1st place
gold star award
Danny Franzreb
germany
title
Off Space
Off Space is a story about hyper urbanism and the anthropogenic systems that we create for modern society. People’s ability to create seems almost limitless, as the great architects worldwide have shown many times throughout the centuries. This landmark architecture only represented a tiny and exclusive part of most communities, though. Most urban structures are built under challenging socioeconomic conditions to serve as homes for millions of people in the most efficient ways possible. Urbanization around the globe has happened at a rapid pace, and the resulting landscape often consists of anonymous systems that range from highly organized to extremely chaotic spaces. According to the United Nations, never before in human history lived more people in an urban environment. By 2030, urban areas are projected to house 65 percent of people globally, and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants.
Even though the work covers many of the world’s most influential cities, it is not intended to portray any particular culture or place. It is meant to take an abstract look at some of the most expressive patterns that we created through these places. It is a portrait of the fabric that makes a city, with a particular focus on housing, because, to me, that is one of the most fundamental aspects, which expresses the living conditions of our time. Given urging challenges like a worldwide pandemic, climate change, and finite natural resources, the project is a means to raise awareness and open a dialogue about the question of how we will live in metropolises across the world in the future since they can be considered as one of the essential drivers for forthcoming social-ecological transition.
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entry description
The submitted work is part of the larger series “Off Space”.Off Space is a story about hyper urbanism and the anthropogenic systems that we create for modern society. People’s ability to create seems almost limitless, as the great architects worldwide have shown many times throughout the centuries. This landmark architecture only represented a tiny and exclusive part of most communities, though. Most urban structures are built under challenging socioeconomic conditions to serve as homes for millions of people in the most efficient ways possible. Urbanization around the globe has happened at a rapid pace, and the resulting landscape often consists of anonymous systems that range from highly organized to extremely chaotic spaces. According to the United Nations, never before in human history lived more people in an urban environment. By 2030, urban areas are projected to house 65 percent of people globally, and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants.
Even though the work covers many of the world’s most influential cities, it is not intended to portray any particular culture or place. It is meant to take an abstract look at some of the most expressive patterns that we created through these places. It is a portrait of the fabric that makes a city, with a particular focus on housing, because, to me, that is one of the most fundamental aspects, which expresses the living conditions of our time. Given urging challenges like a worldwide pandemic, climate change, and finite natural resources, the project is a means to raise awareness and open a dialogue about the question of how we will live in metropolises across the world in the future since they can be considered as one of the essential drivers for forthcoming social-ecological transition.
about the photographer
I am a creative director and photographer located in the south of Germany. Through the years I had the chance to work with brands such as Leica or Zeiss and received a few national/international awards for my projects. My photography mainly focuses on documentary and street photography. I perceive my work as a privilege and truly love what I do.back to gallery