What are young photographers up to in the 21st century? How do they see the world? How much do they respect, build on, or reject tradition? As the digital revolution continues its relentless advance, demolishing longstanding practices in every domain of the photography field, curiosity builds as to how the new generation of photographers will react. Will some remain in the darkroom, or will they all migrate to the digital lab? The reGeneration project – the broadest and most enterprising survey of its kind – was set out in 2005 to discover answers to these intriguing questions and to preview the work of young photographers who may well emerge as some of the finest artists of their generation.

The most promising candidates were selected from some 700 entries submitted by 120 of the world’s top photography schools. ReGeneration2 showcases the inspiring creativity and ingenuity of 80 young photographers who together represent 48 photography and art schools from 25 different countries. The themes presented range from urban environment and globalization, to issues of identity and memory, and the photographers' hybrid techniques which allow them to obscure as never before the distinction between reality and fiction.

The resulting exhibition reveals the flexibility of young photographers as they pass fluidly from one genre to another, and/or one technique to another. Impressive also is their mobility, as a European studies in China, a Japanese studies in the US, and a Peruvian in Europe. These youthful practitioners of extraordinary talent are already well on their way to making their mark.

The photo exhibition is produced by the Musée de l’Elysée of Lausanne, Pékin Fine Arts Gallery and Caochangdi Photo Spring, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in China and Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council.