Had the opportunity last night to attend Blend Magazine's (an arts/fashion/photography magazine here in Amsterdam) New Talent Portfolio Night. Victor, one of our teachers here in Amsterdam, invited us last minute and in a flurry yesterday morning so none of really knew what it was exactly. Definitely didn't realize what I was in for.
The New Talent night was hosted in the Pakhuis de Zwijger, a building that is devoted entirely to the arts and creativity, on the north side of Amsterdam. [Got a little lost getting to it - took a Tram and taxi ride.] The portfolio review was set in an intimate room, with couches and lounges in the middle of the room and tables lining the perimeter. Gathered on one side of the tables was a smear of big name creatives from the Amsterdam area - creative directors, photographers, CEOs (the CEO of McCann worldwide was one) - and on the other side were the up and coming talent presenting their books. I would say nearly 90% of the books shown were photography based, but I did see a few ad pitches and other media here and there. Most presented in the form of a physical book while others showed work on their macs. People threw back drinks in the middle of the room waiting their turn and sharing their portfolios with each other, all backset to a DJ who kind of emceed the night.
On either side of the room there were huge projection screens, displaying various work and photography. There was so much abuzz that you couldn't help but watch and listen. I was actually a bit overwhelmed. I had never before seen such a collaborative environment between creative professionals and up and coming talent in the States. And how genius it is - just a laid back, no pretenses type environment where you can get straight forward, quick, honest feedback about your work. Each of the portfolio reviewers (Peggy and Victor being two of them, by the way) possess a 'golden ticket' that they can award one of the portfolios they review for a final round at the end of the round robin sessions. Then a final review of those golden ticket winners reveals the winner, who will then be published in the next issue of Blend. Very cool.
Peggy pulled us over at one point so we could watch and observe her critique some of the books and so that we could see some of the portfolios. I thought some of the books were fantastic. Really impressive. And kind of two pronged in how it made me feel: incredibly inspired to create but also made me realize how much there is to be done. :P
There's a difference between the creatives here in Europe and those in the States. Theres a stronger synthesis/unity here amongst creatives - less cut throat competitiveness. As art should be.
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