Brindleyplace has launched a special photography competition that aims to celebrate the traditional Japanese festival of Hanami, as well as discovering blossoming artistic talent in Birmingham.
An annual event, Hanami is the Japanese tradition of ‘enjoying the transient beauty of flowers’ and is celebrated to coincide with the flowering of cherry blossom across the country.
Organised in partnership with Ikon and Café Opus at Ikon, the Hanami Photography Competition is targeted at amateur photographers with a passion for photography in Birmingham and will be officially launched when the first cherry blossom flowers on the trees in Oozells Square in Brindleyplace.
Participants in the competition will be asked to submit one photograph that they feel captures the beauty of the cherry blossom in Brindleyplace, helping to bring Hanami to Birmingham.
Lydia Ellis, Marketing Manager at Brindleyplace, said: “Hanami seemed like the perfect festival for Brindleyplace to celebrate as, each year we have so many people comment on how beautiful the cherry blossom looks in Oozells Square. By launching a photography competition we will be able to create a lasting memory as well as encouraging artistic talent in Birmingham.
“The competition is open to everyone with a passion for photography. People can simply turn up once the cherry blossom starts to show in Brindleyplace and start snapping away!”
The winning photograph will be chosen by a team of judges including Stuart Tulloch, Ikon Curator, Amy Secretan, Manager at Café Opus at Ikon, Dan Morrissey, Presenter at Free Radio and Pete James, Curator of Photography Collections at Library of Birmingham. The winner will have their photo displayed in Café Opus at Ikon following the competition, as well as winning a meal for two at the popular café.
Stuart Tulloch, Ikon Curator, said: “This competition allows people to interpret the cherry blossom season and its impact on the local environment in their own unique way. Art is very personal to an individual so it will be very interesting to see how one subject matter is shown in a number of ways.”
From when the competition is launched – the blossom typically blooms at the end of March –participants will have until the 13 April to submit their entry, with the judging taking place that same week.
Amy Secretan, Manager at Café Opus at Ikon, said: “It was lovely to be able to sit out on the terrace last year and admire the cherry blossom out in Oozells Square. Displaying the winning photograph in the café will mean we can enjoy the cherry blossom all year round, as can our diners. This is a great opportunity for budding photographers to showcase their work so I wish all participants the very best of luck and would encourage anyone considering entering the competition to get involved.”