PRESS KIT THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT

Transcription

1 PRESS KIT THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT Content Overview page The Impossible Project 2 The Analog Instant Films 3 The Impossible Project Spaces 4 The History 5 The Founders 6 Press Contact For further inquiries, details, questions, interview requests or photos please contact: Impossible Press Office Marlene Kelnreiter marlene@the-impossible-project.com T F

2 RE-INVENTING PHOTOGRAPHY THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT Impossible passionately invents and manufactures new analog instant films for classic Polaroid 600, SX 70 and Image/Spectra camera models as well as for 8x10 cameras at the former Polaroid production plant in Enschede, The Netherlands. In a digital 21 st century, Impossible prevents millions of perfectly functioning Polaroid cameras from becoming obsolete, changes the world of photography and keeps variety, tangibility and analog creativity and possibilities alive. Since its inception, Impossible has attracted interest from worldwide media. Stories have been published in The New York Times, Monocle, The Observer, Financial Times, Wired and Le Monde among others proving that even in our digital age, the fascination for the magic of analog instant photography is still alive and well. Page 2/2

3 THE ANALOG INSTANT FILMS The new analog instant films by Impossible have been invented and manufactured by the Impossible team in Eschede, all films are based on a new film recipe and consist of 31 new components. Set apart from the highly standardized and traditional Polaroid films, Impossible films push analog instant photography beyond all traditional limits and offer a broad new range of possibilities, characteristics and results. Since March 2010 Impossible presents both black & white and color films for the most popular Polaroid cameras 600, SX 70 and Image/Spectra/1200 cameras. Beyond Impossible produces 8x10 large format instant film for 8x10 cameras using the original Polaroid 8x10 holder and processor. The current range of the basic Impossible instant films consist of the following materials: Impossible also creates limited special film editions together with carefully selected partners such as Ace Hotel NYC, colette Paris, Huge or Milk X magazine. Page 3/3

4 THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT SPACES Impossible s ambitions reach far beyond the production of instant films. Several collaborations and projects are dedicated to supporting and promoting analog instant photography amongst artistic and photographic communities. Impossible has opened Project Spaces in New York City (USA), Paris (France), Tokyo (Japan), Vienna (Austria) and Warsaw (Poland). Impossible Project Spaces serve as a vivid hub for analog instant photography - beyond carrying all available analog films and cameras, a wide range of exhibitions, workshops and artistic projects are on view at every Impossible location. View a schedule of current exhibitions at Impossible Project Spaces and Partner Stores at A list of dedicated Impossible Partner Stores as well as dealers worldwide can be found at Page 4/4

5 THE HISTORY Don t undertake a project unless it s manifestly important and nearly impossible. Edwin Land, founder of Polaroid On June 14, 2008, Polaroid held a closing event at its last intact film production plant located in Enschede, The Netherlands. There, analog instant film enthusiast and online distributor Florian Kaps met the former Polaroid production manager André Bosman. Together they decided that they would try anything so save analog instant photography from extinction. They launched The Impossible Project with one concrete aim: To keep the magic of analog instant photography alive by inventing and producing new instant film materials for Vintage Polaroid cameras. Impossible saved the last Polaroid production plant in Enschede (NL) literally days before it was to be demolished, and engaged the most experienced team of integral film experts worldwide who started their work in October In order to carry instant film production into the 21st century Impossible s team had to find new solutions for replacing and upgrading problematic or unavailable components. The mission was not to re-build Polaroid film but instead to develop a new product with new characteristics. In March 2010 Impossible announced that analog instant photography was saved and introduced its first new instant film materials for classic Polaroid cameras. Since then a wide range of monochrome as well as color film materials for classic Polaroid SX 70, 600 and Image/Spectra cameras has been introduced as well as a new 8x10 large format instant film. Page 5/5

6 THE FOUNDERS DR. FLORIAN KAPS Founder & CMO In 2001 Dr. Florian Kaps first dove into the magic of analog photography as a leading manager of the Lomographic Society, developing their worldwide online community and shop platform. Attracted by the exercise of running into the opposite direction since his childhood, he reacted to the digital revolution by founding a strictly analog company, establishing today s largest network of everything related to instant photography in the world. What started as nothing more than pure unruly analog love soon turned out to be an essential mission: The Impossible Project finally led to the re-invention of a completely new instant film system, making his analog dreams come true. ANDRÉ BOSMAN Founder & COO André joined Polaroid in November 1980 as a product and process engineer, quickly rising to manager of engineering and an integral member of the management team. Among his achievements at Polaroid are the creation of many specialty films including: Pre-exposed film, Logo film, Printed masks and dark slides, Lottery film, TZ blend film, TZ Artistic and Spectra Image Soft Tone. In June 2008 André met Florian at the closing event of the Polaroid factory and after 2 beers and 2 hours of intense discussions he decided to take action against the death of instant photography. Within just one year André and his Impossible team developed a completely new Instant film system, writing a new chapter in the history of photography. Page 6/6

7 CHRISTIAN LUTZ Founder & CEO IMPOSSIBLE CAMERA Christian studied industrial engineering in Vienna and completed the OPM-Program at Harvard Business School. He has over 15 years experience as entrepreneur and as executive manager in the Internet, media and communication industries. After studying he started 1992 his first software-company. Since then he founded several start-ups and grew them successfully to larger companies. Many times he raised funds from VCs and concluded several exits, including to NASDAQ-listed companies. In 2005 he fell in love with Polaroid, when he helped Florian to boot his Polanoid-Business. His passion on working with investors, building up teams, managing the business and driving innovation are the reasons why he is excited to be part of this venture. Page 7/7