In his video piece, Clean Lines 2002, John Pilson characterizes the environs and living conditions of various people who are close to him. A quietly moving camera links the outside world of well-groomed front yards with the interiors of their refined homes. A seemingly chance array of snapshots is condensed into a panorama of the American upper-middle class. Minor incidents like a venetian blind being opened, a bottle breaking, or a car driving by suddenly become eventful. The cool, low-key narrative tone of Pilson’s work avoids pathos and remains receptive to projected ideas and ambiguities. His photographs and videos of domestic situations and working lives choreograph the rituals of daily life. Every photograph opens up new avenues for us to follow in dealing with reality. 

In addition to the cash prize, Baloise acquires a group of works by the award winners and donates them to two important European museums. The work of John Pilson was presented to the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.

Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery

Members of the Jury:
Christoph Heinrich, Curator of the Galerie der Gegenwart, Hamburger Kunsthalle; Jan Hoet, Director, Stedelijk Museum Voor Actuele Kunst, Gent; Maja Oeri, Chairwoman of the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation, Basel; Stephan Schmidt-Wulffen, Rector of the Akademie der bildenden Künste, Vienna and Martin Schwander, Fine Art Advisor of the Baloise, Chairman of the jury.