reGeneration₂ TOMORROW’S PHOTOGRAPHERS TODAY Opening of the exhibtion and Nuit de l’Elysée What are young photographers up to in the twenty-first century? How do they see the world? How much do they respect, build on, or reject tradition? As the digital revolution continues its relentless advance, demolishing longstanding practices in every domain of our field, curiosity builds as to how the new generation of photographers will operate. The reGeneration project – the broadest and most enterprising survey of its kind – set out in 2005 to discover answers to these intriguing questions, while revealing emerging photography in wide-ranging fashion. Following on from the success of this exhibition shown in ten different cities across North America, Europe and Asia, this second edition turns the spotlight on 80 up-and-coming talents from 30 countries. The Musée de l’Elysée selected the most promising candidates from some 700 entries submitted by 120 of the world’s top photography schools. The curators tried to keep an open mind throughout the selection process, whether the photographers had chosen a documentary or an artistic approach, whether they worked with film or computer, and whether they supported their work with a detailed concept or preferred shooting spontaneously. reGeneration₂ showcases the inspiring creativity and ingenuity of photographers at the outset of their careers, as they navigate in the fast-moving currents of the second decade of the 21st century. It shows these young practioners focusing on major themes as diverse as the urban environment, globalization, issues of identity and memory, their use of hybrid techniques allowing them to obscure as never before the distinction between reality and fiction. From early July the exhibition will also be presented in France at the Rencontres d'Arles, following which it will embark on an international tour in Cape Town, Milan and New York. The project has been made possible through the support of Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, Loterie Romande, Office fédéral de la culture OFC, Friends’ Circle of the Musée de l’Elysée, Fondation Leenaards, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Pro Helvetia, Boner Stiftung für Kunst und Kultur, Minerva Kunststiftung, Uniquement vôtre and the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. The exhibition, produced by the Musée de l'Elysée, was curated by William A. Ewing and Nathalie Herschdorfer, and is accompanied with a book published by Thames & Hudson (UK/France) and Aperture (USA). reGeneration₂ – Photographes de demain William A. Ewing et Nathalie Herschdorfer Editions Thames & Hudson, Paris et Londres (2010) 224 pages, 208 illustrations. Editions française et anglaise