Harri Kallio receives Fotofinlandia Prize for his photo-manipulations of dodo birds in the wild

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Finnish photographer Harri Kallio, 35, won this year's Fotofinlandia Prize, worth EUR 17,000, on Thursday with his series of photos entitled The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters. They depict the long-extinct dodo birds which were found on the island of Mauritius until the end of the 17th century.
      The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters is a visual interpretation of the flightless dodos - perhaps the most famous example of a species that has been made extinct by the hand of man - in their actual environment of Mauritius. Based on extensive research, Harri Kallio built life-size reconstructions of the birds and photographed them in the natural habitat where they once lived - on the 17th century island of Mauritius.
     
According to the competition jury, the photos bear likeness to the paintings of old masters, regardless of the modern technique.
      "This technically splendid series of photos, which at first sight may seem a parody of nature pictures, is an intense work, very touching and moving. The birds in the photos are as it were on the last beach. In despair they gather together - as if anticipating their final doom", the jury stated.
      The other finalists, Tatu Hiltunen, Maarit Hohteri, Aino Kannisto, Ritva Kovalainen, Jouko Lehtola, Ville Lenkkeri, Renja Leino, Anni Leppälä, and Pekka Niittyvirta received a recognition award of EUR 500 each.
     
The winner was selected from a shortlist of ten by this year's jury: portrait painter Irmeli Jung, film director Markku Pölönen, and photographer Jari Silomäki, the winner of Fotofinlandia 2004.
      Thursday's Fotofinlandia Prize awards were the 8th such event. The prize is awarded by the Central Association of Finnish Photographic Organizations Finnfoto and Finland's biggest magazine for photographers, Kamera-lehti.
     
Currently, photos by the Fotofinlandia finalists can be seen at the Media Piazza of the Sanoma headquarters building (Töölönlahdenkatu 2) until February 24th, from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and from Saturday to Sunday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
      The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters exhibition is open at the Bonni Benrubi Gallery in New York (41 E 57th St.; between Madison and Park Avenues) until April 1st.
      Harri Kallio's book, also entitled The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters and published by Dewi Lewis Publishing, won the European Publishers' Award for Photography in 2004.


Links:
  Harri Kallio: Photography and sculpture projects
  Dewi Lewis Publishing: The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters
  Bonni Benrubi Gallery: Current Exhibition Harri Kallio

Helsingin Sanomat