As every year, it is once again harvest season for the International Center of Photography, when the New York institution holds its largest annual fundraiser. The ICP Infinity Awards, during which seven honorees are recognized for their contributions to the field of photography, is above all an important date on the ICP’s economic calendar. Held last night on May 1, 2013, this gala, cocktail, dinner and ceremony brings together around five hundred influential people from the worlds of art and photography. Revenues generated from the event fund the ICP’s programs, including exhibitions, collections and community outreach programs.
Beyond this financial aspect, the event, held at Pier Sixty in Chelsea, is also the occasion to bring attention to the work and careers of several photographers. The most important prize is the Cornell Capa Lifetime Achievement Award, presented yesterday to David Goldblatt in recognition of his coverage of Apartheid in his native South African and other subjects across Africa. In other categories: the Art prize was given to Mishka Henner, who has been described as a kind of contemporary Duchamp; Cristina de Middel”s “The Afronauts” received the Publication prize; while the Photojournalism and Applied/Fashion/Advertising prizes were awarded to David Guttenfelder and Erik Madigan Heck, respectively. The always fascinating Young Photographer prize went to Kitra Cahana, a documentary photographer who spends long periods of time with communities, documenting their daily lives in a powerful and iconic style. A special presentation was given by the actor and photographer Jeff Bridges, author of a 2006 book of pictures taken on film sets, and another book of portraits, forthcoming in 2014.
“Each year ICP acknowledges the work of an impressive array of imagemakers whose work challenges and enlightens us,” said ICP Executive Director Mark Robbins. “We are pleased to recognize the achievement of this year’s recipients including David Goldblatt, who has dedicated his career to not only documenting his native South Africa but also to teaching visual literacy and photographic skills to youth disadvantaged by the system of apartheid.”
At the ICP Infinity Awards, tradition has it that every photographer being honored, before saying a few words, also appear in a short film screened during the dinner. This year, the team of MediaStorm put together a video portrait of each recipient, which are presented today by the Journal . We would like to personally thank Brian Storm, the founder of this multimedia production.
Jonas Cuénin
