Sebastião Salgado wins Praemium Imperiale 2021. Central Institute for Restoration also awarded

The winners of the XXXI Praemium Imperiale, the world’s leading award dedicated to art, established in 1988 by the Japan Arts Association with the contribution of the Imperial House of Japan, for the purpose of promoting and enhancing the arts, were announced this morning in Rome at the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture, and simultaneously in the other countries that make up the award committee. The Praemium Imperiale 2021 was won by Sebastião Salgado (Brazil/France) for painting and photography; for sculpture James Turrell (United States); for architecture Glenn Murcutt (Australia); for music Yo Yo Ma (United States); and for film and theater it was not awarded because due to the pandemic no one and the nominees could meet the requirements. A prize of 15 million yen each (about 115,000 euros) goes to the winners. The Scholarship for Young Artists was awarded to the Scuola di Alta Formazione per l’Istituto Centrale per il Restauro: this is the first time an Italian institute involved in conservation and preservation has been honored. A grant of 5 million yen (about 38,000 euros) goes to them.

Sebastião Salgado (Aimorés, 1944), an internationally renowned photographer whose black-and-white works are instantly recognizable for their expressive power, has turned the spotlight on the dispossessed and exploited, the beauty of nature, and the fragility of the world and its inhabitants. James Turrell (Los Angeles, 1943) has created works of quiet, apparent simplicity that reflect his childhood in a Quaker family. His studies in the psychology of perception and art provided the ideal ground for his passion: working with light. His art is influenced by his passion for philosophy, science and flight. Glenn Murcutt (London, 1936), an artist ahead of his time, has created understated, environmentally conscious buildings throughout his career, rooted in Australia’s climate and tradition: the architect often speaks of how his buildings are designed both to air perspective and to be a refuge, with a façade projecting outward and a back offering protection from incursion, the result of his early childhood years living in Papua New Guinea. Yo-Yo Ma (Paris, 1955) is considered one of the greatest musicians of our time: a cellist who is also appreciated worldwide for his passionate and tireless commitment to promoting culture and the power it has to generate trust and understanding, he has been influenced by Pablo Casas, in whose philosophy Yo-Yo Ma recognizes himself: to consider himself first and foremost a human being, secondly a musician and thirdly a cellist.

“I am very honored to receive this recognition because I have always felt close to Japan and I have the utmost respect for Japanese culture,” Salgado declares. “As a Brazilian, I can say that Japan is very important to us.” Turrell says, “I am delighted to be awarded the Praemium Imperiale, whose well-deserved international prestige is enhanced by those who have gone before me. It plays an essential part in Japan’s role in creating an international culture.” Glenn Murcutt emphasizes, “The Praemium Imperiale is a wonderful gift to the world of culture and the arts internationally. To be among the 2021 awardees was a real surprise. It is simply wonderful for me, but especially for Australian architecture. Even though I am almost 85 years old, such an award encourages me to continue my work as long as I am able.” “I am deeply honored to receive the award,” declares Yo-Yo Ma. “I have tried to live without seeking honors, but I have done my best to live honorably, so to receive this unexpected recognition is a great responsibility. I can only accept it by thanking those who brought me into the world, who helped shape me, and who helped me on a journey of exploration and discovery. To them goes my deep gratitude.”

The Central Institute for Restoration (ICR) was founded in 1939 for the purpose of preserving and restoring Italy’s vast cultural and artistic heritage, which at the time was threatened by the outbreak of World War II. In 1941, the first specialized course in Europe for training professional restorers was established at the ICR, from which the School of Higher Education later developed, producing professionals in the restoration of works of art capable of working in any condition, wherever their intervention is required. “We are not great artists,” say the award-winning students, “but we come into close contact with works of art of the utmost importance and for us knowledge is important, as is curiosity and awareness of what we do.”

“Now in its XXXII edition,” said Lamberto Dini, president of the Italian Committee of the prize, “the Praemium Imperiale is an authoritative voice in the art world, equal to that of the Nobel Prizes in science. In the five categories, artists are honored who, over time, have gained wide recognition for their creativity and artistic expression, for their genius and for the contribution they have made to the world community through their activities.”

“It is a great pleasure to host this edition of the Praemium Imperiale at the Ministry of Culture,” said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini. It is so for so many reasons, starting with the friendship and esteem that has marked my relationship with Lamberto Dini for years, for the very important role he has played in the country in difficult times, the personal friendship and the common political path for a few years. And then because the prestige of the prize and the reason for the prize tie in deeply with the mesage that we as Italy wanted to give with the convening of a G20 Culture that was held in Rome between the Colosseum and Palazzo Barberini on July 29 and 30. It was really important to celebrate culture and to declare that it will become a permanent appointment and to approve a binding and very important document like the Rome Declaration, which puts at the center of the international community’s action not only protection and preservation but also support for young artists, young talents, contemporary creativity, knowing that this is a ground that can unite when there are divisions and distances. Culture can be the ground that brings people closer, that unites, and this comes above all through investment in the younger generation.“ As for the recognition for the Central Institute for Restoration, Minister Franceschini says, ”it is a very important recognition for Italy, which is an excellence in restoration techniques, in training young people and talent, so it commits us to invest even more."

“The world is fighting a terrible enemy: the coronavirus,” said the former premier of Japan and Praemium Imperiale adviser, Shinzo Abe. “Many people have lost their precious lives and are still living in fear and hardship. In such a situation, there is a tendency to put one’s own country first, but the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were a success thanks to the cooperation of people around the world. And humanity was able to share the excitement and unite their hearts. I am sure that today’s artists are also using their talent and passion to bring light to the world despite many limitations. Painting, sculpture, architecture, music and theater/cinema: art in all its forms, transcending boundaries and time, will continue to evolve and move people. I am convinced that it is the passion of artists that will help us overcome all difficulties and become a force for change in the world, bringing peace and prosperity to humanity. I will do my best to ensure that the Praemium Imperiale is a platform to present the extraordinary achievements of culture and the arts, and to give the greatest possible encouragement to the creators of art, which is the immortal heritage of humanity.”

“Today’s announcement should have been honored in the presence of Prince Hitachi,” remarked Hisashi Hieda; president of the Japan Art Association, “but unfortunately due to the pandemic it was not possible for us to be there in person. I would therefore like to inject my greetings and thanks. Last year the pandemic forced us to cancel the award, and after this difficult year we are finally here to announce the names of the awardees. I thank Chairman Dini and the Italian committee for their assiduous work during this period. Undoubtedly, artists around the world have been affected by this pandemic that has closed museums, theaters and concert halls and still hinders their activities. It is precisely in these difficult times that we recognize the unquestionable power of the arts in bringing comfort and courage to humanity, and this realization reinforces our resolve to open up more and more the actiity of our Praemium iIperiale. i would like to express my heartfelt best wishes to the awardees and to those who will receive the Young Artist Fellowship.”

Pictured: Sebastiao Salgado

Sebastião Salgado wins Praemium Imperiale 2021. Central Institute for Restoration also awarded

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