Kering, a prominent luxury conglomerate, has recently bestowed the esteemed Women in Motion Award for photography upon the remarkable 96-year-old photographer Sabine Weiss. This highly sought-after award is presented in conjunction with Les Rencontres d’Arles and serves as a celebration of Weiss’s exceptional talent and unwavering dedication throughout her illustrious eight-decade career in photography.
Despite the unfortunate cancellation of Les Rencontres d’Arles, which stands as one of Europe’s premier photography festivals, Kering made the decision to pay tribute to Weiss for her profound influence on the humanist school of French photography. Hailing from Switzerland, Weiss acquired her first camera at the tender age of eight with pocket money, eventually relocating to Paris to study under the renowned German fashion photographer Willy Maywald.
Over the course of her esteemed career, Weiss has captured poignant images that encapsulate the spirit of post-war youth, alongside producing striking portraits of cultural icons like Coco Chanel, Igor Stravinsky, and Brigitte Bardot. Her distinct ability to marry rawness with tenderness in her photography sets her apart as a truly exceptional artist.
This represents another instance where Kering has recognized a female photographer through the Women in Motion Award, with Susan Meiselas being the inaugural recipient. The annual award includes a generous prize of €25,000 to facilitate the acquisition of the winner’s works for the esteemed collection at Les Rencontres d’Arles.
Moreover, Kering and Les Rencontres d’Arles have collaborated to establish the Women in Motion LAB, spearheaded by women historians Luce Lebart and Marie Robert. This groundbreaking research initiative sheds light on the invaluable contributions of women to the storied history of photography, with the active involvement of 160 female experts from across the globe to delve into the influence of 300 women who have made a lasting impact on the photography landscape.
In a milestone move, Kering is expanding its support to the Paris Photo art fair for the first time with the collaborative exhibition Paths Elles X Paris Photo 2020. This innovative showcase features the works of women photographers and includes intimate interviews with 30 female artists reflecting on their journeys within the industry.
While conventional events like Paris Photo faced cancellations this year due to the global crisis, the virtual exhibition Paths Elles X Paris Photo provides a distinctive platform for honoring and recognizing the achievements of trailblazing women photographers such as Sabine Weiss. The collaborative efforts between Kering and Les Rencontres d’Arles underscore the shared commitment to advancing gender equality and amplifying the extraordinary contributions of female artists in the realm of photography.
To learn more about Sabine Weiss and her incredible career, click here. For further information on the Women in Motion initiative by Kering, visit this link.
