/ 2024 / /

• Prize
  Shortlist
• Photographer
  MARCUS BASTEL, United Kingdom
• Date of Photograph
  01/05/2023
• Category
  Americas
• Website
  http://marcusbastel.com
• Instagram
  marcusbastelphoto

This was taken at Biosphere 2 outside Tucson, Arizona. Biosphere 2 was developed as the second fully self-sufficient biosphere, after Earth itself (Biosphere 1). As an attempt to create a balanced and self-sustaining replica of Earth’s ecosystems, Biosphere 2 was a miserable (and expensive) failure. In short, the experiment failed to generate sufficient breathable air, drinkable water and adequate food for just eight humans.
On my way out, I spotted the swallow perched on an emergency call box, seemingly wanting to alert to it’s plight on Biosphere 1.

I'm a London-based German photographer, I’ve studied Fine Art at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam and Sheffield Hallam University. Over the past 20 years, I have developed a distinctive style that bridges the worlds of fine art and documentary photography, capturing compelling stories through landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits.
I document, observe and build community by engaging with people around me, people who occupy the spaces I occupy or travel through. Notable projects are‘It’s a Bad Day piss off’, 'My Trip to Mars' and 'Faces of Mustang'

Awards Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025
Shortlisted for the Paris Photo Prize 2024
Honorable Mention in the Photography Book Now International Juried Competition 2010