honorable mention
Lara Natalia Haenny switzerland
title
Through a child's eye
Because we are humans, we often tend to get a quick picture of something based on our own experiences and knowledge. Without thinking about bigger consequences, we prematurely formulate opinions that ultimately influence our speech and behavior towards others. So busy with ourselves and our goals to receive recognition, we do not even notice how little effort it sometimes takes in a trivial situation to influence the decision or course of another person’s life. Or even the course of many people’s lives. And so often, what we perceive as reality and call the ultimate truth is exactly the opposite.
The real barriers are within each one of us. Regardless of our origin, our culture, the politics of our nation, everyone has the capacity and strength to break down these walls, which were built with bricks made of our fears, limitations, and preconceptions and eventually recognize the natural truth. The truth that deep within us, we're all the same.
By these images, I want the audience to think outside the box, to realize that open-mindedness to the unknown and compassion for others are more necessary than ever to hold this world together and to fight against the wars. To see that human beings are all equal, despite our culturally shaped lives, which might differ from each other. Like a child does. And to understand that we always have a choice to act differently and that our attitude and beliefs can be changed. How important courage and communication are in a world that has taught us to suppress our feelings and to keep our thoughts to ourselves. It’s time to tear down our walls and to let the unknown in.
By the age of twenty-one, I started working independently as a designer and photographer and simultaneously did my diploma in marketing and later my Bachelor of Arts in Interaction Design, which I successfully graduated in 2018 with the highest grade.
In the last couple of months, I traveled alone by train and bus from Switzerland, through conflict-affected countries such as Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan to India to portray people from different backgrounds. Despite the risky and challenging situations, I put myself in, I kept on focussing on my target. I’m convinced that courage, good intentions, and persistence will be rewarded in life. And they were. Without consciously planning it, I ended up interviewing people living between the war fronts and writing down their incredible stories.
Someone said: «There’s no one in this world whom you could not love after hearing his story.» I think that’s true. Revealing our honest innermost desires and fears and listening to each other with open hearts, creates the basis of true understanding and empathy. It’s what is necessary to shift our views on the world and the people, to eliminate our misconceptions and prejudices against other cultures and beliefs. Compassion is a global language and it’s the band that holds us vulnerable human beings together. Photography has the potential to tell stories and create understanding and empathy without using words.
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entry description
To date, many minorities are suffering from ongoing wars, especially those who live in border areas. So do the Muslims in Kashmir.Because we are humans, we often tend to get a quick picture of something based on our own experiences and knowledge. Without thinking about bigger consequences, we prematurely formulate opinions that ultimately influence our speech and behavior towards others. So busy with ourselves and our goals to receive recognition, we do not even notice how little effort it sometimes takes in a trivial situation to influence the decision or course of another person’s life. Or even the course of many people’s lives. And so often, what we perceive as reality and call the ultimate truth is exactly the opposite.
The real barriers are within each one of us. Regardless of our origin, our culture, the politics of our nation, everyone has the capacity and strength to break down these walls, which were built with bricks made of our fears, limitations, and preconceptions and eventually recognize the natural truth. The truth that deep within us, we're all the same.
By these images, I want the audience to think outside the box, to realize that open-mindedness to the unknown and compassion for others are more necessary than ever to hold this world together and to fight against the wars. To see that human beings are all equal, despite our culturally shaped lives, which might differ from each other. Like a child does. And to understand that we always have a choice to act differently and that our attitude and beliefs can be changed. How important courage and communication are in a world that has taught us to suppress our feelings and to keep our thoughts to ourselves. It’s time to tear down our walls and to let the unknown in.
about the photographer
My name is Lara and I grew up in the middle of the Swiss Alps within a Romansch community. Being rased in such an environment, I learned to be practical, resourceful and appreciative. But because of great curiosity, a strong thirst for knowledge and great fascination for everything unexplored has accompanied me ever since I had to leave the green valley and thus my known environment early on.By the age of twenty-one, I started working independently as a designer and photographer and simultaneously did my diploma in marketing and later my Bachelor of Arts in Interaction Design, which I successfully graduated in 2018 with the highest grade.
In the last couple of months, I traveled alone by train and bus from Switzerland, through conflict-affected countries such as Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan to India to portray people from different backgrounds. Despite the risky and challenging situations, I put myself in, I kept on focussing on my target. I’m convinced that courage, good intentions, and persistence will be rewarded in life. And they were. Without consciously planning it, I ended up interviewing people living between the war fronts and writing down their incredible stories.
Someone said: «There’s no one in this world whom you could not love after hearing his story.» I think that’s true. Revealing our honest innermost desires and fears and listening to each other with open hearts, creates the basis of true understanding and empathy. It’s what is necessary to shift our views on the world and the people, to eliminate our misconceptions and prejudices against other cultures and beliefs. Compassion is a global language and it’s the band that holds us vulnerable human beings together. Photography has the potential to tell stories and create understanding and empathy without using words.
back to gallery