyanotype.

“Future Kids” by Doro Zinn

Doro Zinn talks about the problems of social exclusion and integration.

“One of Yours” by Daniel Mayrit

Using photographic images and digital manipulation, Daniel Mayrit analyses, questions and highlights the artificiality of the visual tactics used by populist movements in their communicative and visual strategy.

“On Dreams and Screens” by Ira Lupu

Ira Lupu demystifies sex work in Ukraine, attempting to give a more detailed portrait of women working in this field.

“Two Times Mary” by Valeria Arendar

Valeria Arendar depicts the anguish of fear for her life and safety caused by her mother’s memories and collective experiences. In the 1970s, her mother had to flee Buenos Aires alone and move to Mexico.

“Uncertainty and Possibility” by Lisa Pram

Lisa Pram’s series is about her family. Her daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder: she has developmental delays. The photographer shows how her family strives to create an open and unprejudiced space where this child can be herself.