University of St Andrews

Update 19 May 2009: Opening Reception Group Photo

Jack Few; Grace Cheng; Professor Rob Gray; Annika Heeck; Professor Peter McKiernan, Head of School; Marina Roeloffs von Hademstorf; Alexandra Ross, International Curator and Competition Judge; Catherine Bowden, Exhibition Curator

An exhibition of photographs representing ideas on the future of management in the current economic crisis is about to open in St Andrews' The Gateway. This is the second annual exhibition showcasing the winning entries by both staff and students of the Management School who have taken original photographs interpreting the theme into their own ideas on the subject. This exhibition has something for everyone, whether you are interested in photography or management, and is a great demonstration of the creativity of the School of Management.

The annual project stemmed from a Management School decision to document the creativity of students and their ideas on the future of management for the University's 600th anniversary. The current financial and economic crisis, as Peter McKiernan (Head of the School of Management) explains, has made the competition even more interesting this year as it 'has presented new challenges for managers. In some organisations, markets might dry up, cash flows tighten and rationalisation becomes the order of the day. For others, the crisis presents an opportunity to test their entrepreneurial flair by buying up the assets of troubled entities, extending customer lists or acquiring new technologies cheaper than in previous times. But the secret for both sets of organisations is to manage the short run while keeping their eyes on the long term horizon so laying down good strategies now to deal with futures as they metamorphose into better times. Our photographic competition this year captures the perceptions of staff and students about these futures through the eye of the camera lens - to some, the pathway is clearly lit and to others, it is a mesmerising fog with no visible signposts. I think they have captured our current world creatively and interpreted a tough brief with flair and energy.'

The works themselves consist of a diverse range of compositions and subject matter; from classic cars, to searching through the fog, to a 'credit crunch burger' sign! Ideas have been based around such ideas as the way we perceive the business environment, the current uncertainty of the future, and the move from west to eastern business emphasis...

The photographs were judged by professional photographer Ross Maclean, international curator Alexandra Ross, the head of the Management School Peter McKiernan, and Mindy Grewar (Institute for Capitalising on Creativity). The school has linked with the Art History department via the curator of the exhibition Catherine Bowden who studies joint honors Management and Art History at the University of St Andrews.

An official opening of the exhibition will take place on Tuesday 19th May 2009, 1.15 - 1.50 pm on the third floor of the Gateway building. Alongside guest speakers, the event will include a short prize-giving ceremony and wine reception. All are welcome.

Exhibition hours are Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Admission is free.

For enquiries, contact catbowden@gmail.com