TICA artist wins New York residency

TIRANA, June 20 – Olson Lamaj has been awarded a 6-week ‘artist in residency’ in New York after winning the Ardhje (Arrival) 2012 Contemporary Art Award. In a ceremony held this week at the Tirana Institute of Contemporary Art (TICA) premises, an international jury announced Lamaj as the first prize winner for his “Albania from the street” photo album focusing on urban environment. “I love suburban areas, where there’s more liveliness in contrast to downtown premises where everything is carefully arranged,” says Lamaj, a 26 year-old artist who has graduated in Milan.
“I have not treated the physical presence of humans, but the traces they leave showing there is life in the city,” added Lamaj.
Zef Paci, the curator of the exhibition, says the works were selected for their quality, and research coherence
Alketa Ramaj, Driant Zeneli, Henrjeta Me襠and Yllka Gjollesha were the four other finalists competing for the Ardhje 2012 award. The exhibition at the TICA premises will remain open until June 28.
The winner of ARDHJE 2011 was announced by an international jury composed of Sonja Lau, Robert Bosch Cultural Manager, Helidon Gjergji, a New York based Albanian artist and Jutta Bezenberg, a professional photographer.
Contemporary Art Award ARDHJE every year highlights the most exciting among young contemporary artists in Albania.
Initiated in 2007, the ARDHJE Award has established itself as the leading event, entirely dedicated to the work of young Albanian artists. Created by TICA – the Tirana Institute of Contemporary Art, in collaboration with FCS – Foundation for Civil Society, New York, the ARDHJE Award is the only professional contemporary art award in Albania, consisting of a six week long residency in New York City for the winner, provided by FCS. Differing from all other award events, that mainly aim to use artists for mere marketing purposes, the ARDHJE Award is built only on the independently created artistic work of young Albanian artists, and focuses on providing high exhibition standards, production of art works and projects as well as vital connections to the professional, international art world.