Taking place for the first time at Westergas’ Transformatorhuis, this year’s Book Market will be bigger and better than ever before. With more than 80 independent publishers presenting their latest photobooks, it’s the place to discover a range of rare and experimental photobooks. Don’t miss impromptu book launches, signings, talks and special events, and meet the creative forces of the photobook industry. The shortlisted selection of this year’s Unseen Dummy Award will also be on show for visitors to browse through. The winner, announced on 20 September at 16.15 in Living Room, will have their photobook published by Lecturis and distributed internationally.

See also

Impression of the Unseen Photo Festival Amsterdam 2019 Street Photography

Amsterdam Unseen Photo Festival september 22 2019
Amsterdam Unseen Photo Festival september 22 2019

Non ya by Moritz Jekat, Unseen Dummy Award Winner 2019 , Unseen Amsterdam 2019 © Olivier van Breugel

Unseen and Lecturis are delighted to announce that Non ya (None of your business) by Moritz Jekat has won this year’s Unseen Dummy Award! Chosen from an exemplary selection of photobook designs from exceptional artists all over the world, the Unseen Dummy Award grants the winner the opportunity to have their photobook published and distributed internationally.

This year’s international jury was comprised of Paul van Mameren (Managing Director, Lecturis), Christina Töpfer (Editor-in-Chief, Camera Austria International), Jenny Lindhe (Head, Photographs Collection & The Photobook Days at Landskrona Foto Festival), Natasha Christia (independent curator and writer), and Rebecca Fertinel (winner of the Unseen Dummy Award 2018).

Non ya, 2019 © Moritz Jekat

Jury Statement :

‘Our selection process was determined by three core elements: the urgency and relevance of the subject matter, a strong formulation and structure, and how it would connect to its audience. The winning book, Non Ya, illustrates Jekat’s personal family history and their experience coming from multiple different countries to set up a new life in Berlin. As you flip through the pages you experience many different layers of family life, the intimacy and the difficulties. Through a deeply personal look at the realities of life as an immigrant, Jekat’s photobook creates a portrait of daily life in contemporary Europe.

We all felt that the winning book became stronger the longer you looked at it. The combination of portraits and still lives adds depth to its narrative, depicting a new form of privacy that is inherently not private. The glossiness of the paper and pops of colour gives it a familiar, almost commercial, feel which contrasts to its raw and subdued imagery.’