We live in a time when everything around us is somehow avant-garde. I take photographs of the states of things in my daily life, because I believe anything and everything can feel innovative. It may well be that the original meaning I have associated to the term avant-garde has been constantly shifting. I was delighted and honored to collaborate with the Museum and gladly accepted the role of Judge for this year’s MA-g Awards dedicated to my career, as I feel the Museum professes and captures the avant-garde spirit of the present time.
I was very touched to be invited by the The Museum of Avant-garde to offer my judgement for the Illustration category of the 2023 edition of MA-g Awards. As someone who still designs to this day (I’m 93!) I am very pleased to see such wonderful initiative flourish but also to be judging the category of Illustration. I’m extremely impressed with the overall quality of all the entries. When judging I was looking for an interesting composition, colouring and an artistic vision which I thought most entries achieved and more. The 2 winning entries have stood out to me the most with their artistic ideas and visions. I felt that they were the most interesting and innovative in their form. I would like therefore to wish all the entrants and the winners a huge success in their field. And may their art bring them joy and happiness for as long as possible.
Some submissions somehow impress me. A richness of new approaches, surprising solutions, visually dazzling. “Apotheke Tosters” is a real, clever idea! Communicative excellence, visually clear and powerful. Perfect craftsmanship. Down-to-earth and unpretentious. “Kreuzschwestern”: What a simple, great concept! Excellent use of existing material, four L-shaped pieces of a normal extrusion! The peeking light is ingenious and charming. “SIVK New Year wish 2022” is an incredible book! Such an exception, where analogue and IT for the first time are perfectly married. 1+1=3! A glimpse into the future as to what today is possible. No dogma, no style, just pure talent, creativity, and top craftsmanship. This elementally embraces today’s world of opportunities and challenges.