The Prix Pictet Growth Cycle reached its conclusion this week with the opening of an exhibition of photographs by Chris Jordan at the Diemar/Noble Photography, London.

Jordan’s remarkable images were shot this summer in Northern Kenya where he completed a fieldtrip for the third Prix Pictet Commission. The Tusk Trust, whose work in Kenya is currently being supported by Pictet & Cie, facilitated Jordan’s journey through this remote part of Africa, ensuring access to community and wildlife conservancies many miles from the usual tourist routes.

The resulting series, which Chris Jordan calls ‘Ushirikiano’ (‘partnership’ or ‘collaboration’ in Swahili) focuses on the precarious existence of the drought stricken communities that inhabit Kenya’s Northern Rangelands.

While not universally bleak, a chilling requiem for elephants slaughtered by poachers lies at the heart of this series. “I hope” says Jordan, “these photo’s can serve as a visual reminder of the trail of destruction we leave, and the damage we do to our own spirits, when we forget our relationship with nature, our own human dignity and our connection with the higher purposes of life.”

With the launch this week of the fourth cycle of the Prix Pictet and it’s theme of ‘Power’, Chris Jordan’s words are a timely reminder of the central purpose of the Prix Pictet – to raise public awareness worldwide of the social and environmental challenges of the new millennium.

Between now and January 2012 a network of 180 experts from five continents, acting as nominators for the prize, will scan the globe in search of images that are both of the highest artistic merit and have the narrative power to provoke and disturb, but also to inspire.

As a theme, ‘Power’ ranges from awesome power of the natural world and industrial power, to the spontaneous power of people to effect change. Power has enormous breath, embracing contradiction and paradox in equal measure.

In the spring of 2012 the independent jury chaired by professor Sir David King will meet in London to agree the Shortlist, which will be premiered at Les Rencontres d’Arles in July 2012.

The winner of the Prix Pictet will be announced by Kofi Annan, Honorary President, at the opening of the finalists’ exhibition and award ceremony at the Saatchi Gallery in London in October 2012. From there the exhibition will embark on an international tour beginning in Paris during Paris Photo.

Speaking at the launch, Peter Barber, Chairman of the Prix Pictet, said “We are delighted that in 2012 we will stage the award exhibition in London and that Professor Sir David King has agreed to serve a second term as the Chairman of the Jury. I expect the Jury will once again arrive at a Shortlist that will lead to an outstanding finalists’ exhibition.”

Chris Jordan’s Ushirikiano’ will be at Diemar/Noble Photography, London until Saturday 29 October 2011.

Via: Financial Times