Landscape - NOMINEE: Swen Bernitz

The photo series "ESSEN 51" deals with the post-industrial transformation of an urban landscape. The Krupp cast steel factory, the nucleus of the later Krupp armaments group and German heavy industry, was built on the site shown at the beginning of the 19th century. Strongly destroyed in World War II, parts of the areal were used for locomotive and wagon construction until 1997. Due to years of non-use, the natural vegetation on the former industrial site has been reintroduced and spread. The remains of the buildings can still be seen in some detail. In the year 2018 the redevelopment of the brownfield was started. Over the next 20 years, the area should be converted into a new urban district, the 51st of Essen. Up to 2,500 apartments and various commercial units are to be built.

About author:
Born 1970 in Berlin (East). Self-taught photographer, since 2008 documentary long-term projects on the topics of built environment, urban landscapes and modern urban development.

Awards (selection):

- Shortlist Architecture “Sony World Photography Awards 2020”
- Nomination “Art Award AOK Nordost 2020”
- Longlist “Aesthetica Art Prize 2020”
- Winner Architecture “Annual Photography Awards 2019” - APA Architectural Photographer of the Year 2019
- Winner Architecture & Interiors “14th Pollux Award's Professional Section 2019”
- Finalist Fine Art “Vision Excellence Awards 2019”
- Nominee Landscape “International Photography Grant 2019”
- Honorable Mention Architecture “International Photography Awards 2019”
- Shortlist Free Choice / Conceptual “Felix Schoeller Photo Award 2019“
- Finalist Photolucida “Critical Mass 2019” & Shortlist GUP Publication Award
- Highly Recommended at European Architectural Photography Prize 2019 “Joyful Architecture”