I PROMISED NOTHING

when i die let it be known that i promised nothing and somehow delivered less just like expected and i fucking loved it

east berlin tings

East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art East Berlin and it’s political street art

Born in Durban, and raised by Mauritian and South African parents my culture and ethnicity have always been an integral part of who I am. Currently studying as a fashion communication pathway student on foundation; the notion of being able to communicate one’s ambition and personality through presentation and individual style is something fascinates me. To me our selfimage is a coded message in itself descriptive of our ambition and attitude. I identify with a bold, hybrid street style that is a synthesis of vintage and streetwear building on the current uprising of ‘90’s Heroin Chic’ revival. I continue to explore my identity, cultural and personal through clothes and accessories that have allowed me to project the optimised version of myself celebrating my heritage, a mix of East and West’.

What inspired you to document the streets of Berlin?

Something I pride myself in as an artist is my versatility, I have explored numerous avenues of styling, garment making, painting, illustration etc. However, photography and documentation of cultural microcosms and trends has always been something I have wished to do more of. Thus, I saw my trip to Berlin as the perfect opportunity to expand in this area and ameliorate my skills simultaneously.

What is it about Berlin’s grunge aesthetic you find interesting?

Berlins grunge aesthetic was so uniquely appealing to me as it was different to any other city I’d ever visited. Whilst London’s grunge scene translates to me as much more of a heritage aesthetic, Berlin is an amalgamation of all the different cultures and groups that find their home in the city. The landscape has a gritty realness to it that felt familiar to my role of the tourist and the street art culture one can find here is truly unparalleled, a form of art I’ve begun to appreciate a lot more after my trip. 72

Do you think street art culture is an important part of youth expression and does it send a message about society?

Honestly, I’m not 100 percent educated on the involvement of the youth in Berlins thriving street art scene but I can confidently state that there is a message of rebellion coursing its way through the streets. Take the east side gallery for example, the graffiti displayed there expresses discontents and creates awareness of socio-political issues on a local and communal level, ultimately becoming an essential part of the global visual culture. Considering that graffiti is illegal in Berlin, but that it has still earned its title as ‘the graffiti mecca’ is a statement of revolution in itself.

What are the messages behind your images, what are you trying to portray?

I mainly just wanted to showcase the backdrop of the fascinating city that I was visiting; predominantly focusing on the grunge aesthetic prevalent in the East where I was staying. Using my friend Alex who was accompanying me as a primary model I just stopped to document the parts of street art that interested me and that I felt encapsulated the essence of the amazing city I was in. My documentation was rather personal and casual, I wasn’t too careful with staging my scenes and rather focused on capturing the moment and enjoying myself.