UPdate : the look, the zoo, the Presence Library and the GoSee Champagne Bar

Following dates in Berlin and Hamburg, the UPdate – Salon for Photography’s latest event was held in Frankfurt. The location of choice was the stunning Palais im Zoo, which is nestled in picturesque grounds between orange and olive trees. Exhibitors attended from Germany, Austria, France, Portugal, South Africa and Belgium.

“What a great UPdate. A beautiful environment, exactly the right size, really nice tables, interesting portfolios in the library. Many, many thanks for the opportunity of meeting renowned and less known people, holding interesting conversations and the yummy champagne.” Claudia Bussjäger, Art Buying

The Presence Library, which had been sorely missed in Hamburg, was reinstated in Frankfurt. 50 portfolios by a cherry picked selection of photographers were on show. We would like to use this opportunity to say thank you to the 150 applicants – understandably, we were only able to take on a limited number of portfolios.

The presented photographers’ portfolios can be viewed on www.GoSee.us/library. It is certainly worth taking a look.

"It was great to be at the UPdate in Frankfurt. I had a very nice viewing." Sonja Priller, UPdate Library Photographer.

We would also like to say a big thank you to all the cooperating magazines such as Lürzers, Maxima, Ramp, Viktor, and many, many more … it wasn’t just the photographers who were grateful readers and recipients. “Many thanks for the mega great event, you really made it A*. Getting everyone together in the industry – and in such a nice way too. Only you can manage to do that!!!” Sheila King, Lürzer's Archive.

Visitors and exhibitors were also excited about the ‘gifts’ that filled the pink UPdate bags, which as rumour has it, are already being sold online on the eBay black market.

And to add even more of an excitement factor we spontaneously decided to whip up an UPDATE MAGAZINE – which went down very well indeed – we’re not showing off, we have it in writing! ;-)!!

We would like to say thank you to our print friends at seltmann + söhne who put in the extra effort and covered the entire creative weekend and to our CD Lutz Scheer of RaguseScheer.

As the two surprise UPdate weekend films in next week’s upcoming film newsletter prove, film and photography isn’t just merging on GoSee. Many thanks go to Rolf Scheider, Pictorion das Werk and our musician friends; Klee front woman Suzy, Stefan Dierolf and Nel, who is known amongst industry insiders.

The UPdate witnessed the very evident merging of the two disciplines, the new trend was evident everywhere. For example, we were honoured to present the Saatchi & Saatchi Showcase and exhibitors such as Kristina Korb and Petra Springer, who represent both photographers and directors.

The heightened interest was also reflected in the top class visitors from the film sector. We were overjoyed to catch up with our pirate friends before Cannes, as well as Michael Brink (Pictorion das Werk) and his wife.

If it were up to us, then the whole creative weekend could increasingly head into this direction. And it is even better, when a visit to the event isn’t just enjoyable, but also productive.

“…To us, film and photography are inseparably liked together. Photography can develop faster and more freely and its visual language and techniques are always a step ahead of the game. It is important for us to feel the pulse of the times and to be so excellently conditioned in seeing images.

In two years time, the trends I discover at the UPdate will also make their mark on the film sector. Which makes it a must for us as a forum and enables us to look over the shoulders of the top visual people…” Wolf Bosse, CEO, PICTORION das werk Berlin GmbH

Last but not least; the GoSee Photo Call. It was introduced in Hamburg – and perfected in Frankfurt. Champagne was of course used as a bribe.

It was worth it too; we are pleased to be able to present a face to so many names here on GoSee.

We are also already looking forward to the unmissable upcoming Creative Weekend 2011 in Frankfurt – it was wonderful to meet up with familiar faces all over town, a different feeling to the one we had in Berlin, but obviously only different and not worse in any way.

The only GoSee / Update downer : Frankfurt’s Mayor Mrs. Roth didn’t make it to the UPdate 2010, despite receiving a personal invite. Since we didn’t receive her decline, we were of course expecting her to show up.

But as the saying goes: politicians are also just people!