WinePhoto: An International Photography Exhibit 2012 Press Kit
The Essentials
Photographs: Collections from 2004-2011 are available by request
Interviews: We are happy to facilitate interviews with sponsor Fabio Balan, coowner Balan Wine; WinePhoto Creative Director, Diego Orlando; Wine by the Bay/Etra Fine Art owner, Stefano Campanini. Contact Lisa Morales to coordinate.
Credentials: Media credentials/press ID should be presented at private and/or VIP events
Media Contact: Lisa Morales, press@winebtb.com, press@etrafineart.com
Onsite Media Contact: Stefano Campanini, Stefano@winebtb.com, 305.455.9791
The Agenda: Thursday, Sept 6, 2012 3:30 pm - Meet & Greet Fabio Balan, owner of Balan Wines, Italy and Diego Orlando, Creative Director WinePhoto: a private event for wine and restaurant professionals, professional photographers/photojournalists, and media. Free. Pre-registration is required to info@winebtb.com or 305.455.9791; Thursday, Sept 7 and Sept 8, 2012 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. - WinePhoto 2011 at Wine by the Bay, Downtown Miami in collaboration with DWNTWN Art Days 2012. Free. Friday, Sept 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. - Private Preview of 2012 WinePhoto - winners will be announced at a complimentary VIP dinner by Chef Diego and Wine and Prosecco provided by Balan Wine. Media Invite (plus guest) at Etra Fine Art, Design District; Saturday, Sept 8, 2012 until 10:00 p.m. - WinePhoto 2012 at Etra Fine Art as part of 2nd Saturday Art & Design Night/Art Walk. Free.
Locations: Wine by the Bay 888 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132 305.455.9791 www.winebtb.com
Etra Fine Art 50 NE 40th St. Miami, FL 33137 305.438.4383 www.etrafineart.com
Event Site: https://www.facebook.com/events/511396932210169/
About WinePhoto: WinePhoto is an international photography contest sponsored by Balan, Italy – one of Italy’s leading wholesalers of European wine. Since its first edition in 2004, Balan’s WinePhoto has issued 43 awards and 11 special mentions to professional photographers representing 65 countries. The WinePhoto exhibit will be presented in the United States for the first time at Etra Fine Art and Wine by the Bay from September 6 to 8, 2012 – both exhibits are free. Wine by the Bay is a participant in the first DWNTWN Art Days - a multi-venue cultural community event in Downtown Miami. WinePhoto was originally conceived as a means to express how photography relates to wine in both conventional and unconventional ways. Over the years, the contest has evolved and is now a collection of stories about the contemporary world. Each year, a theme aims to project a different point of view through artistic expression. The exhibit is curated by WinePhoto Creative Director, Diego Orlando, a professional photographer from Venice, Italy and Photo Editor & Special Projects for Burn Magazine. Each year, the WinePhoto jury is comprised of highly-recognized photographers that have included: David Alan Harvey (Magnum Agency); Kent Kobersteen (former Director of Photography National Geographic Magazine), Alex Majoli (Magnum Agency); Chris Anderson (VII Agency); and highly honored Maggie Steber (former Assistant Managing Editor of Photography and Features, Miami Herald and 2007 Knight Foundation grant recipient.)
About Balan:
Balan is a group of people enthusiastic about wine. It began with Sergio Balan, who founded the winery Vinicola Balan sas in 1962. His sons, Fabio and Daniele, transformed the winery into one of the main Italian wine wholesalers. Today Balan sells wines and spirits, both Italian and foreign, in the whole country. Some of the best products in the world are listed in their catalogue: Bordeaux, Tuscany, Bourgogne, Rheingau, Rioja, Burgundy... There are four companies in their group: Omniavini, the holding; Vinicola Balan, wholesaler; Aquitania, wholesaler dealing in Bordeaux wines only; Casamiawines, leading Italian wine merchant in the Asia Pacific area. They communicate a passion for wine to their customers and to all wine lovers every day, but three moments are truly special: Vinitaly; Wine Day, their festival; and WinePhoto.
About Diego Orlando: Diego began his career working as an assistant at the Toscana Photographic Workshop – an organization dedicated to helping photographers become better at their craft while discovering new parts of the world, sharing great company, and experiences. He continued his career as a freelance photographer in Italy for private clients and media such as National Geographic Italia; Traveler Italia; and Qui Touring. He is also the current Photo editor of BURN magazine founded by worldrenowned photographer David Allan Harvey.
About Wine by the Bay: Wine by the Bay opened in Downtown Miami at 888 Biscayne Blvd. (across from the American Airlines Arena) in January 2012. Owner and gallerist Stefano Campanini (who also owns Etra Fine Art in Miami’s Design District) decided to merge his passion for fine art and wine at a location where wine could take “center stage.” Today the store features wine, Champagne, and exotic beer suitable for all tastes and budgets. Personal customer service and weekly wine tastings offer guests an opportunity to discover, learn, and become a passionate consumer.
About Stefano Campanini, Owner of Etra Fine Art and Wine by the Bay: Etra Fine Art was founded in 2004 after almost two decades in Soho, NY. The Gallery strives to bring the best artists to Miami and its international audience and has been the backdrop to many social events, poetry readings, theatre performances and inspiring lectures. Stefano is also founder of the non-profit organization “La Casa de la Mujer de las Americas” – an organization that serves to empower disadvantaged women with economic sustainability, giving them the opportunity to build a life for themselves and their children; and is a Board Member of Arts for Learning. Stefano Campanini comments, “I am excited to bring WinePhoto to South Florida and especially to Downtown Miami as part of their DWNTN Art Days event. WinePhoto will add an international element to the weekend.” Campanini had an opportunity to preview the WinePhoto exhibit while attending the annual WineDay event at the Balan estate near Venice, Italy this past June. “Not only will the community enjoy this free exhibit, but we will also provide an opportunity for both wine and photography professionals to enhance their senses through an uncanny relationship between wine and photography.”
About WinePhoto, Edition 2011 – “RENAISSANCE, Stories that could not have been” The 2011 edition, “Renaissance, stories that could not have been” includes the works of: Marc Shoul, South Africa; Christopher Capozziello, United States; Sanders Marsman, Netherlands; Giovanni Troilio, Italy; and Sarah Amy Fishlock, UK. 2011 first-prize winner Marc Shoul commented on his Brakpan: “The ‘Rainbow Nation’ was and still is encouraged to embrace, believe in and work towards “the African Renaissance.” Brakpan continues to live in the same narrative it always has and the Renaissance has not extended itself to Brakpan yet - leaving it to its own devices.” Shoul’s body of work is a skillful yet beautiful document of life in a seemingly decaying Brakpan - a once prosperous, mining town. “Although Brakpan is a mere 45-minute drive from Johannesburg, it is worlds apart,” concludes Shoul. “Almost like a free fall with no safety net, no medical aid, no insurance, no commitments, or contracts of any sort. The buildings and streets have remained the same for decades. Visually the town seems to have been dropped in a vessel filled with formaldehyde.”
The 2012 Winner To Be Announced Friday, September 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Private VIP dinner by Chef Diego paired with Balan wine and Prosecco. Media plus one guest invited (complimentary.) RSVP no later than Wednesday, September 5, 2012 to press@etrafineart.com Etra Fine Art, 50 NE 40 St., Miami, FL 33137 www.etrafineart.com, 305.438.4383