Il MUSEC of Lugano is ready to host the extraordinary exhibition “Unpublished Photo 2023” (UP23), the result of the competition created by the Culture and Museums Foundation in collaboration with the museum itself and originally promoted by the Milanese gallery 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS. The exhibition, scheduled from 14 December 2023 to 18 February 2024, presents the works of the four international winners selected by a jury of experts.

The initiative, born in 2018 to give voice to young talents under 30 from all over the world, has acquired an institutional framework over the years thanks to the commitment of MUSEC. The objective is to trace the main trends in emerging art photography and establish an archive of contemporary photography.

The 2023 edition of UP attracted over two hundred photographers from thirty-five countries, highlighting strong participation from Italy, Bangladesh, India and Russia. The international jury, chaired by the renowned Italian photographer Roberto Polillo, met in Venice to select the winners.

The winners of UP23 and their stories

First Prize – “Living Legends” by Andrey Podlednev (Russia): Andrey Podlednev – cover photo -, born in Khabarovsk in 2004, won first prize thanks to his series “Living Legends”. His photographs lyrically capture the majesty of steam locomotives and pay homage to the anonymous train drivers, conveying a human experience that profoundly affected the young photographer.

Second Prize – “Gestalten” by Madeleine Brunnmeier (Germany): Madeleine Brunnmeier, born 1995, received second prize for her series “Gestalten”. Through portraits of men and women in the entirety of their wardrobes, Brunnmeier explores the profound identity of individuals, transforming clothing into sculptural material with an analogue technique.

Third Prize – “Breakdowns” by Aleksandr Lialiushkin (Russia): Aleksandr Lialiushkin – opposite photo -, contemporary photographer and artist, obtained third prize with the project “Breakdowns”. Through the comparison between the puppet and the human being, Lialiushkin seeks a metaphorical connection between the living and the artificial, expressing the complexity of human emotions.

Fourth Prize – “Psytopia” by W.VV.VV (Singapore): W.VV.VV – photo above -, augmented reality artist and designer, won the fourth prize with “Psytopia”. The project, developed between 2019 and 2023 in Japanese nights and dawns, transforms ordinary cityscapes into an otherworldly hallucination, reflecting the power of art to evoke emotions.

The exhibition, set up in the Spazio Maraini of Villa Malpensata in Lugano, will be accompanied by a bilingual catalog published by Fondazione Culture e Musei editions, which will present all ten photographs of each portfolio. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the suggestive and stimulating visions of these young international talents.