In a world where most of the things revolve around Instagrammable moments and the pursuit of the perfect travel snapshot, it will be disheartening to note that certain renowned landmarks don’t allow p…
The Office of the Clerk in New Zealand has unveiled the fifth edition of the revered reference book, ‘Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand’. The comprehensive guide, initially published in 1985 by David McGee, a long-serving Clerk, has been the go-to source for understanding parliamentary rules, practices, and procedures.
The latest edition encapsulates the updates and developments in New Zealand’s parliamentary system up until early 2023. Noteworthy adjustments include the establishment of the Petitions Committee, alterations from the Review of Standing Orders 2020, and the enactment of the Legislation Act 2019. The edition also reflects the adaptations necessitated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Marking a significant first, this edition incorporates photography that vividly documents democracy in action within the New Zealand Parliament. This visual element brings to life the otherwise textual chronicles of Parliament’s workings, adding an engaging, human touch to the guide.
The fifth edition has undergone major revisions to enhance accessibility for Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, and the general public. It aims to be more user-friendly, shedding light on how Parliament has modernized and adapted to the multifaceted challenges brought about by the pandemic. This new edition, now available online and in the Parliament gift shop, strives to be a more intuitive, enlightening resource for those interested in the machinations of New Zealand’s democracy.
David Wilson, the current Clerk of the House and editor of the new edition, underscored the dedicated effort by the staff of the Office of the Clerk and Parliamentary Service in producing this valuable guide. The publication continues to honor the legacy of David McGee, whose significant contributions to the parliamentary guide remain invaluable, even after his retirement.
The winners of this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award have been revealed.
The 25 images in the running for this year’s competition received over 75,000 votes, with British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani eventually clinching top spot.
“Nima’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet,” says Director of the Natural History Museum, Dr Douglas Gurr.
“His thought- provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.”
The four ‘Highly Commended’ finalists that also charmed wildlife lovers include ‘The Happy Turtle’ by Tzahi Finkelstein, ‘Starling Murmuration’ by Daniel Dencescu, ‘Shared Parenting’ by Mark Boyd and ‘Aurora Jellies’ by Audun Rikardsen.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London.
A polar bear carves out a bed from a small iceberg before drifting off to sleep in the far north, off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Having spent three days desperately searching for polar bears through thick fog in the far north off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, the expedition vessel Nima was on decided to change course. It turned and headed to the southeast, where there was still some sea ice. Here they encountered a younger and an older male. Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve out a bed for himself before drifting off to sleep.
Location: Off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, Norway
Moon jellyfish swarm in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway illuminated by the aurora borealis. It’s common for this species to gather in their hundreds under the aurora borealis. Sheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun used a single exposure as well as his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during the exposure. This enabled him to capture the reflection of the sky’s colours on the surface of the water and at the same time light up the jellyfish with flashes. Moon jellyfish are common in all oceans and are easily recognised by their four rings, which are in fact their genitals.
Location: Tromsø, Northern Norway
A pair of lionesses devotedly groom one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Early in the morning, Mark watched as these lionesses groomed one of their five cubs in their territory in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The evening before they’d set off to hunt, leaving the cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes. Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they’d called the cubs out onto the open grassland. Females raise each other’s cubs as their own, sharing parenting duties. Here the youngster was clearly enjoying the moment of affection and attention.
Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya
A mesmerising mass of starlings swirl into the shape of a giant bird on their way to communal roosts above the city of Rome, Italy. Daniel was mesmerised by the movements of the starlings as they formed colossal organic shapes in the sky. Each day, as they returned from foraging, they would gather in large numbers and perform spellbinding aerial shows, known as murmurations, on their flight home to their communal roosts. In a bid to locate the best roosting sites at which to capture the spectacle, Daniel spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome. Finally, on this cloudless winter’s day, the flock didn’t disappoint, swirling into the shape of a giant bird.
Location: The city of Rome, Italy
A Balkan pond turtle shares a moment of peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley. Tzahi was positioned in his hide in Israel’s Jezreel Valley photographing shore birds when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water. At first, he wasn’t interested in it and carried on watching the birds. It wasn’t until a northern banded groundling dragonfly flew past his lens in the direction of the turtle that his focus changed. The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose, but instead of snapping up the insect, the turtle appeared to be experiencing pleasure from the interaction as they shared a moment of peaceful coexistence in the midst of the swamp’s murky waters.
Location: Jezreel Valley, Israel
Houston’s thriving photography community will be celebrated at Houston Center for Photography’s 43rd Print Auction & Dinner. This event, which supports Houston Center for Photography exhibitions, educational initiatives and community programs, is set to take place next Thursday, February 15 at Hotel ZaZa in the heart of the city’s museum district.
This year’s auction honors Gay Block, a founding member of HCP and acclaimed portrait photographer. Her work explores identity and community, capturing the essence of her subjects in a way that is truly breathtaking. Her landmark series, Rescuers: Portraits of Moral Courage in the Holocaust, has been exhibited internationally at venues which include the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
As a founding member of HCP, Block was instrumental in the growth of the organization and served as one of the first board presidents. Although she no longer lives in Houston, the organization remains close to her heart. Block has remained active in the Houston art world too. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston holds the largest collection of her work, and the University of Houston will receive her archives, which include proof prints, negatives and contact film sheets.
As for the auction. . . There will be 81 lots available for bid, consisting of 70 photographs, six objects, four books and one portfolio. These include four lots from Magnum photographers, a handful from Houston Center for Photography instructors and a strong showing from photographers throughout the state of Texas.
The live auction will include 26 lots, and the other 55 are part of the silent auction. The live auction will surely be spirited, with Ruth Mauldin returning as the auctioneer.
Usually, the live auction is only available to those at the dinner, but for the first time this year HCP is allowing bidding by proxies, a practice recognized by auction houses. The bidding process for the silent auction is streamlined and available online through Qtego.
As an art advisor, I research and place artwork for clients while trying to educate. Here are my Top 10 Picks for the HCP auction:
Untitled, 1982-85, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-300×243.jpg 300w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-1024×828.jpg 1024w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-768×621.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-1536×1242.jpg 1536w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-2048×1656.jpg 2048w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GayBlock_lot126-600×485.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px”>This auction would not be complete without a portrait by honoree Gay Block. This piece — one of two Block works in the auction — is from her Miami series, in which she photographs Jewish retirees in South Beach in the 1980s. I adore the two elderly women chatting in the beach chairs with their hands folded in their laps, while Miami’s iconic blue sky, palm trees and Art Deco architecture stretch out in the distance.
Satin Shoes, Fashion Week, 2019, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-DinaLitovsky_lot104.jpg 1000w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-DinaLitovsky_lot104-300×214.jpg 300w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-DinaLitovsky_lot104-768×548.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-DinaLitovsky_lot104-316×225.jpg 316w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-DinaLitovsky_lot104-600×428.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px”>This photograph of a model’s raw and blistered feet in yellow slingback heels by Dina Litovsky went viral when it was posted by National Geographic on Instagram in 2022, triggering a heated discussion about beauty standards and the fashion industry. Many women can relate to the ordeal of wearing painful shoes, and this visceral photograph captures exactly that.
Hot Yellow Clouds, Monument, 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-scaled.jpg 1723w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-202×300.jpg 202w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-689×1024.jpg 689w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-768×1141.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-1034×1536.jpg 1034w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-1378×2048.jpg 1378w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MartinWannam_lot108-600×892.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1723px) 100vw, 1723px”>Artist Martín Wannam critically examines and reimagines his homeland of Guatemala. The artist uses stickers and emblems sourced from Guatemala and cut-out plexiglass acrylic in this mixed-media piece. The bright colors and whimsical style belie the profound nature of the work.
Astros, 2024 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YaelMartinez_lot116.jpg 2560w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YaelMartinez_lot116-300×200.jpg 300w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YaelMartinez_lot116-1024×682.jpg 1024w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YaelMartinez_lot116-768×511.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/YaelMartinez_lot116-600×399.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px”>Magnum photographer Yael Martinez recently led a class at HCP on community. While in Houston, he made this unique piece specifically for the auction. The figure wearing the Astros jersey while wrapped in the American flag is truly emblematic of the Bayou City. What makes the photograph especially exciting is that the print has been manipulated through cuts and folds, and held in place by silver pins that stick out quite sculpturally.
AA 2408 – OVER CALIFORNIA – 02/01/2017, 4:47 PM, 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120.jpg 1000w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120-300×300.jpg 300w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120-150×150.jpg 150w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120-768×768.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120-600×600.jpg 600w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/StuartAllen_lot120-100×100.jpg 100w” sizes=”(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px”>I am incredibly intrigued by this photograph by Stuart Allen, whose work explores perception and time. This photograph was initially taken through the window of an airplane on an iPhone. The artist then applied an algorithm that breaks down the snapshot into a grid of small dots, so that a record of the color of atmospheric light remains.
Sunburned GSP#1069 (Olympics), 2022 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-ChrisMcCaw_lot121.jpg 810w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-ChrisMcCaw_lot121-243×300.jpg 243w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-ChrisMcCaw_lot121-768×948.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-ChrisMcCaw_lot121-600×741.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px”>Chris McCaw is internationally recognized for his unique approach to contemporary landscape photography. Sunburned GSP#1069 (Olympics) records the passage of time through the movement of the sun in a handmade large-format camera. Due to the lengthy exposure time, this unique gelatin silver paper negative has been solarized in the camera, reversing the tonality of the landscape.
Lionel Richie, 2018 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MarkSink_lot129.jpg 596w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-MarkSink_lot129-198×300.jpg 198w” sizes=”(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px”>This fun, unique gelatin silver photograph of Lionel Richie was taken by Mark Sink in the early 1980s, when he worked for Andy Warhol and documented celebrity culture. Sink repurposed this vintage print by adding the vinyl dots, activating the image while exploring memory and time.
Sigo El Camino, 2022 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-scaled.jpg 2044w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-239×300.jpg 239w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-817×1024.jpg 817w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-768×962.jpg 768w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-1226×1536.jpg 1226w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-1635×2048.jpg 1635w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-TroyEzeqielMontes_lot133-600×752.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 2044px) 100vw, 2044px”>Houston-based photographer Troy Ezequiel Montes documents his annual pilgrimages to his ancestral home of El Porvenir, Mexico. This photograph immediately caught my eye due to the artist’s understanding of color and composition, as well as the extreme shadows that slightly obscure the figure’s face.
SeoulFlowers&Trees_n°71, 2018, printed 2024 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BrigitteBauer_lot149.jpg 750w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BrigitteBauer_lot149-225×300.jpg 225w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BrigitteBauer_lot149-600×800.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px”>This piece by Brigitte Bauer is about the act of viewing and being viewed. The park in the photograph is surrounded by a wall printed with a black-and-white image, likely of the park itself. A square window in the wall allows the passerby to peek in, revealing a burst of soft greens and a tree trunk rising from the ground. In the midst of the tree’s beautiful branches is a pole with cameras, watching and recording. I particularly like this photograph for its peculiarity and how it provoked my continued contemplation of surveillance.
Hackney Picturehouse, London, 2020, printed 2023 (Courtesy Houston Center for Photography)” srcset=”https://www.mecreates.com/story/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SamuelRyde_lot156.jpg 667w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SamuelRyde_lot156-200×300.jpg 200w, https://www.papercitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SamuelRyde_lot156-600×900.jpg 600w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”>Samuel Ryde is a British photographer who captures often-overlooked items of the everyday. Hackney Picturehouse, London is part of a fascinating study of hand dryers throughout the world. I’m a fan of Ryde’s photography and have included his work in exhibitions, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this piece in the auction.
The Houston Center for Photography’s 43rd Print Auction will take place next Thursday, February 15 at Hotel ZaZa. The lots are available to see in person at the Houston Center for Photography galleries through this Sunday, February 11. For more information and tickets, go here. View lots and register here. If you would like to bid on a live lot but are unable to attend in person, contact [email protected]
Author’s note: Haley Berkman Karren is an art advisor, appraiser, independent curator and writer who has contributed to the Houston Center for Photography’s Spot Magazine as well as juried the HCP exhibition, “Learning Curve 11.” She is also the founder and director of Karren Art Advisory, specializing in modern and contemporary art, photography and digital art.
Nima Sarikhani/Wildlife Photographer of the YearA stunning image of a young polar bear drifting to sleep on an iceberg, by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani, has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
“Sarikhani’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet,” Natural History Museum director Dr Douglas Gurr said.
“His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.”
Sarikhani made the image after three days searching for polar bears through thick fog off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.
Wildlife photography and nature fans from around the world were invited to vote from a short list of 25 images.
Four other outstanding finalists were “highly commended”.
The Happy Turtle, by Tzahi Finkelstein
Tzahi Finkelstein/WPYTzahi Finkelstein was in his hide, photographing shore birds, when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water.
The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose.
Starling Murmuration, by Daniel Dencescu
Daniel Dencescu/WPYDaniel Dencescu spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome, Italy.
Finally, on the cloudless winter’s day, the flock, swirled into the shape of a giant bird.
Shared Parenting, by Mark Boyd
Mark Boyd/WPYTwo lionesses had gone hunting, leaving the pride’s five cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes, in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Mara.
Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they called the cubs out on to the open grassland and began grooming.
Aurora Jellies, by Audun Rikardsen
Audun Rikardsen/WPYSheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun Rikardsen used his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during a single exposure, as moon jellyfish swarmed in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø, in northern Norway, illuminated by the aurora borealis.
The five images will be displayed online and at London’s Natural History Museum until 30 June.
All photos copyright Wildlife Photographer of the Year
A dreamy image of a polar bear drifting to sleep on a ‘bed’ carved into an iceberg has been voted the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award (WPY).
It was taken by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani while exploring Norway’s Svalbard archipelago on an expedition ship. She beat four highly commended finalists to claim the crown.
The 25 images in the running for this year’s People’s Choice Award received a record number of votes, with over 75,000 wildlife photography and nature fans from around the world casting their ballots to name Nima this year’s winner.
Nima captured her remarkable picture – called ‘Ice Bed’ – after three days searching for polar bears in thick fog. The expedition vessel she was on decided to change course and headed towards an area of sea ice. Here they encountered two polar bears.
Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve out a bed for himself. Nima captured the dreamlike moment the young bear drifted off to sleep.
Director of the Natural History Museum, Dr Douglas Gurr, said: ‘Nima’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet. His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.’
Nima says: ‘I am so honoured to have won this year’s People’s Choice award for WPY, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition. This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it.
‘Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope – there is still time to fix the mess we have caused.’
The work of the four other finalists spanned the globe to depict nature at its most miraculous.
Mark Boyd, from Kenya, submitted ‘Shared Parenting’. It shows a pair of lionesses devotedly grooming one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
For ‘Aurora Jellies’, finalist Audun Rikardsen, from Norway, photographed two moon jellyfish in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway, illuminated by the aurora borealis. It’s common for this species to gather in their hundreds under the Northern Lights.
‘The Happy Turtle’, by finalist Tzahi Finkelstein from Israel, shows a Balkan pond turtle sharing a moment of fascinating peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley.
‘Starling Murmuration’, meanwhile, by Daniel Dencescu shows a mesmerising mass of starlings swirling into the shape of a giant bird on their way to communal roosts above Rome, Italy.
Wildlife Photographer of the year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Images entered into the 60th competition are currently being judged by an international panel of experts.
The winners will be announced at the next annual awards ceremony, which takes place in South Kensington in October 2024.
Visitors can see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition until 30 June, 2024, at the Natural History Museum.
