Report on the Grand Prize Selection Open-Committee Meeting of New Cosmos of Photography 2007 (the 30th competition)
Aaward presentation ceremony
At the award presentation ceremony, Tetsuo Hirasawa, senior general manager of Corporate Communications Center of Canon Inc., presented a certificate of commendation to Eri Adachi on behalf of the twenty-seven Honorable Mention award winners. A certificate of commendation and a list of prize were given to each of the three Excellence Award winners. Afterwards, a Canon compact digital camera PowerShot G9 was given to each of them as a prize to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the photo competition of New Cosmos of Photography. Then, a certificate of commendation and a list of prizes were presented to each of the three Co-Grand Prize winners, and it was announced that a Canon digital single-lens reflex camera EOS 40D would also be given to each of them.
Overview comments of judges
To summarize the comments of the judges after the award presentation ceremony, Iizawa said : “We had really a hard time making judgments this time. A Grand Prize winner has to show the power to make a change in the world of photography in Japan. The three Co-Grand Prize winners did not show that strength yet. It was a painful decision, but this experience will provide us with an opportunity for future enhancement, I hope. We expect that next year there will be such a remarkable artist that all of the judges consider to be great unanimously.” Nanjo talked about expectations for the future, saying : “At the selection meeting, we debated over the raison d’être of New Cosmos of Photography. We should all share this concern and expectations for the future.” Enomoto said, “I want the contestants to grasp the meaning of our conclusions. I believe that there will be a photographer who is capable of bringing about a revolutionary change in photography. Otherwise, New Cosmos of Photography has no reason to exist.” Encouraging future applicants, Moriyama said : “I want them to enter New Cosmos of Photography with the motive of experimenting with photography.” Koo, who has been positively nurturing young artists in South Korea, presented encouraging words to all of the award winners, saying : “It takes hard work to leave a name in history. You are all really capable, so I hope you will improve by working hard.”
