Project Pitch for the European Press Prize on April 22, 2024.
I was chosen to be one of ten pitches presented to the European Press Prize on April 22, 2024. This was a great opportunity for me to get feedback from journalists: Tina and Elena, which really helped me improve my project further.
For the presentation this Monday with journalists from EPP, their feedback significantly enhanced the scope and depth of my project. They suggested engaging with manufacturers and artists who prioritize environmental issues, a recommendation that has opened new research avenues and deepened the relevance of my work. This advice proved invaluable, prompting me to explore these additional perspectives, which enriched my understanding and broadened the impact of my project.
Through these expanded interviews, I gained fresh insights into the intersection of art, manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. This not only advanced my project but also sharpened my skills in interviewing techniques and critical thinking. Engaging directly with diverse stakeholders—beyond artists and collectors—provided me with a more comprehensive view of the environmental footprints left by art toys. This new knowledge is useful in addressing and highlighting often-overlooked problems within the industry.
A challenge I encountered was the initial focus of my interviews, which were limited to artists and collectors discussing art toys without considering environmental suggestions. This limitation became noticeable only after the interviews were concluded. However, the feedback from Monday’s presentation shaped me to focus more on further research into environmental impacts, prompting me to reevaluate and expand my approach to include these crucial elements.
The process has been a compelling journey of discovery and improvement, prompting me to dive deeper into both my current research and future projects. I am grateful for the constructive feedback from the EPP journalists, which has not only improved this project but also equipped me with valuable insights and skills for my continuing professional development.
Feedback from Emanuele (EPP)
“I see a reportage! Why are people so drawn to this? But also very interesting to look into how they are produced. Toys look slick and funny but then you look at the PVC, and it’s an ugly material, very polluting, produced in a very unpoetic way. A very powerful experiment would be looking at the toy before and after the reportage. Would users look at the toy in the same way? What can the impact be? Regulation? More awareness?”