Subbacultcha Belgium May/June 2022 by Subbacultcha

20-something May / June 2022

Kleine Crack, shot by Jente Waerzeggers

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editor’s note contributors agenda

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20-something Agneskena Mustaf Ahmeti Othi Berry Emilia Chinwe Brys Aurelie Mahanzi Amat Gueye Amber Dewaele Deveny Faruque Lauren Liz Chanelle & Jennifer Lys Karell Izere Samuel Lemba Malique Fye Panadda Manarata Mankiyan Metouka Aminata Ndow Pol Oliver Naomi Rami Brahim Tall Jana Uzoeghelu Sean van Echelpoel

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Gallery Hopping Tours @ Antwerp Art Weekend

5 tours langs 20 locaties 27, 28 en 29 mei meer info op kunstaanzet.be 6

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What do you see when you envision the future of the Belgian creative scene? For us, we see diverse, unique perspectives, representative of the world around us. That is exactly why we have been working on our 20-something issues since 2014. These June editions feature 20 people in their (pre-)twenties who are a guide, an inspiration or an Earlybird for the young generation of today in Belgium. It is the greatest honour to step into the minds of some of the most innovative young people in Belgium; and learn about their dreams, fears, inspirations and even their celebrity crushes. This year’s list was co-curated with Kevin Kotahunyi, founder of Please Add Color and curator of the BHM Belgium 2022

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exhibition. Kevin founded this artistic and curatorial platform in May 2019. When he entered the art industry in 2018, he discovered that only 1% of visual art students in Antwerp were Black. Proper guidance for these aspiring artists was also lacking. The broader ethos of Please Add Color is one of collaboration, accessibility, progress, and collective support. There seems to be a great need for critical thinking and understanding of what perspectives this new ethos in the arts can breed. These 20 artists are among those thinking and facilitating important conversations. They are also the ones at the forefront, finding and enacting solutions through individual practices and collaboration. So join us as we listen and learn from this generation of talented changemakers. Words by Dlisah Lapidus Thank you Kevin, Mustaf, Othi, Emilia, Aurelie, Amat, Amber, Deveny, Jennifer, Lauren, Agneska, Samuel, Malique, Panadda, Mankiyan, Metouka, Aminata, Pol, Naomi, Brahim, Jana & Sean Your editor-in-chief, Herlinde

Dlisah Lapidus is a co-founder, writer, editor and artist at @ junkdumpmag in NYC. @junkdumpmag in NYC. She has been writing and editing at Subbacultcha Belgium since the beginning of her internship in September till now. The work on this magazine is coming mostly from her hands! @dlisahlapidus

Kevin Kotahunyi is the founder of Please Add Color and curator of the BHM Belgium 2022 exhibition. PAC is artist-run and dedicated to young POC artists & creatives and guides them in their first steps within the creative sector and art world. By linking the right people, setting up exhibitions and working out collaborations, PAC offers them a platform to take the next step in their careers. This year’s 20-something list was co-curated with Kevin. @pleaseaddcolor

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Emma Raymaekers is a graphic designer based in Ghent. She graduated in 2020 from KASK School of Arts Ghent and did her internship at Het Balanseer (publisher). She is a collaborator at Bebe Books and is part of HS71 collective. She will be designing your Subbacultcha magazines from now on! @emaraai

Herlinde Raeman manages all the content (text and visuals) that appears in the magazine and online at Subbacultcha Belgium. As the editor-in-chief, she is always looking for new artists, photographers, writers, and other interesting people to showcase on the Subba channels. She’s a lucky girl as she has a great team of freelancers, volunteers, and interns who all help to make this happen. @herr_linde

Contributing photographers: Agneskena (@agneskeAgneskena na_visuals), Adel Setta (@ (@agneskena_visuals), Adel mellunman), Setta (@mellunman), Emilia Chinwe Emilia Brys (@emilia.chinwe), Chinwe Brys Elena Pavlyukiva, IsabelleElena (@emilia.chinwe), Arthuis, Oriane Verstraeten Pavlyukiva, Isabelle Arthuis, (@ orianeverstraeten_), Oriane Verstraeten Abdul Faruque (@abdulfaruque), (@orianeverstraeten_), Abdul Noé Znidarsic Faruque (@abdulfaruque), (@znnnidar), @salutcaroul, Noé Znidarsic (@znnnidar), Hannah Brugge (@h_brugge), @salutcaroul, Hannah Brugge Gerald Stevens (@grldstvns), (@h_brugge), Gerald Stevens Patrick J. Roovers (@grldstvns), Patrick (@hashira. J. films), Luka Roovers (@hashira.films), Lazhu (@luka. lazhuli), Luka Lazhu Jerre(@luka.lazhuli), (@jerrre), Mistral Jerre (@jerrre), GuidottiMistral (@mistral. guidotti),(@mistral.guidotti), Guidotti Aminata Ndow (@ aminatopoeia), Aminata Ndow Gaëlle Mwb (@gaelle.mwb), Mathias (@aminatopoeia), Gaëlle Dewaegenaere Mwb (@gaelle.mwb), (@mathias_ Mathias dwgnr), Tania Lubanzadio Dewaegenaere (@taniajpg_), Tim Evers (@mathias_dwgnr), Tania(@ isjeboytim),(@taniajpg_), Lubanzadio Dandy FuegoTim (@ dandyfuego), Evers (@isjeboytim), Nicolaas Dandy De Causmaecker Fuego (@dandyfuego), (@strumpfmacher), Nicolaas Elko DeVan Causmaecker Raemdonck (@elkovanraemdonck), (@strumpfmacher), ElkoSean Van Van Raemdonck Echelpoel (@seanvanechelpoel) (@elkovanraemdonck), & Lionel Dury Sean (@ lionel_dury) Van Echelpoel (@seanvanechelpoel) & Lionel Dury (@lionel_dury) 9

DEMOCRAZY MUZIEKCLUB GENT 06.05

AKSAK MABOUL + AYA SUZUKI + LAETITIA SADIER

06.05

WHORSES

11.05

FLIP KOWLIER

11.05

EVERYTHING UK: PETER DOHERTY

12.05

EVERYTHING UK: GWENIFER RAYMOND + ERIC CHENAUX

13.05

HUNA: LE MOTEL, BONA LEA, MURKIE

14.05

ASPHALT: GIGI FM, LULU, TIMMERMAN

17.05

DANIEL ROSSEN + CLARA MANN

18.05

PANDA DUB + ROOTS RAID

18.05

STUFF. + DISHWASHER_

18.05

WILD RIVERS + AXEL FLOVENT

18.05

EVERYTHING UK: SIPHO + PORCELAIN ID

CHARLATAN

19.05

EVERYTHING UK: LIME GARDEN + BOBBI LU

CHARLATAN

20.05

EVERYTHING UK: LOUNGE SOCIETY

CHARLATAN

20.05

EVERYTHING UK: ALABASTER DE PLUME

21.05

EVERYTHING UK: GOLD PANDA

25.05

GAISHA

27.05

WILLY ORGAN

02.06

BERT DOCKX

09.06

THE ZENMENN + CHERI MOYA

15.06

MIPSO

16.06

REYMOUR + VICTOR DE ROO

THERESIA

22.06

HTRK

THERESIA

15.07

BOOMTOWN

21.07

DE KOER CHARLATAN DE VOORUIT HANDELSBEURS THERESIA CHINASTRAAT AMIGO HANDELSBEURS DE VOORUIT HANDELSBEURS TREFPUNT

THERESIA CHARLATAN THERESIA CHARLATAN THERESIA THERESIA BAR MIRWAAR

HANDELSBEURS

OPERA + DE KOUTER

DEMOCRAZY.BE 10

20 May

Hear Here: Vica Pacheco + Maika Garnica Leuven, Casco (STUK)

22 May Modern Nature Antwerp, De Roma 1 May

Les Nuits Botanique: Iglooghost + Ouri + BABii Brussels, Botanique

2 May Ethan P. Flynn + Famous Brussels, Botanique

23 May Meth Math Brussels, Botanique 2 June

Finally! Mesher + The Rats + Kalaallit Ghent, De Roes

5 May Ikraaan Antwerp, Het Bos

16 June Machine Girl + NAH Brussels, Botanique

6 May Aksak Maboul + Laetitia Sadier Ghent, De Koer

21 June Gents Antwerp, Trix

10 May Joanne Robertson Brussels, Botanique

6 August Different Class Ghent, KASK

14 May OVERLAST Antwerp, De Studio 19 May Sweeping Promises Liege, KulturA (Go With The Flow) 19 May Finally! Moar + Pega + Foods Ghent, De Roes

7 May The Shade with DRKNGHTS Antwerp, Club Capital 11

LES NUITS 2022 27.04 > 16.05 28.04 01.05 02.05 03.05 07.05 07.05 09.05 10.05 11.05 13.05 14.05 14.05

HOLY OTHER - YAMILA IGLOOGHOST - OURI - BABII ETHAN P. FLYNN - FAMOUS ARMAND HAMMER PC MUSIC LABEL NIGHT BOTA BY NIGHT FT. NYEGE NYEGE & POSH ISOLATION LIDO PIMIENTA - FABIANA PALLADINO JOANNE ROBERTSON - KEELEY FORSYTH INDIGO DE SOUZA - TIBERIUS B ASCENDANT VIERGE - COUCOU CHLOÉ CATNAPP - PROMIS3 IC3PEAK TARTA RELENA - CLARA! - DJ PYTHON - BADSISTA

BOTANIQUE.BE 12

7 May

Lifesnacks x Snaak Open Air w/ Lola Haro, Rey Colino, Bafana, Jeudy & Herder Melle, Kasteel De Varens

13 May

Huna w/ Le Motel + Bona Léa + Murkie Ghent, Chinastraat (Democrazy)

14 May Unrhythmic w/ Telephones Liège, Pôle Image 28 May Nacht van de Beeldende Kunst Antwerp, De Studio 17 June Sweaty Palms Antwerp, Het Bos

5 May - 2 June The ABC of Subbacultcha Ghent, S.M.A.K. Until 8 May

Pierre-Philippe Hofmann - Portrait Of A Landscape Brussels, Botanique

Until 15 May

Anthea Hamilton - Mash Up Brussels, Botanique

Until 15 May Brussels Touch Brussels, Fashion & Lace Museum 11 + 12 May Hate Me, Tender Ghent, CAMPO

Until 15 May Rinus Van de Velde Brussels, Bozar (Europalia)

26 May

Until 31 May

23 + 24 June Ferox Tempus Terror At Its Best Brussels, Beursschouwburg

6 June - 21 July Vivian Maier Brussels, Bozar

Ferox Tempus Terror At Its Best Ghent, NTGent

POPART van Warhol tot Panamarenko Ghent, S.M.A.K.

07-17.07 2022 info & tickets: GENTJAZZ.COM VAN MORRISON IBRAHIM MAALOUF SYLVIE KREUSCH AGNES OBEL KAE TEMPEST MELODY GARDOT AVISHAI COHEN TRIO GABRIEL RIOS MESKEREM MEES CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE STING ARCHIE SHEPP & JASON MORAN YOUN SUN NAH CHARLES LLOYD W/ BILL FRISELL SOUNDPRINTS: DAVE DOUGLAS & JOE LOVANO JUDI JACKSON NOVASTAR MAURO MAISHA & GARY BARTZ SOHNARR CHARLOTTE DOS SANTOS & MANY MORE

#GENTJAZZ

Until 7 Aug Same Same But Different Hasselt, Z33 Until 21 Aug Charging Myths Hasselt, Z33 Until 28 Aug Wael Shawky Leuven, M Leuven Until 18 Sept

This Is What You Came For Brussels, CENTRALE for contemporary art

Go shop at Paard Van Troje, Consouling, Art Paper Editions, Hunting and Collecting, Bison 4, Veals & Geeks, & Tipi Bookshop and receive a 10% member discount (online or instore).

Until 30 Oct Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa Leuven, M Leuven

You can enjoy these events for free as a Subbacultcha member. Scan to discover our membership. MUBI As a Subbacultcha member, you can enjoy three months of MUBI entirely free. MUBI is a curated online cinema where you can discover the world’s greatest films.

The ABC of Subbacultcha: A collective encyclopedia of 2021-2022 05 May till 02 June - Ghent, S.M.A.K. Vernissage 05 May Finissage 02 June Free to visit, entrance via the bookshop The still Air before a storm. The Best day of your life. Your Cat curled up on your chest, rising and falling with each breath. Dancing alone in your room in the middle of the night. Your favourite person’s Eyes. The First warm day after a long winter. A time long Gone, to which you can never return. …

How does the Subbacultcha community define the everyday, the extraordinary, and everything in between? For the ABC of Subbacultcha, we invited members to join us in creating a collective encyclopedia of the past 12 months. Together, we share a glimpse of our world: our most treasured visual definitions and the stories behind them. Each work serves as the representation of a concept chosen by the artist, shown through their eyes and hands. By sharing information, ideas and diverse perspectives, we formulate an expansive visual encyclopedia. Reflect on Subbacultcha’s encyclopedic experience, in which everyone with an image, artwork, pen or idea came together to share their view of the past year. In collaboration with S.M.A.K. & zwartopwit Sub_missions is your way to promote your stuff to fellow members and other possible fans! As a Subbacultcha member, we’ll feature you in our magazine, online channels and other projects. Not a member yet? Scan to discover our plans.

💖

Photo shot by @agneskena_visuals

a en

e s n k g

she/her

Visual artist

Brussels

@agneskena_visuals What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I love people but I’m scared of them at the same time. What do you hope to communicate through your photography? Consciously I would say that I want to share a story and a feeling and unconsciously I’m probably trying to share how I look at the world. Is it important for the subject of your photography to be similar to you? Working with people that share the same values makes it easier to connect while working together. It is reassuring when the whole thing just flows without having to force or doubt anything. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? Seeing my lovely goldfish Abra being his beautiful self every time I wake up. I genuinely love him. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? If God grants me more life, I’ll be on the other side of the planet living my best life! What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? When a situation feels uncomfortable and makes you unhappy, most of the time it’s

better to let go than to hold on for any possible reason. Comfort food/speciality dish? Food from my motherland Congo can’t be topped honestly! Give me some makemba, pondu, makayabu, kamundele, thompson, ntaba na kwanga,... hahaha! I also love my Flemish specialities like ‘stoofvlees’ or ‘mosselen met frietjes’. I could eat that every day! Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? My most irrational fear must be that people will read my mind if I let them look into my eyes… The fact that this is a permanent thought in my head when I talk with people is actually problematic because that makes communicating very complicated sometimes. I think that’s why photography became my natural outlet.

Being able to speak every language in the world, must feel great 21

stafAh Mu

meti

pronouns: confused

Artist/performer

Ghent

@Mustaf_Ahmetii What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I’m trying to understand myself within the world through my work, by questioning my boundaries without looking for answers. What makes your heart go faster these days? Working together with my lover on RADICAL HOPE - EYE TO EYE. What’s your personal utopia? A healed world without war. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? The Japanese dance named butoh. What is the latest/future project you are working on? My own performance. In July 2022 I will do a residency in Gouvernement Gent for 1 month, I intend to premiere that piece at the end of 2023. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? To unlearn, deconstruct, act from experience and break the silence by destroying general structures in our society. Comfort food/speciality dish? Culinary vegan/veggie food with fruity white wine. What were you like as a child? Not a child.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Spreading love in this world as glitters fall from the clouds. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? MUSTAV Biggest red flag? Homophobia, transphobia, racism, patriarchy. Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song ‘Touch my skin darling, touch my skin honey, touch all of this skin’

To unlearn, deconstruct, act from experience and break the silence by destroying general structures in our society 23

he/him

Poet, writer, author and designer

Antwerp

@othiberry What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I’ve always bet on myself. What artists are you listening to?/Which records are you playing most right now?/What book are you currently reading?/Which film have you enjoyed lately? Fally Ipupa and Koffi Olomidé 100 by Fally Ipupa Petit Piment by Alain Mabanckou Love Jones What makes your heart go faster these days? Love, and feelings. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? At 9am I’m at work and at 9pm I’m writing, thinking or resting. What’s your personal utopia? I still have to find it. What brings you satisfaction? Peace does that. What is the latest/future project you are working on? I’d like to start writing blog entries. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Joy and inspirations to create more. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? To ask for help.

Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? My granddad. Celebrity crush? Halle Berry Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? To get fat/Fear of heights. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? I’d say Spiderman. What were you like as a child? Very open and joyful. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Time manipulation. What’s the one thing you can’t live without? The ability to pray. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? Summer ‘96 Biggest red flag? Lack of consideration. Biggest dream? To perform in New York.

Berry

Othi

Favourite quote: He who says ‘impossible’ doesn’t know belief, cause he who believes doesn’t know impossibility 25

she/her

Visual artist

Amsterdam & Antwerp

@emilia.chinwe What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I find it really hard to give short answers to questions. How do you relax? A yoga teacher once told me to imagine my inner sun and that really stuck with me. Other than that I like to rollerskate and read. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? Growing up I was interested in a lot of surrealist painters and I think that influenced me greatly. I also find a lot of inspiration in other people, more than they might realise. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? Creating whatever I want with no restrictions. What is the latest/future project you are working on? I’m developing a series about intimacy. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Hopefully a lot of sun soaked moments of happiness. Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life? My mother mostly, I’d say my grandmother too. All the women in my life actually. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? That the things I dislike most about myself might actually also be

the things I like the most and that if you surround yourself with loving people life doesn’t have to be heavy. Comfort food/specialty dish? The texture of mushrooms is comforting to me. I’m also very fascinated by them. You should watch Fantastic Fungi! Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? Someone reviving my brain post mortem while it has been removed from my body. This is my irrational fear because the probability of it happening to me is very low. I acquired this fear by reading an article about the attempt to do this with animal brains so I’m also counting it as my rational one since it might become a possibility one day. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? I’d really like to dress up as a moth, regardless of what the show is about. Biggest red flag? Apathy is the first thing that comes to mind. Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song ‘Graves grow no green that you can use. Remember green’s your color. You are spring’ by Gwendolyn Brooks’ To the young who want to die

Photos shot by @mellunman and @emilia.chinwe

Emilia Ch e Brys inw A space in which we truly feel safe and loved. That is very utopic to me

Aure

Photos shot by @mistral.guidotti

nzi

a M h a e li

The Red Flames team is not diverse, and I want to change that!

18 @cmahanzi What do we and our readers need to know about you? That I am a person with a lot of ambitions, don’t point me down on one project but on several. I am someone with a lot of goals and a strong belief in success. I am also looking for hidden talents, especially coloured girls, all over Belgium. What is it like to be a woman coordinating a male-dominated sport? I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do this, to have the talent and to have no shame for the comments and all those other negative things. I am so sure that I will make this project work. The first tournament went well and I believe the tournaments that are still to come will go even better. What makes your heart go faster these days? When I think about my future. What brings you satisfaction? When I think about everything that my mother did for me. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? The Bible. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? Still something with football and my sisters.

upcoming ballr and organiser of football tournaments Youtube: Cikuru Mahanzi What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? Belief is something that can bring you far. Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? Yes, my girlfriends who also play football and are talented, my sisters who I want to start a project with and upcoming ballrs who don’t get the chance that they deserve. What were you like as a child? A tomboy, always with boys. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Reading other people’s minds, to know what they really think. Biggest red flag? If you’re not honest with me and not say what you think. Biggest dream? To become a professional footballer, organise more tournaments in other countries like France, the Netherlands and do something with my sisters.

he/him

Painter, visual artist

Brussels

@amat_de_la_gueye What do we & our readers need to remember about you? That I’m devoted to understanding art and learning about painting. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? At 9 am I am just waking up. At 9pm I’m probably still in my studio painting, thinking about painting or creating a mess. What’s your personal utopia? I also dream of being old, with long white dreadlocks. How do you relax? Meditating at night or in the morning for 20 minutes. Having lunch alone in a fast food place. Watching the news and thinking. Painting is always on my mind. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? Recently I took my inspiration from the Météo map. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Because I did some shows in the first part of 2022, I hope the second part will give me some feedback about my painting practice. Hopefully, I will travel, meet new people, maybe live in a new city. I also hope to be in less of a hurry and have time to focus on details in my studio, to try new things...

Photo shot by @lionel_dury

What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? To focus on the people who inspire me, motivate me and that I trust. Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? My painting colleagues Naoki Karathanassis, Fabien Karp, Stéphane Abitbol, Martin Bonnaz. Painting is a complex medium, and the art world is a hard area to survive. Comfort food/speciality dish? Mafé <3 I eat it every Tuesday in a hidden place in Molenbeek. Or pâte carbonara, I ate it daily for 10 years, never got bored of it. What were you like as a child? I think I was a cool guy, good at school, half nerdy, half rebel. Kind of a medium guy. What’s the one thing you can’t live without? Hope. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? Surviving in the XXI century by making paintings Biggest dream? Being a multimedia artist, painter, DJ, comedian. Being free as a human by making things you like. Creating a school with a passion to unite people, making good things together. 30

m a A t

ye e u G

We need to give enough air so that colours can breathe and shine

aele

er Dew b m

When I grew up, the crying made way for loud laughing Photos shot by @orianeverstraeten_

she/her

Furniture designer

Antwerp

@amberdewaele What do we & our readers need to remember about you? My work ;) What narrative do you follow when designing? I am seen as someone who seeks simplicity in complexity, both in form and function. The first idea often germinates from a certain material or production process. From the rough idea to the implementation, functionality is the common thread throughout the process. This common thread defines the artistic approach to a functional yet poetic end product. While designing I always try to listen to my inner child. It provides me with a rich source of inspiration. ‘Playfulness’ is therefore often reflected in my designs. What’s your personal utopia? That we all are born with an amazing set of communication skills so everybody would be able to listen to each other and have constructive discussions. How do you relax? Swimming! For me, there is no better way to relax than swimming or just being in the water. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? What I am doing now but on steroids or in other words a fully functioning design studio.

What is the latest/future project you are working on? Currently, I am working on an armchair that will be exposed during Milan Design week in June. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Bigger dreams, more realisations and a lot of new memories. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? Having a morning routine makes me happy and gives me a fresh mind. Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? My biggest fear since I was a little girl is ending up doing a job for the rest of my life that I don’t like. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? The bittersweet life Biggest red flag? Ugly shoes Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song ‘Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something!’ - Winnie The Pooh

she/her

Artist

Antwerp

@deve1000 What do we and our readers need to remember about you? I’m a multimedia artist based in Antwerp who mainly works with video, installation, text and sound. How do you combine digital and physical mediums in your practice? I used to call myself a video artist and installation artist by extent but I feel video in my practice becomes very physical when finished and ready to show. So while lately my work ends in the physical realm, it goes through a lot of digital stages such as filming, editing and programming. It derives a lot of visual codes and symbolism from the entertainment culture, cinema and the way we relate to digital connection. What makes your heart go faster these days? Being on a boat when the sun is low and the sky is clear. I love taking ferries with the bike, even short ferry rides! What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? 9pm or 9am seems an irrelevant hour of the day because every day seems to be different. 9pm in summer is a great postdinner-ice-cream hour! 9am is a good hour to be awake already? What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? I’m enchanted by ancient mythology, especially classical and Hindu mythology, archaeology sites, stone age

artifacts and the whole aesthetics of history conservation. What is the latest/future project you are working on? I am working on a book in which I’m trying to categorise and structure a lot of theories, stories and symbolism I invented in the past years. It’s a project that functions as some kind of backstory lexicon. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? In recent years I’ve made a lot of progress learning coding languages. At first, my skills were quite random and more web design based. Only recently it started to blend in my physical and textual work too. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? My friends have been joking about me being Tecna from Winx Club because I’m so hyped about digital life. I wouldn’t want a cyborg costume though. I could wear tall leather flat boots and a linen dress every day, maybe the uniform could have some Hussein Chalayan-type laser light or glowin-the-dark effect for nighttime adventures. I want a cowboy hat too!

Photo shot by @abdulfaruque ,still by @deve1000

e v e D ny

q u u r e a F

I’m working hard to connect different cultural-linguistic elements through fiction

Photos shot by @znnnidar

nifer Ly n e J s

rell Izere Ka

en Liz r u a L C

nelle a h

she/her

21/24

Artist/ Media Art student

Brussels

@beingwestern/ @16h22/@ngenda__ What do we & our readers need to remember about you? Together: We are two sisters who share an artistic vision. Who work together and love to create. What makes your heart go faster these days? L: We are now entering my favourite season of the year! To wake up in the morning with the sun shining through my window makes my day. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? L: 9am I’m usually slowly waking up, scrolling on Instagram and on the weekend there is a chance I’m getting out of a club looking for an after-party. J: At 9pm I’m probably in my head deciding if I’m going to make dinner or order food. What is the latest/future project you are working on? Together: For our collaborative project (@ngenda__) we want to bring more video content and visual work. But let’s not give away too much and keep it a secret ;-) Comfort food/speciality dish? L: PASTA !!!!! J: Burgers with sweet potatoes on the side have my heart.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without? L: My blue mascara. J: Sparkling water! Biggest dream? J: That my grandmother will have the chance to see my work exhibited in an art gallery! What projects are you currently working on? Together: We are currently working on new projects on our platform NGENDA (@ ngenda__) that we started a year ago during the lockdown. It’s a way to keep us busy creatively and have the freedom to experiment together, connect with others and share at the same time.

To live in a world where we all get the same chances in life is utopia to us 37

Photos shot by @salucaroul

a mb

uel Le m

he/him

Painter, art student

Brussels

@bodman____ What artists are you listening to?/What book are you currently reading? Oxlade, is a young artist from Niger that I love right now because he breathes music and he is vocally and melodically amazing. My song of the moment is Rexxie’s Frenemies ft. Oxlade. I don’t read, I’m a visual man. The last book I bought is a book by Samuel Jablon, a painter. What brings you satisfaction? Do nothing and focus on what I like to do, free my brain from responsibilities and enjoy this moment of innocence and naivety for a few seconds. When I’m able to do that, I say or do something that turns out to be true or right. My intuition gives me the most satisfaction. What is the latest/future project you are working on? The last project I’m working on questions the idea of representation; who are we and what makes us who we are… with different notions like narcissism, etc... the rest is secret! Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life? My dad, just for his story, his humility and his honesty. He embodies the traditional man in the Modern World for me. My mother taught me what to do to achieve my goals.

Her determination and dedication mean a lot to me. As they say, I have her blood in my veins. Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? Leon Uno is a very talented young painter who works with me in the studio. His approach to painting is very remarkable, sensitive and very subtle. He is a young man to follow and check out!! What’s the one thing you can’t live without? My thoughts, that may seem strange to some, but taking shelter in my thoughts is something essential to me. Biggest dream? Staying alive even when I am no longer on earth. That is to say, I hope my works and my art remain an inspiration for many others.

Remember my honesty and ability to be unassuming

she/her

Artist/model

Ghent

@madame.malique What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I’ve got the best booty in town! What makes your heart go faster these days? Boys! I don’t know if it’s hormones or the spring sunshine, but I’m feeling butterflies in my stomach and vagina. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? I would love to be working as a theatre maker making both theatres for kids, and some more autobiographical work! Maybe write a book? Being treated like a princess by a handsome guy? Being a mom? What is the latest/future project you are working on? A future work I’m really excited about is my Master’s graduation performance at Kask. It will be a theatrical self-portrait! It’ll be about my experience as a black trans woman in a heteronormative society, but also about love, and what makes life beautiful! It’s due in 2 years so I’ve got some time to make it gorgeous! Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life? Big question! Probably my dad. I look up to him and love him very much. He’s been my example from when I was still a little boy to now, an independent grown woman that I know he is proud of!

What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? That happiness is real and so is love and so is passion and magic and all the good things! Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? Musia Mwankumi (@musia.m)! She’s amazing in so many ways! Also, my friends are the most talented people in the world, so go to my Instagram and find gems in my following list!!! Look out for @holysaintbavoofghent, @joshuasmits, @renee_leerman, @arendpeeters, @trance. artscollective, and so many more! If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? The grandiose misfortunes of the luckiest lady alive Biggest dream? I want an insanely beautiful love story, now or in 50 years, just an overwhelming, wild, passionate, tear-jerking, heartfelt, kinda cringy but also a perfect love story!

Fye

u q i l a e

I want an insanely beautiful love story

Photos shot for @trance.artscollective by @h_brugge and @grldstvns

Pana

Photo shot by @hashira.films

ta ara

Man a d d

she/her

Frontend developer

Antwerp

@pndd.a What do we & our readers need to remember about you? My persistence to pursue my dreams and to inspire others to do the same. What makes your heart go faster these days? Humble acts of kindness. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? At 9pm I work, 9am I work for myself. What’s your personal utopia? A world where technology and nature are in balance. Where there is a much slower pace of living and more appreciation for the little things. Comfort food/speciality dish? My grandmothers’ Thai food. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? I would be wearing a different outfit every episode like Totally Spies. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? HTML & CSS for dummies. Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song ‘Everything, in time’ - Pinterest Tell me about being a woman of colour working in technology. It took some time for me to realize what I wanted to do in life. I had a lot of trial and

error before I found my passion for the web. But when my goals were clear I started to research ways to become a web developer. After a while I found a 7-month course to kick start my career and from there on it was a whole journey on its own. I really took a shortcut into getting into the tech business but am still learning every single day. As for women and tech, I think women are more interested in development than a few years back. When I started my course there was a lot of diversity in the group such as gender, age, background, colour, and religion. But when starting to work at companies you can see that there are not a lot of women senior developers nor a lot of diversity. I’m currently working with two other women and 13 men in a team.

You can see that times are slowly changing. But everything in time 43

y a i n k n

Photos shot by @luka.lazhuli & @jerrre

she/her

Brussels

@mmankiyan What makes your heart go faster these days? The days getting longer. What are you doing daily at 9am? Having a hard time getting out of the shower. How do you relax? Watching shitty TV shows like De Verhulstjes. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? Retire. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Hopefully some advancements in music production skills. Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life? Super corny but probably my boyfriend. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? Always double check before removing your USB stick in front of 3000 dancers. You might accidentally unplug your B2B partner’s track-playing stick out of CDJ’s on which there is no emergency loop activated. Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? My confrater Vers, continuously surprising me with his razor-sharp selections. Comfort food? Anything chocolate.

Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? I’m scared of the dark, sometimes rationally sometimes not. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Not needing sleep. What’s the one thing you can’t live without? Feta. Biggest red flag? Mmm, I’m pretty bad at vexillology.

Remembering my name seems like a good start, recently someone called me Myanmar 45

t o e M

a k u

Photo shot by @mistral.guidotti

she/her

Musician

Antwerp

@metouka What do we & our readers need to remember about you? I am a young girl but this year you just have to check my upcoming releases… That will show you why you can not forget about me. Why did you move to Belgium? To make a long story short, my mom wanted to home school us and in the Netherlands, that’s not possible because of the laws there. Are you working on any new music? Yes of course there are tracks that are ready... This year I only want to release things if I am 100% certain about the end result. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? I work a normal job from 9am till 5pm, after that I’m heading straight to the studio. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? I hope my hard work will pay off because since the beginning of this year I’ve been grinding. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? That you have to surround yourself with people who are willing to work for success. That will motivate you to grind harder. Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear? I’m afraid to live life to the fullest but I’m also afraid to die without living it right.

What were you like as a child? I was a shy kid who definitely didn’t like attention… kind of the same as now, haha. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? I would guess something dramatic like; ‘Unbreakable: fallen but full of hope.’ Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song Idk where this quote is from but It just stuck with me: ‘knowledge is power.’

I long for a world where I would be able to ignore the judgement people throw at me 47

she/her

@aminatopoeia What do you see for the future of Black History Month Belgium? Reach even more Black people in Belgium, have the funding to be a professional organisation with our own house for production, creation, collaboration, archiving and caring. What have been the most fulfilling collaborations BHM has achieved? Too hard to choose but I would say any collaboration that resulted in a Black person feeling seen, heard, loved, appreciated, praised and cared for. What makes your heart go faster these days? Good writing, beauty, small kindnesses, Betty Carter’s Beware of my Heart and Etta James’ Feeling Uneasy. What’s your personal utopia? Boundless hope. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? Mold, fermentation, traditional Nubian doors, antique beaded nightshades, old buildings. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? Raising children, doing research, teaching and creating and collaborating in The Gambia. What will the second part of 2022 bring you? Change.

PhD student in African Studies & Anthropology, co-founder of BHM Belgium

Cambridge, MA

What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? That true love is about inspiring each other to live… recognizing how hard living is, how easy it is to lose our passion for it. To remind me that even if I lost everything, I did not lose God. To find hopefulness and reassurance in that. What were you like as a child? Observant, curious, quiet and contemplative If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? How I learned to stop worrying and love the unknown. Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/ song ‘ ‘One of the most durable paradoxes of white supremacy - the idea that those who are closest to an experience of oppression are its least credible witnesses’ Walter Johnson, Soul by soul: life inside the antebellum slave market ‘Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor did He forget you’ Quran, 93:3 ‘And yet there is Someone, whose hands / infinitely calm, hold up all this falling’ Rainer Maria Rilke, tr. by Robert Bly, from Selected Poems 48

n a i ta N m A w do

I yearn for conversation, connection and collaboration Photos shot by @aminatopoeia

Pol

v i l i e O

I hope that in 10 years I’m still hungry for knowledge Photos shot by @gaellemwb

Painter and sculptor

What do we & our readers need to remember about you? If there’s one thing I would like people to remember from my work and my personality is that it’s OK to not have everything figured out. What artists are you listening to?What book are you currently reading? The song I’ve been listening to the most these days is Reggie’s ‘Ain’t Gon Stop Me’ and my favourite book right now is James Barnor: Accra/London - A Retrospective I can’t get enough, his subjects look so effortless. What’s your personal utopia? My personal utopia is to be free. Free to be me. How do you relax? I have the perfect combo to relax. I turn my phone off. I look for a good documentary or a good drama movie. I put it on while I cook. Let the food do what it does in the pot while I roll a joint. The rest is magic. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? I listen to Frank Sinatra’s ‘I love you baby’. It is not a source of inspiration but it’s something I always do when I’m working long hours in the atelier. I don’t know why but there’s something about that song.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? In 10 years I want to be doing exactly what I’m doing now but the better. I hope that in 10 years I’m still hungry for knowledge. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? Recently there was this nice lady called Josi that told me something. ‘On choisit pas la tête qu’on a mais celle qu’on fait’ I know it’s very simple and basic but I also think it’s very deep because we are all born into a situation that sometimes surpasses us. Yet we have to remember that we are responsible for what we do with that situation. Like it or not. What were you like as a child? When I was a child I was always in my head. Constantly dreaming. Sometimes I felt like my surroundings didn’t even matter. I could just dream my way out of places. Biggest dream? It’s not much of a dream for me but more of an objective. I want to be the best artist that I can be. I’ll be one of the greats.

she/her

Visual artist

Brussels

@naomirami_ What attracts you to the human face in your work? What attracts me is everything related to the plot and the strangeness. I am attracted by the cracks, the experience felt in the features, and by the look that transmits without saying a word. How did you begin working with both textile and illustration? At first, I always worked on the figurative, whether through drawing, painting or other and with time I became more and more interested in the medium of textile, materials. I had the desire to materialize graphic elements with textile. I wanted something more malleable than the plaster I was using in the first place. Something that is no longer fixed through the touch. What makes your heart go faster these days? It’s beating faster right now for several reasons but mainly because I feel like I don’t have enough time to work on my projects. What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am? At 9 in the morning, I am on my way to class or workshop and at 9pm I am in my studio working or posing in front of a video. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? In 10 years I would like to be able to continue working on my projects with 10,000 times more ideas by being in a huge workshop somewhere in Tuscany.

Celebrity crush? Certainly Leonardo DiCaprio. Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear My most irrational fear would be to find myself stuck in a dream and my most rational fear is to find myself stuck in a place with no way out. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? My uniform would be all black and I would wear a latex mask depicting my face with three eyes and four ears. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? Between illusion and reality Biggest dream? One of my biggest dreams would be to transform a huge factory into several artists’ studios and where there would be the possibility of working on each medium that makes us want from one minute to the next.

I like to leave room for mistakes and the surprises they bring

Naom

m a iR i

Photos by @mathias_dwgnr and @taniajpg_

Brah

T a m ll i

I’m reading Manifesto ContraSexual, a lovely book about rethinking gender and a whole lot of other things Photos shot by @isjeboytim

he/him

Artist

Brussels

@_brahimtall_ What makes your heart go faster these days? Good cinema, it really is one of the things I do most lately (if I have time)! And climbing. What brings you satisfaction? Making a good meal for my friends and myself! Also finishing a difficult book or a difficult route when climbing. How do you relax? With some me-time to recharge my social battery. What is the latest/future project you are working on? I’m currently working on a film called Tukuleur which will be released in June of 2022. More info soon! What will the second part of 2022 bring you? I want to go live in Dakar for 6 months and explore! What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? French.. kinda.. Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention? Yes, loads of people! My brother: Yaye Daro, Dushime, every one of Noanaos: Susobrino, Ashley Morgan, Pippin, Brikabrak gang, Tim Evers, Stanley Olivier, Fahad Serike, Mischa Dols and Kenny M Ngombe…

Comfort food/speciality dish? Burgers and fries. Or Senegalese dishes like Thieboudienne, Mafe or Yassa! Most irrational fear? I think losing my hair. Most rational fear? For sure white supremacy. If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? Flared pants, crop top and cowboy boots and my hair would be alternating between afro, braids or rows. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Teleportation or something always seemed nice! I wouldn’t be late as much… What’s the one thing you can’t live without? My me-time! If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? The Liquid body Biggest dream? No cars in cities.

ghelu oe

Jana Uz

We’ve been told to protect our outer man while our inner man is dying Photos shot by @dandyfuego and @strumpfmacher

she/her

Culinary creative and intuitive Chef

Ghent

@janauzoeghelu/@onu_supperclub What do we & our readers need to remember about you? Purpose is fluid, I will not solely be cooking for the rest of this lifetime. What is the idea behind ŌNŪ Supper Club? I cook with love and it’s an energy that gets reciprocated by many, which is something very special and I am grateful for. So ŌNŪ Supper Club seats individuals from different walks of life at a common table to connect over the universal joy of eating and satiating conversations. The Supper Club hosts a space where the people who are seated at the table can open up in an unrestricted environment and break bread together. It’s all about sharing love, connecting outside of your bubble and expanding through the experience of sharing food communally. What cuisines inspire your personal menus? Nigerian cuisine will be the inspiration for everything that follows. What makes your heart go faster these days? Serendipitous moments give me sooo much life! Those accidental encounters that aren’t accidental. I’ve been having quite a lot of those lately and it gives me the feeling that Life is flowing like a nice summer breeze. What’s your personal utopia? A world without prejudice, racism and white supremacy, less egotistical men and the legalisation of conscious cannabis use!

How do you relax? Pour myself some red wine, run a hot bath, light some candles and incense, take a spoon of my homemade infused THC oil and put on some jazz. It’s a whole vibe. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? I like to go on solo trips, I love new environments and long walks with no interference of bumping into people I know. Wandering in a different city, trying out new spots, taking myself out on dates. Ultimate me-time in solitude. These are moments where I can clear up brainspace for anything I’d like to work on. Solo tripping is my gateway to creativity. Solitude is everything. What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately? Intuition is everything! Take time to scan your thoughts and your body in different situations. Once you become aware of how you feel internally, it’ll be easier to navigate certain opportunities and even calamities. What’s the one thing you can’t live without? My home-brewed and well-calculated cannabis cooking oil. The oil has been my lifesaver, therapist and personal brain enhancer. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? Living life while dancing on its edges 57

06.03 – 21.08.22 Charging Myths On-Trade-Off

10.04 – 07.08.22 Same Same but Different BC architects & studies & materials 13.05 – 15.08.22 Please do touch Lore Langendries Huis voor Actuele Kunst, Design & Architectuur 58

Ontdek de drie nieuwe tentoonstellingen

n Van a e S E

o e p l l e h c

Photos shot by @elkovanraemdonck and @seanvanechelpoel

Photography by Flor Maesen Avec le soutien de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

he/him

Visual artist

Antwerp

@seanvanechelpoel

(

What do we & our readers need to remember about you? My way of constructing visual narratives. What artists are you listening to? When it comes to music, my taste is very fluid and specified by my mood. The last few months I’ve been feeling a combo between melancholic indie (Tamino, Bonobo,…) and Trance/Tech House (Burial, Mall Grab,…) What makes your heart go faster these days? A new connection and the profound flux of love. What’s your personal utopia? Living somewhere in a tropical country in a loft designed by Six N. Five together with my celebrity crush. What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people? My high sensitivity in relation to my conscious experience of existence. What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time? Running a multidisciplinary creative studio in Paris/London and working with talented people that I love. Celebrity crush? Alizée Gamberini (0 ^ ‿^ 0)

If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform? A full black oversized layered uniform, businessman/ninja? What were you like as a child? Very sensitive, annoying, curious and creative. If there was a book about your life, what would the title be? Perfect imperfections. What kind of shoots and collaborations have you done lately? My last shoot was for WEEKDAY with the most amazing talent Sadiq Desh, which is coming out in the following weeks. The most recent collaboration I’m working on is something very exciting together with Jani Kazaltzis, more I can’t say.

My mother gave me the vision and wings 61

Front cover Malique shot for @trance.artscollective by @h_brugge and @grldstvns PRINT Editor in chief / Content manager Herlinde Raeman

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