Student Accommodation Winners, Alumno, currently developing newly designed accommodation at The Church Inn, Manchester is asking entrants to explore the concept of what IDENTITY means today.
Peter Dench curator of Photo North says “Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person or group. One can regard the awareness and the categorising of identity as positive or as destructive. A psychological identity relates to self-image, self-esteem, and individuality.”
Working with the UK’s premier photography festival, with a reputation for creating outstanding events and competitions, Photo North will coordinate the competition, also offering winners the opportunity to be exhibited alongside leading and eminent photographers Tom Stoddart, Carolyn Mendelsohn, Chris Floyd, David Collyer.
David Campbell, MD of Alumno, commented: “We are delighted to be bringing the Photo North
With silent dignity an elderly woman waits for aid to arrive at her stricken village near Anjar, Gujarat, after the earthquake of 2001. The quake lasting 90 seconds killed 20,000 people in the north western state of Gujarat, left 200,000 injured and countless homeless. Many youngsters out on the streets with their teachers that January morning to celebrate India’s Republic Day were buried under tons of falling masonry. “We were in the jaws of death waiting for it to swallow us,” said one survivor.
(Photo By Tom Stoddart)
competition to Manchester. We see this is a great opportunity for students to connect to the city. We are excited to see the final pieces, and hope that the competition will encourage, and empower many to get involved.
Our aim, as a developer, is to not simply roll out building after building, but to create engaging and inspirational environments that fit the context of their surroundings. Every Alumno project tells its own story with its own unique narrative, drawing on its local heritage – public art is a key way for us to tell that story.”
The new student accommodation development is located on Cambridge Street and at the heart of the two most vibrant student communities from both the University of Manchester and the Manchester Metropolitan University. Designed by Carsons and Partners it will extend up to nine stories and comprise of 62nr high-quality studios comprising a communal landscaping area designed by the visionary sculptor Rob Coleman to incorporate architectural features from the former Church Inn pub.
The ground floor façade has been designed as a full height glazing, activating the street frontage and providing a glimpse into the open-plan reception and lounge areas designed by Ben Kelly, one of the UK’s most influential artists.
The competition is open to any student studying photography or an arts related subjects – or simply an avid student wishing to enhance their photography skills.
Sharon Price, Photo North co-founder comments: “Manchester is a unique city, and we hope that this competition will both provoke and enthuse interest to generate some telling and inspirational entries. Ordinary, everyday moments can be significant and offer a unique and fascinating universal document of Identity today and we are hugely excited about what we will see from this competition. Offering students the opportunity to display their work in a professional way alongside well-known artists is both a humbling and exciting prospect. Many thanks to our key sponsors and distinguished panel for their support and commitment.”
The competition is open now, with deadline for entries 11th April 2022
