The Press Gang

Just in case you thought it was just parties and beaches out here in the Cape, we have culture too....

On one of the windiest nights of the year, the prestigious World Press Photo competition came to Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope

Where an  audience of wind-swept photographers, journalists and invited guests gathered on the castle lawn to hear the speeches 

The nicest thing about the Mother City is that one always meets people one knows as well as new friends who warm on immediate acquaintance


 Investec chairman Hugh Herman made a speech about political and social responsibility and the need to support the arts: "Investec is honoured to be associated with the biggest and only truly global photojournalism exhibition.  The World Press Photo Exhibition encompasses the bank’s commitment to the arts and our drive for excellence."

South African photographer and winner of the 2011 World Press Photo of the Year, Jodi Bieber, spoke about her experience since winning last year's prestigious award and about the dangerous risks photojournalists take to get their pix, opening the exhibition by cutting a  red ribbon. 
 
 
Jodi’s horrific iconic portrait of the mutilated Afghan girl, Bibi Aisha, whose husband sliced off her nose and ears, is the first image you see as you enter the exhibition



Our friend, the very bubbly and talented photographer Jenny Altschuler, pictured at last year's Michaelis show, made the opening speech, and will be co ordinating  a series of  related Photography Masterclasses and discussions  running from 6 Feb - 17 Feb as part of the Iziko Summer school 2012. Contact Jenny Altschuler for more information on 0829355522 or jenarch@iafrica.com

 
This little girl in pink was among the audience and made me think how lucky she is to be born into post apartheid South Africa where such a gathering to celebrate press freedom is not only possible but encouraged and absolutely necessary at a time when such freedoms risk being eroded

The Castle has been the centre of civilian, administrative and military life in the Cape since 1666 when it was built by slaves for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a maritime station for ships on their way to the East. It's the oldest surviving colonial building in SA, inhabited by Dutch, French and British as well as the Apartheid regime
 

Today the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape and houses the Castle Military Museum, the beautiful William Fehr Collection, a restaurant and exhibitions such as this one

World Press Photo is an independent, nonprofit organization based in Amsterdam, founded in 1955,  its aim to support and promote the work of professional press photographers internationally.

World Press Photo has evolved into an independent platform for photographers and the free exchange of current information. A great collection of photojournalism and documentary photography, and a must-see for anyone interested in the medium

Here you can see one of the powerful images of some of the best photographers in the world. The judging of this competition, now in its 55th year, was done on Saturday and the results will be announced on 10 February in a press conference at the Amsterdam City Hall

An audience of young and old

Sampling glasses of delicious Cape wines

Regarding images- harrowing, sympathetic and celebratory 
Including South African Mike Hutchings for his winning image of a footballer being accidentally kicked during the World Cup semifinal in Cape Town last year

And this amazing pic by German South African, Thomas P. Peschak in first place in the Nature category with his picture of a Cape Gannet coming in to land at its nest on Malgas Island

I particularly liked this Israeli photographer's take on old and new at the Jaffa Gate

 

And here at my favourite Zichron icon, the house of Sarah Aaronsohn, who spied for the British during the First World War, pictured here as a schoolgirl

And this disturbing photo of a young Russian naval recruit

Mr P looks on thoughtfully

The low-ceilinged space, redolent of the past made the perfect venue for so much history in the making

There were moments of quiet reflection and relaxation

But mainly the public was in the business of looking

And being looked at

The Investec zebra - inspired branding! - was everywhere

Even strangely moving across my field of vision -  trick of the light, the crazy wind and the very good Cape wines?

The food was best ever at any exhibition - generous platters of SA specialities - all served by smiling leopard-print waistcoat clad 'waitrons' - egg mayo sammies on white bread, sosaties, samosas, yummy baby fish-balls  - no need to have supper afterwards!

Mr P and the Chance Muse went home - 5 minutes away - with full tummies and plenty to think about

The exhibition is on til the 6th of February at the Castle, so make sure you don’t miss out.
You will be blown away!