An intimate glimpse of a gay couple in Russia, judged the most outstanding image taken in 2014, will be showcased at the World Press Photo exhibition in Auckland next month. Photo: Mads Nissen, Denmark, Scanpix/Panos Pictures The picture of Jon and Alex was taken in St Petersburg by photographer Mads Nissen for the Danish newspaper Politiken. “Make no mistake, in many parts of the world, distributing this image will cost you your freedom,” Nissen says. “Being in this peaceful image will get you killed. With this photograph we are challenging homophobia and the hetero-normative definition of love.” It was judged the image of the year in the 2014 World Press Photo competition, and also won first prize in the Contemporary Issues category. Assistant Managing Editor of the New York Times, and chair of the World Press Photo judging committee, Michele McNally, says the photo is aesthetically powerful, and it has humanity. “It is an historic time for the image.” The image will be showcased alongside a selection of photographs from 2014 at the New Zealand premiere of the World Press Photo Exhibition, in Auckland from July 4-26. It is being brought to New Zealand by the Rotary Club of Auckland. Club President Craig Horrocks says that an image of a gay couple is so culturally significant seems incongruous in a country where we have sexual equality. “It’s just one example of the powerful, thought-provoking images in the exhibition that remind us just how peace relies on acceptance of diversity as a cultural value. New Zealand is fortunate in that our geographical isolation has protected us and tolerance is still a feature of our society.” The World Press Photo Exhibition is held from July 4-26, at Smith GayNZ.com Daily News staff - 13th June 2015
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 13th June 2015 - 5:26pm