The Prix Elysée returns this year with a captivating selection of eight finalists, showcasing projects that resonate deeply with the pressing issues of contemporary society.
Established in 2014, the Prix Elysée aims to spotlight the emerging generation of photographic talent while reflecting the movements and shifts within the medium. As seen during the preview of the eight finalist projects at Photo Elysée’s stand at Paris Photo this past November, the Prix continues to engage with urgent societal questions and global challenges through the lens of photography.
The selected projects touch on themes such as climate change, migration, identity, hope, and disillusionment. They mirrors our world while pushing the boundaries of photographic practice.
The Finalists and Their Projects
- Seif Kousmate (Morocco): Men vs Fathers
Through a deeply personal mythology, Kousmate explores the figure of the father, examining its singular and universal meanings through themes of lineage, masculinity, and identity. - Hannah Darabi (Iran): Why Don’t You Dance
Darabi investigates popular dance in Iran as a lens to explore the country’s complex political and social history. - Roger Eberhard (Switzerland): Meanwhile
In a world of global synchronicity, Eberhard juxtaposes events from the same day across 20 different countries. This project reflects on how shared information forms collective memory rather than isolating individuals. - Felipe Romero Beltrán (Colombia): A Body That Speaks as a Bird
Beltrán examines the rural-to-urban migration experience, questioning how the human body adapts to “civilized” urban life and the loss of its original rhythms. - Samuel Gratacap (France): Welcome Europa
Focusing on migration caused by conflicts, Gratacap documents human displacement across the Mediterranean basin and the Balkans, presenting a poignant narrative of its impact on individuals. - Anastasia Samoylova (USA/Russia): Transformations
Samoylova uses photography to highlight environmental changes caused by climate change and the resilience of communities adapting to these transformations. Her project explores both the urgency and the hope embedded in these shifts. - Rahim Fortune (USA): The Cove
Blending photography and archival material, Fortune delves into his family history to explore pride—pride in oneself, one’s community, and how it is perceived by others. - Camille Gharbi (France): Intimes Convictions
Gharbi merges documentary and conceptual photography to address rape culture and sexual violence in intimate spaces, shedding light on these critical issues.
These thought-provoking and essential projects offer an in-depth look at the evolution of contemporary photographic practice and its ability to illuminate societal transformations. They remind us of photography’s unique position as a medium that observes, questions, and challenges the world around us.
Marie Pellicier
The International Photography Award Prix Elysée
Photo Elysée
prixelysee.ch
