Jenne Grabowski
musician and designer – Berlin
“I like stories, and I am a storyteller in my particular way either when I am playing music or making design or art,” says Jenne Grabowski about himself. And be sure, you can’t slow him down: Jenne is a Berlin-based musician, a designer and the founder and art director of JB. Magazine, an indie magazine which celebrates the interplay of the arts, music and street culture. It’s all about movement, change and creative visions but never about giving yourself up to the fast pace of life today. His topics are well-chosen and include extensive interviews with a personal touch, loads of art, photos and selected works.
Whenever Jenne is not busy searching for interesting people and topics or working on a new design project, you can find him either on the skateboard or behind the mixing desk. He has been playing all around Germany, i.e. some of Berlin’s most well-know clubs like WMF, Panorama Bar, Bar 25, Café Moskau, Watergate or Cookies. Also, Jenne acted as the tour DJ of The Whitest Boy Alive on their “The Patience” tour through Germany. This circumstance gets us down to a beautiful liaison between three of our supporters: Jenne is friends with DENA and hand in glove with Marcin Oz and we are glad to have found supporters in all of them, true to the motto: “Support each other. Together we are strong!”
A very warm welcome!
What is more important to you, the sense of taste or sight?
If I’d loose sight, I would still be able to taste all the yummy food. Or I could still see the sun shining while everything tastes neutral. Damn, both are important and I hope I can keep those senses forever.
You are a creative person. What is your vision for your personal work?
I want people to explore a little something that could be common or special, to find something of themselves. I like stories, and I am a storyteller in my particular way either when I am playing music or making design or art. Balancing humour and seriousness, relevance and vanity, extent and detail.
JB. Magazine covers the arts, music, and street culture. Is it your personal mouthpiece? Who do you want to reach and what is your intention?
Yes, you can call it my personal mouthpiece that is influenced by a bunch of people, animals, things and whatever involved, making it happen. JB. is about telling stories. The stories of others, my personal stories, those of my friends, of dreams and how we shape our reality. I want JB. to reach out to people that are awake and share a sense of awareness while I am not focussing too much on a particular culture. Of course, sharing certain kinds of interests makes me able to connect more easily with other people, and this is important to me. It fills this project with power. When I think of the magazine and the potential reader, I don’t know anything about the person flipping or reading or wandering through our editorial world. But if I reach out to people who are not necessarily using the same colors to paint that I would, but making them think about the colors or listen to a sound that hasn’t been audible in their lives before, then that would be one very important accomplishment.
To what extent does Berlin, your place of residence, exert influence on your work but also your personal way of life?
It surely does, but after such a long time living in Berlin, I cannot state the extent of it anymore. I have family in this town, so many friends, skate-spots, art, music or work, the countryside around where I am meeting foxes and squirrels and trying to hang with beavers… Everyone has a large share at it. Kreuzberg is my home, it’s the basis of my current chapter in life but I am always eager to wander out to explore new places and spaces, close and far away.
„We slow down when everything is going fast“ – this sentence is part of your mission statement and seems to reflect your main intention. What is your personal advice for coming down?
We love what we do and we are progressing and moving in the forward direction. But we are not submitting ourselves to the fast-moving nature of our world and to the compulsion of cultural change. Though the only constant is change, we are taking it really easy. Both feet on the ground as we can’t fly. Well, sometimes we can… If something is not happening now, we can wait with ease for another good moment because the next moment will always be the best.
Print was declared dead when online magazines got stronger and stronger. But you still believe in the power of print. What makes it so unique to you?
“Punk was dead when the first punk said: Punk is dead!” This is nothing nostalgic, it is a serious thing. Somehow we are fulfilling a desire that had been there for so long. It is also the wish to have something real in a digitized world. We are digitizing our brains day in day out. It is something for the tactile perception. Watching, reading, cutting, folding, tearing out a piece of art and altering it into new art, or hanging it on the wall, sharing issues or articles, burning the paper. It’s like having sex instead of thinking of it. Sometimes the thought is enough, but reality can be pretty sweet.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
I love and hate superlatives. And it’s hard to pin down a single moment or thing to claim it the most beautiful. But I would say it was the birth of my son Henri, because this magic was not happening on this planet.
What would you like to see more often?
People with courage and presence. James Turrell skyspaces. The real mountains. Or a James Turrell skyspace in the mountains, like the one in Switzerland I found last summer. The sea. The skateboard under my feet. My friends that I love but live to far away, even just to see them for a high five…
What do you prefer: sunrise or sunset?
I love both. Including the twilight. Sunset is about ending, which can be really dramatic. But the aesthetic, the transition is such a beautiful thing. The sunrise is always the beginning of something new. The unfolding, the flourishing, watching it all grow and not knowing where it will take us.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do?
Giving should be natural in order to receive. But always without expecting anything in return.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
Staying in the now and keeping in my mind that life is actually about nothing. No faster, stronger, better, whatever. It all just happens in its own pace. Just give up! That is the formula.
Who is your personal hero?
No glorifying, but it could be a long list. If I think of someone next door, it would be my son who just drew me a complex weather chart, my good friend who just borrowed me a piano or the other who connected me to one of my most favorite street photographer from New York!
What is your picture/sound for IWISHUSUN?
Picture: the fall leaves and the golden sun in the woods the other day.
Sound: the sound of my skateboard I am riding on down the street by the sea while I am humming.
Did we forget to mention that Jenne takes beautiful pictures, too?! Check out his photos here.
A few weeks ago we presented our first creative partner project and our first short film, the result of a cooperation between Berlin-based composer and music producer Robot Koch and the photographer Sabrina Theissen. For “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN” our ambassadors got together to take a look at the topic of sight, which IWISHUSUN has dedicated its work to. These photos shown below and above document Robot Koch’s working process.
The process and the thoughts of the two IWISHUSUN ambassadors are documented in intense imagery in Editude Pictures’ short film, “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN”:
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A few days ago we presented our first creative partner project and our first short film, the result of a cooperation between Berlin-based composer and music producer Robot Koch and the photographer Sabrina Theissen. For “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN” our ambassadors got together to take a look at the topic of sight, which IWISHUSUN has dedicated its work to.
Here you can see Sabrina Theissen at work:
The result: a photographic tryptich which is shown below. The sky and the sun are the determining motifs, which, in a similarly minimalist way as the song by Robot Koch, are captured only indirectly by reflection, allowing the greatest possible space for the unexpected aspects of ones own interpretations in their complete reduction – a playing field for one’s own way of seeing and perspectives.
The process and the thoughts of the two IWISHUSUN ambassadors are documented in intense imagery in Editude Pictures’ short film, “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN”:
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We are thrilled to be able to present our first creative partner project and our first short film, the result of a cooperation between two ambassadors of our steadily growing network: “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN.”
Berlin-based composer and music producer Robot Koch and the photographer Sabrina Theissen got together to take a look at the topic of sight, which IWISHUSUN has dedicated its work to, from an unusual perspective. Robot Koch provided his brand new song “Jupiter”, for the project, which Sabrina Theissen used to garner inspiration, answering with her photographic tryptich, shown above. The sky and the sun are the determining motifs, which, in a similarly minimalist way as the song by Robot Koch, are captured only indirectly by reflection, allowing the greatest possible space for the unexpected aspects of ones own interpretations in their complete reduction – a playing field for one’s own way of seeing and perspectives.
This process and the thoughts of the two IWISHUSUN ambassadors are documented in intense imagery in Editude Pictures’ short film, “In a Creative Dialogue – Robot Koch x Sabrina Theissen for IWISHUSUN”:
Our thanks to Robot Koch, Sabrina Theissen as well as Frederic Leitzke and Andreas Lamøth from Editude Pictures, who captured the creative exchange in moving images.
You can read the IWISHUSUN interviews with Robot Koch, Sabrina Theissen and Editude Pictures here.
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Sabrina Theissen
photographer – Berlin
Look for the name behind the photos in lala Berlin’s latest lookbooks. Check out who is responsible for various photographic series at many of our favourite print magazines, among them German VOGUE, Sleek, Achtung, Interview, L’Officiel Hommes, Indie and I Love You Magazine. The name they all have in common? Sabrina Theissen. The highly talented fashion photographer, who is based in Berlin, where she studied photo design, has built up quite a reputation over the past years. Thanks to her sensual yet conceptual way of creating an image, her unique eye driven by natural beauty and light, Sabrina’s photos can be easily identified – whether in the above mentioned magazines, in the context of lala Berlin’s collections (read Leyla Piedayesh’s interview with IWISHUSUN here) or working for other clients like Odeeh, Achtland, Hugo Boss, Closed and others.
We think Sabrina Theissen is a major talent and we love working with her. Before we show you the results, we are very happy to introduce you to Sabrina’s work and thought processes by sharing her interview:
You are a photographer and therefore sight must be a very important sense to you. What other sense couldn’t be missed in your life? Why?
Hearing. By listening to music it’s easily possible to dream yourself to any place you’d love to be.
What is your vision for your personal work?
To be honest to myself and to stay authentic in my way of showing what I’m adoring.
You have specialised in fashion photography but is there any other area that you still want to explore?
The more I get into the topic the more I’m exploring it. I’m also very interested in trying out new ways of seeing, showing beauty in another context and to realise projects on my own again, without a large team in the background.
Your personal opinion: what makes a good (fashion) photograph?
It should appeal to you in some way: whether because it makes you smile, leads you into a parallel world, touches you aesthetically or irritates you.
Looking through the camera is almost synonymous with the act of photographing. How does your normal sight differ from your personal perspective through a camera?
Not that much, I guess. It doesn’t make a difference if I’m holding a camera in my hands or not. This machine is just the way to visualise what I’m seeing.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
My newborn niece.
Sunrise or sunset – what do you prefer?
Hard to decide. Both events are so incredibly beautiful and full of metaphors like hope, recommencement, transition… I do love both.
What would you like to see more often?
People smiling on the street.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
By starting to change things in my own life which I’d also love to become real in a bigger context.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do?
I just did some craft work for my mother’s project. Once a year she organises a great market together with other women, raising money for autistic children and a women’s shelter.
But this is not the only chance Sabrina Theissen jumps at to show her vivid interest in the world and her fellow human beings: the generous photographer also supports IWISHUSUN not only by giving us an interview but by being involved in a new exciting project which we will showcase very soon. That’s why Sabrina’s picture for IWISHUSUN is still in the making and we can’t wait to show you the result. Stay tuned!
In the meantime we present a selection of her photographic work below:
“From Vancouver to LA” series:
Commercial work:
Achtland Spring/Summer 2014
Sleek, “Brumous”
Sleek, “Insight”
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In the past months we have been able to help so many people who suffered from preventable blindness in Bangladesh but have been saved by a cataract operation or received a pair of glasses through ORBIS International‘s work – thanks to you and your IWISHUSUN purchases! Today we want to thank you for your support, dear customers, as well as look back on Henning Heide‘s trip to Bangladesh. When the Hamburg-based photographer and friend of IWISHUSUN (read his interview here) came back home he did not only bring a lot of memories and experiences but also his pictures which he had taken of the people who have received an eye operation thanks to products bought here.
With the cooperation with ORBIS at the Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute in Bangladesh we can guarantee that the money flows directly into this project, enabling us to document who has received eye surgery. The Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital in Dhaka is not only the largest but also the oldest hospital in Bangladesh, specialised on eye disease. For more than 50 years a wide range of eye diseases have been treated and a particular emphasis is on treating poorer sectors of society. The aim is to provide each patient with the same high level of medical care, regardless of their financial situation, and the hospital is open to everyone.
Meet more people who have been saved in our “PEOPLE” section.
]]>In the past Ralf Schmerberg‘s ads for Levi’s, Lufthansa and Nike stood out in Cannes, two of his films are part of MoMa’s permanent collection, his film and photo works won several international awards, his film “Trouble – Teatime in Heiligendamm” which documents 2007′s G8 summit was awarded the “Most Valuable Documentary of the Year” prize, in 2012 he received the title “Creative Leader of the Year” in the context of one of Germany’s most important media awards, Lead Awards – in short: Ralf Schmerberg is an internationally renowned and acclaimed artist and filmmaker. But most importantly the Berlin-based Schmerberg is a very sensitive person whose work and life is based on sight which is the most important sense to him. His personal and artistic vision is not about any aesthetic theories but is based on his own personality and visual impressions as well as the search for community and new ways of freedom.
FashionDaily.tv met the artist at his studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg and to those of you who German we recommend to watch their video interview!
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THOMAS SCHENK
photographer – Austria
Since the late eighties Thomas Schenk has been working for renowned labels showcased in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Purple and Details or brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès and J. Crew. But if it was up to the self-taught photographer his fashion shoots would still be as spontaneous and natural as they used to be back when he started his career. Nowadays the perfect arrangement has become paramount, but Thomas Schenk still works in a down-to-earth way: always in search of the interesting, the particular and exceptional, for “utter modernity and edgy introspection”; his aesthetic is never overstated or overly staged but simple and clean. He remains calm and classy where other photographers can sometimes be loud and pompous.
Becoming a photographer was not something he had planned. Before discovering photography at the age of 26, Thomas Schenk, who was born in Illinois and raised in New Jersey, earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Philadelphia College of Art where he studied ceramics and printmaking. After that, his path led him steadily towards fashion photography, where he has managed to carve out uniqueness amidst a flood of homogenous, pretty faces. Character and personality in the face of a model are the highest priority and that’s exactly why IWISHUSUN appreciates his work. In the past we were lucky enough to have him shoot our logo T-shirts and now we are very happy to catch up with an interview – a very warm welcome to our “Friends” section and thank you for supporting IWISHUSUN!
What is more important to you, the sense of hearing or sight?
I can absolutely not imagine life without sight. My whole being revolves around it…
You are a creative person who is home in many places. What is your vision for your personal work?
The funny thing about my personal work (photographs) as opposed to my professional work, is that I absolutely cannot force the photos to happen. I have to wait for days, sometimes even months for one to happen, and then when it does I know it immediately.
Once you said: “What I’m trying to do is keep it really simple, see who the girl is, see what the clothes are, and create a look that will maybe be a little more interesting.” Your personal opinion: what makes a good (fashion) photograph?
If I could have my way I would still be doing those simple fashion portraits I began my career with. I always loved (still love) the woman exactly how she came to the studio; and my hair and make up team back then did as well. We didn’t touch her hair until she was on set and if the make up took more then a minute or two to do, then we wiped it off because it had to be wrong. I was probably one of the last photographers to go from film to computers.
Looking through the camera is synonymous with the act of photographing. How does your normal sight differ from you personal perspective through a camera?
Unfortunately, once you look through a camera, you immediately begin to make decisions and start to try to control what you are seeing. It is a very rare photographer who can make a photograph feel like normal sight.
What are your favourite motifs?
That depends on the day and what I’m doing or where I am.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
How can a father answer that in any other way?!
Sunrise or sunset – what do you prefer?
Please, no sunrises, I hate waking early.
What would you like to see more often?
I am obsessed with my kids, I spend every possible moment with them and that’s not even enough…
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
I missed the boat in doing anything really valid in the sense of a lifetime doing good but I do my thing, try to buy only from 1% Companies, Quipo, stuff like that.
Now my big project is to raise my kids right.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do?
Gave back what?
What’s your picture for IWISHUSUN?
Me and my daughter in New Jersey… (see above, editor’s note)
This is a truly exceptional story: Pete Eckert didn’t take photography seriously. Until he went totally blind. Eckert was trained in sculpture and industrial design and planned to study architecture at Yale, but then he startetd to loose is sight. He suffered from Retinitis Pigmentosa and since there is currently no cure for this disease, he went completely blind. After years of recovering and re-orinentation, Pete Eckert discovered his mother’s old camera – a coincidence that should become an initial point in his life. Almost immediately, he felt compelled to dedicate himself to this intensely visual medium despite his devastating diagnosis.
Pete Eckers remembers: “I found the camera fascinating and discovered it had an infrared setting. I thought a blind guy doing photos in a non-visible wavelength would be amusing. I was hooked. I knew nothing about film or manual cameras.” Almost 30 years later, Pete Eckert is an award-winning photographer.
Eckert takes his photos mostly at night, when his hometown of Sacramento is quiet and empty, and he can move around more easily. Although they clearly depict the isolation from the world of those who see, Eckert found ways of turning his disability into an advantage:
I am not bound by the assumptions of the sighted or their assumed limits.
I am trying to cut a new path as a blind visual artist. Sighted people don’t help me make the art. They do give me feedback before I do the final large prints. I shoot the image, develop the film, and I do the contact print. I do what I call sample prints. There is a clear dividing line. I need the feedback loop to afford making large final products. I could cut sighted people completely out of my process. I could do a write up about the event of taking the photos. The negatives, contact sheets, and write up about the event could be the final product. I like doing the dramatic large prints better. I want sighted people involved. It is a good bridge between the blind and sighted. I want to be included in the world and accepted.
. . . Occasionally people refuse to believe I am blind. I am a visual person. I just can’t see.
Also, find Pete Eckert featured in The Avant/Garde Diaries:
Photos: Screenshot.
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Detail: Jessica Comingore, LA in BW.
When thinking of Los Angeles images of Hollywood, of glamour but also of a vibrant creative scene come into mind. But a closer look at the City of Angels alters the first impression as Jessica Comingore‘s photos visualise: In her series, “LA in BW” the designer and photographer captures the quieter, reflective side of Los Angeles, through the eyes of a true Angeleno. The resulting monochrome pictures get us to reassess our stereotyped idea of Los Angeles which now is replaced by Jessica Comingore’s calm perspective.
The photographer who among other clients works for Freunde von Freunden has been featured at AssemblePapers.com.au and told them
It sort of started as a bit of an accident when I stumbled upon the most beautiful bougainvillea spilling over a concrete wall on a lunch break in Echo Park. I had my camera with me and decided to snap a photo. When I came home to edit it, I found that I had left my settings on black and white, and didn’t capture the bright fuchsia hue I had intended at all. But rather, I saw this sculptural contrast of the soft petals against an urban backdrop. I was pleasantly surprised and made a point of bringing my camera along on every mundane drive about town to capture these little moments, but also spoke to the diverse landscape of this sprawling city. Though I had passed by these locations so many times over the years, I felt like I was seeing them with a completely new perspective.
Find the entire series here.
Photos: Jessica Comingore.
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