Report on Grand Prize Selection Open-Committee Meeting of New Cosmos of Photography 2009 (the 32nd competition)
Grand Prize Selection Meeting
After the nominees' presentations and Q&A sessions, the judges moved to a separate room to determine the Grand Prize winner. The debate was heated, as each judge had his or her favorite nominee. The criteria for selecting the winner included the strength of the work, the freshness of expression, and the artist's future prospects. The judges also took this opportunity to discuss the concepts underlying the New Cosmos of Photography, the breadth and limitations of photography, and the definition of photography. At the end of the discussions, the judges unanimously selected Misato Kuroda as the Grand Prize winner for the impact and technical richness of her photography, as well as for her future potential as an artist.
Overview of award presentation ceremony
This year's New Cosmos of Photography awards were presented by Bunji Yano, deputy group executive of - External Relations Headquarters, Canon Inc. Shota Ohkawa accepted awards and prize certificates on behalf of the 18 Honorable Mention winners. The five Excellence Award winners each received an award and a prize certificate. Finally, as the audience watched with bated breath, Misato Kuroda was announced as the Grand Prize winner. Kuroda was awarded an award and prize money, as well as a certificate for a Canon digital SLR EOS 5D Mark II camera and an EF 24 - 105 mm L IS U lens kit.
Comments of the Grand Prize winner
Misato Kuroda was genuinely thrilled at winning the Grand Prize. Accepting the Grand Prize, she said: "I'm so happy right now that I'm lost for words. It's been due to the support of all my friends and colleagues why I'm able to stand here today. Thank you very much." The audience rewarded her with loud applause.
