The Symmetry of Wine and Photography

From September 6 through 8, 2012.

Brakpan by Marc Shoul, South Africa – 2011 WinePhoto First-Prize winnerWine by the Bay in Downtown Miami and Etra Fine Art in the Design District present WinePhoto, Editions 2011 and 2012, an international photography contest sponsored by Balan, Italy – one of Italy’s leading wholesalers of European wine. Since its first edition in 2004, Balan’s WinePhoto has issued 43 awards and 11 special mentions to professional photographers representing 65 countries. Both exhibits are free and the event takes place as part of Downtown Miami’s first DWNTWN Art Days – a multi-venue cultural community event in Downtown Miami.

WinePhoto was originally conceived as a means to express how photography relates to wine in both conventional and unconventional ways.  Over the years, the contest has evolved and is now a collection of stories about the contemporary world.  Each year, a theme aims to project a different point of view through artistic expression.  The exhibit is curated by WinePhoto Creative Director, Diego Orlando, a professional photographer from Venice, Italy and Photo Editor & Special Projects for Burn Magazine.

Wine by the Bay/ Etra Fine Art owner Stefano Campanini comments, “I am excited to bring WinePhoto to South Florida and especially to Downtown Miami as part of their DWNTN Art Days event.  WinePhoto will add an international element to the weekend.”  Campanini had an opportunity to preview the WinePhoto exhibit while attending the annual WineDay event at the Balan estate near Venice, Italy this past June.  “Not only will the community enjoy this free exhibit, but we will also provide an opportunity for both wine and photography professionals to enhance their senses through an uncanny relationship between wine and photography.”

Each year, the WinePhoto jury is comprised of highly-recognized photographers that have included:  David Alan Harvey (Magnum Agency); Kent Kobersteen (former Director of Photography National Geographic Magazine), Alex Majoli (Magnum Agency); Chris Anderson (VII Agency);  and highly honored Maggie Steber (former Assistant Managing Editor of Photography and Features, Miami Herald and 2007 Knight Foundation grant recipient.)

The 2011 edition, “Renaissance, stories that could not have been” includes the works of: Marc Shoul, South Africa; Christopher Capozziello, United States; Sanders Marsman, Netherlands; Giovanni Troilio, Italy; and Sarah Amy Fishlock, United Kingdom.

2011 first-prize winner Marc Shoul commented on his Brakpan: “The ‘Rainbow Nation’ was and still is encouraged to embrace, believe in and work towards “the African Renaissance.” Brakpan continues to live in the same narrative it always has and the Renaissance has not extended itself to Brakpan yet – leaving it to its own devices.”

Shoul’s body of work is a skillful yet beautiful document of life in a seemingly decaying Brakpan – a once prosperous, mining town.  “Although Brakpan is a mere 45-minute drive from Johannesburg, it is worlds apart,” concludes Shoul. “Almost like a free fall with no safety net, no medical aid, no insurance, no commitments, or contracts of any sort. The buildings and streets have remained the same for decades. Visually the town seems to have been dropped in a vessel filled with formaldehyde.”

Thursday, September 6, 2012 3:30 p.m.
Meet & Greet Fabio Balan, owner of Balan Wines, Italy and Diego Orlando, Creative Director WinePhoto: a private event for wine and restaurant professionals, professional photographers/photojournalists, and media.  Free. Pre-registration is required to [email protected] or 305.455.9791

Thursday, September 6 and Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
WinePhoto 2011 at Wine by the Bay, Downtown Miami in collaboration with DWNTWN Art Days 2012.  Free.

Friday, September 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Private Preview of 2012 WinePhoto – winners will be announced at a private VIP dinner and Media Invite at Etra Fine Art, Design District

Saturday, September 8, 2012 until 10:00 p.m.
WinePhoto 2012 at Etra Fine Art as part of 2nd Saturday Art & Design Night/Art Walk.  Free.

To learn more about the 2011 and 2012 WinePhoto contest and exhibit, visit www.winephoto.it. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.winebtb.com or the event’s page on Facebook

Wine by the Bay
888 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
305.455.9791
www.winebtb.com

Etra Fine Art
50 NE 40th Street
Miami, FL 33137
305.438.4383
www.etrafineart.com

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