Following the pandemic-related restrictions in recent years, stays abroad for study exchanges and internships are now once again easier, hence the theme of this year’s photo competition at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar was »OPEN HORIZONS«. 

Interest in the competition was again great in this year: more than 70 students – not only from Weimar, but also from many other countries such as the USA, Mongolia, Iran and Libya – submitted entries. The impressions of study exchanges or internships shown in the photographs were so diverse that the jury comprising representatives from all four faculties, the Office of the President, University Communications, the Centre for Institutional Development and International Office had a tough time selecting the winners. Prizes were awarded for the best works on Tuesday, 22 November 2022 by the Interim President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Prof. Jutta Emes as well as by Sandra Wolf and Andrea Weber from International Office as part of the exhibition in the foyer of the University Library.

The first prize was awarded twice this year as two entrants achieved the same number of points: The competition winners are Dolgorsuren Adiyabaatar, an international student from Mongolia studying within the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, with her photo »DIE MENSCHEN IM SCHATTEN« [»THE PEOPLE IN THE SHADOWS«]. The black and white photograph shows the Weimar atrium with striking lines and interesting shadow gradients. Clemens Hornemann from the Faculty of Art and Design won with his photo »NEW SKIES«, which shows the different skies over New York. Each of the two first prizes is endowed with €250.

Markus Boden from the Faculty of Civil Engineering received third prize and 100 euros in prize money for his submission »EINE UNVERGESSLICHE GEBURTSTAGSFEIER« [»AN UNFORGETTABLE BIRTHDAY PARTY«], which captures the unique evening atmosphere in Bymarka nature reserve near Trondheim (Norway).

Janna Bülow from the Faculty of Civil Engineering received a prize for her contribution »ANANASSE« [»PINEAPPLES«] taken in Benin, as did Milad Rezaei from the Faculty of Art and Design for »SUNDAY RITUALS«, taken in Kirschbachtal valley in Weimar. Both students will each receive €50 in prize money.

Lukas Lindemann from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Fiona Weidenfeller and Emilie-Louise Pöpl from the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism were acknowledged for their contributions.

In addition to the jury, visitors to the exhibition were also able to participate in the awarding of prizes.  The response was huge: Around 300 students, staff and guests of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar cast their vote for the audience prize. Anna-Mareike Hempel, a Master’s student of architecture, won with her photo »CHILE RELAJADO« [»RELAXED CHILE«], which shows her at the geysers of El Tatio in northern Chile. She’ll receive prize money totalling €200.

All of the works submitted, including the photographs from Portugal, Jordan, Iceland, the USA, South Korea, Peru, Cyprus and many other countries, will be displayed in the foyer of the University Library until mid-December 2022. The nine winning photos can also be viewed online: https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/news/bauhausjournal-online/titel/winners-of-the-open-horizons-photo-competition-honoured/datum///news/?tx_news_pi1

For more information on the photo competition, see: www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/international/aktuelle-informationen/fotowettbewerb 

In case of questions, please contact Andrea Weber (International Office) by telephone (03643 582361) or via e-mail (andrea.weber[at]uni-weimar.de).