Each year the Prix Pictet will focus on a specific sustainability theme and award 100,000 Swiss francs to the photographer who best represents its critical story. The theme for 2008 is water, the world’s most precious resource.

Dark Matter, by Mary Mattingly

“There has been much talk about climate change. But not much about where we will see its first impact: water. Flooding. Drought. Contamination. Water is the vector of climate change. By 2010 an estimated 40 per cent of the world’s poorest people will lack access to clean water. Two hundred million may be physically or economically displaced. This is not the future. This is now.”


Series: The Chinese ” dust bowl”, by Benoit Aquin

Judges selected their shortlist from 200 nominees hailing from 43 countries. Among the 18 finalists are some of our favorite eco artists like Edward Burtynsky, David Maisel, Chris Jordan, Reza Deghati and Roman Signer.

Wan Zhou #2, by Edward Burtynsky

Without analyzing the sustainable credentials behind each picture, these images give rise to a critique of photography – how physically sustainable can a photograph be? Although we could ponder how ecologically sustainable the methods used to produce such images are, one must appreciate the visible power of such well-crafted, critical visual communication.

Remains of a business, St. Bernard Parish, by Chris Jordan

The winner of the Prix Pictet award will be announced on 30 October 2008 at a Gala Dinner at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris. Following that all the shortlisted images will be exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo from 30 October – 8 November 2008.

+ The Prix Pictet

+ Edward Burtynsky
+ Chris Jordan

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