New Cosmos of Photography 2012 (the 35th competition)
Messages from the judges to the applicants (honorific titles omitted)
Katsumi Omori
Rather than photos that make me think “These are good photos,” what I would rather see in the New Cosmos of Photography is something cool that goes beyond photos that I think are good.
Masafumi Sanai
People who are ready, people who are really lucky,
and people whose efforts have already finished when they make up their minds to shoot,
they should enter.
Noi Sawaragi
Wasn’t the phrase “New Cosmos of Photography” originally coined to indicate the 21st century? The first chapter of the second millennium has come to an end, and with the New Cosmos of Photography, we are now rushing ahead. What will happen now? It’s not that photos are like this; rather, in addition to being surprised along with everyone else, I would like to see a direction in which photos can also be like this. I am looking forward to the arrival of individuals who will learn from 20th century photography and create 21st century photography, and give us insights into 22nd century photography.
Minoru Shimizu
Abstract terms like “real,” “natural,” and “wild” spewed out by people who do not see photos are just not acceptable. Even if viewing skills rather than shooting skills are sought, and are common sense, the essence is that simply tracing photographic history has no meaning. Instead of a close friend, select your ideal subject. Rather than a casual photo, show us photos taken after thinking and looking as much as you can. A square screen is a white cube. Anything can be art, for example. Let’s not make simple imitations. Photos are a lower body kind of thing. So, make sure to use your mind to the fullest.
HIROMIX
The way I feel about art has remained basically unchanged for a long time. I believe culture and art are feasible when people have achieved stable lifestyles.
Normally, creating an environment is the top priority; however, I feel that from now on it would be best to have an increase in beautiful, modern age-conscious photos that can comfort people.
For future photographic expression, it will be necessary to move towards a more classical beauty.
Another thing I have thought recently is that art and entertainment are complete opposites. This concerned me, so when I looked into it, and I was surprised to learn that my thoughts were the same as Pascal's theories that art is something that gives people a chance to face themselves, and entertainment is only something that people use to escape from facing themselves.
Recently, these two have become confused; however, in the future an era will eventually come when they will be separated for eternity. Apparently this is because there is no connection between leisure and growth.
What is something good? It is not pseudo art, I am waiting for people who can clearly make the distinction.
