Nathalie Gallon, Director of the Prix Carmignac du photo-journalisme
This award was created in 2009 to support photojournalism. It is a grant that goes towards the completion of a work that requires a minimum of 5 months spent somewhere in the field. But the support is spread out over two years: a touring exhibition of Europe, a publication, and the acquisition of four photographs for the foundation’s collection, which is slowly becoming a sort of contemporary archive. For its manager, Mr. Carmignac, it’s important to keep up with the state of the world, to question our certitudes and standards, to inspire reflection and commitment. The values of courage, independence and reflection illustrated by photojournalism correspond to the values of the bank, and this despite the difficulties photojournalism faces to be produced and distributed. The fact that photojournalism is in crisis and needs help was certainly a motive in the choice. Above all it’s about reaching the public, whether through paintings or photographs, which can be loaned out for exhibitions and subsidiaries in Europe.
There is certainly a risk taken, but there’s an application with a written project and a jury independent of the company, and so this risk-taking is consistent with the values of the company.
