UN Photo Exhibition at photokina
Exhibition at 32nd photokina: IPC, photokina, Kölnmesse, UN Present Compelling Landmark Event
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, October 2, 2012 – Some 185,000 visitors from 166 countries attended Photokina, the world’s largest photo fair, at the Kölnmesse fair grounds in Köln (Cologne), Germany, from September 18 to 23.*
A highlight of the 32nd biannual Photokina was the United Nations Photo Exhibition, “Seven Decades of Photography,” presented by the International Photographic Council (IPC) in cooperation with Photokina, Kölnmesse, and the Department of Public Information of the United Nations. Lifetouch, Inc. was the exhibition’s exclusive sponsor. The 49 compelling photos, as selected by UN staff—seven photos on seven panels—offered a unique decade-by-decade view of UN history and engagement since the UN’s beginnings in 1945. Strategically located between two major show halls, the photo exhibit drew thousands of visitors each day.
A dedication ceremony for the UN Photo Exhibition was held on Photokina’s opening day. Among the distinguished guests were Arne Molfenter, head of the UN Liaison Office in Germany; James Chung, President of IPC; John Segall, Vice President of IPC; Tor Weatherstone, IPC European representative; Christian Mueller-Rieker, Executive Director of the Photoimaging Vernband from Germany; JPEA President Koichiro Nakatani; PMA President Allen Showwalter; PMA Executive Director Jim Esp; photographer Owe Ommer; photojournalists and industry executives from Europe, Africa, Japan, U.S.A., etc.
Says IPC President James Chung, “IPC would like to express sincere thanks to all those who made the United Nations Photo Exhibition a reality. Not leaving anyone out, a special salute to Mr. Hak-Fan Lau and his staff at the UN Audio-Visual Service Section, Department of Public Information, for all their work in selecting the photographs; Photokina Management and Kölnmesse, for their help and support in planning and preparing the exhibition; and Mr. Bernd Gassner of FEP and his staff, who generously took care of storing the collection before the event then helping to hang the pictures. Last but not least, IPC is pleased with the generous support from Mr. John Segall, Lifetouch, Inc., whose sponsorship—including printing and mounting all images at the Lifetouch Charlotte, N.C., facility—made this show a reality.”
The International Photographic Council (IPC) is a multinational, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, composed of representatives from every major sector of the photographic industry. Founded in 1974, IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication. IPC’s motto is “Peace Through Understanding, Understanding Through Photography, the Universal Language.”
* Photokina attendance statistics are from Kölnmesse.