Valéry Grancher: “With my cat Solaris I am so connected, she’s so smart and subtle and her love is unconditional and great. I find in her such being quality that sometimes I don’t find in humans. She’s never lying and never betraying and has such innocence. The lesson of that is that any forms of beings can be connected, all our planet is alive and the only exit is love for better world”
IG: @valerygrancher
“The beauty of nature presents itself again and again, like endearments softly punching at my heart; gentle reminders to let each moment arise and to commit myself again and again to love instead of hate and to be brave instead of scared. All the while I know that there is a light beyond all lights that is the light we cannot see. That is all we need – the Light we cannot yet see – and to believe in it.”
IG: rosie_nunney
Hommage à Claude Monet
Daniela Bretscher: “I take digital and analogue photographs. The picture ‘Hommage a Claude Monet’ is from the series Double Density, which I took in Berlin. I took the photos with my Rollei 35 SE and exposed the same film twice. In the first round I only photographed yellow objects and in the second only blue ones. This resulted in photos that were partly planned and partly left to chance and have a beauty of their own.”
Daniela’s quote: “Beauty is only created when there are irregularities and shadows that give things structure and depth. There is beauty everywhere, but beauty can only be captured with luck.”
Wayne Moss: “When you look deeply into a person’s eyes you don’t just see the pure beauty of that person, you also see the pure beauty of yourself; you see the pure beauty of us all. “
Carlo Van Hove: “An amusement pier juts out into the sea, a place where strangers meet, where strangers talk to others…….where probably you also can meet a new friend, a new love……..Isn’t love something we all need ? …… crazy, on a pier !”
‘White Swan in Rivierenhof Park, Antwerp, Belgium’
‘Small Newt and Tootpick’
‘Last Evenings’s Show, 1400 Feet Above the Pacific’
Marlène Pauly: “A gate to a world in softness and love” Tameslouht, Morocco
IG @marlenepauly
‘The power of emptiness’ Famara Beach, Lanzarote
Katharine Hamnett: “I took this picture for my 99 year old friend to look at while she was in hospital- she had spent her entire life on boats and has had a captain’s license longer than any other woman in the world: since she was 18! She loved the Mallorcan coast and thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Sunrise in Amed, Bali
This photographic series by Belgian photographer Vincent Lagrange captures the inherent humanity of animals and highlights their emotional depth and the beauty of Mother Nature. The photos offer a detailed, intimate look into the lives of these animals.
These photos not only reveal the striking similarities between animals and humans, but also remind us of the intense bonds we share with nature. Just like us, animals experience a range of emotions, form social bonds, and exist in a community. These images remind us that we are not alone on this planet, but rather closely interconnected with the animals around us.
The series not only showcases the beauty of animals, but also reminds us of the importance of conservation. The grandeur and majesty of the images inspire a sense of wonder and respect for the environment, and a desire to protect and preserve it for future generations.
You can still visit the gorgeous exhibition Between Us until April 23 in Leonhard’s Gallery, Schuttershofstraat 34 in 2000 Antwerp. Don’t miss it!
Mikiodo: “I find beauty everywhere. I particularly love suns, moons, clouds and sky. Always changing, sometimes unpredictable. This image was stormy morning clouds with a quick peep of the most gorgeous pink-orange color that appeared; it still excites me. It’s simple and the color is almost unreal. I often love to shoot alone in nature, even if it’s lonely. It’s a way of connecting to the bigger picture.”
IG:@mikiodo
“Beauty is just a matter of light”
Rafael Jimenez: “I met Ross when he just moved to Paris. He was doing his laundry in a Lavomatic and I was passing by. We used him as a model at the showroom and introduced him to Success Agency. He did the Rick Owens show and quite a few other brands. We became friends. This capture was at home. We were just having fun and I noticed his tattoo. I realised there was a similitude with him and captured it in this shot.”
IG: @therafaeljimenez
IG: @rossmackenzie
Gia Robles Levy, has been actively sharing her transition journey through social media since she ‘came out’ as trans in 2020. Still only 21 today, she talks to Kym Nelson, writer and comedian, about her struggles to find her identity, why she no longer has to suppress her sass and, what she really thinks about comedians who make trans jokes.
You describe yourself as a influencer, how are you influencing people?
Gia: “I have a story to tell about my transgender journey and I feel I have a mission and a purpose to educate. I’m still learning new things about the transition process and I want to share these findings because it’s not easy if you’re not in the LGBTQ+ community. You can’t just use Google to find the answers. That’s why I try and tell my story from my own experience. Essentially, I’m expressing my vulnerability; I love doing that. As a result, people always comment on how brave I am to open up and be so vocal about my story. The feedback is empowering. It feels good to know you are inspiring people. It can be quite a heavy topic, so I do use humour sometimes when talking about my transition.”
Talking of humour…how do you feel about comedians such as Ricky Gervais making jokes about transgenders?
Gia: “I feel that he’s not in a position or privilege to joke about the trans community because they are our topics. It’s our struggle. These are the type of things people commit suicide over. I mean how can he go on stage as a privileged straight man and mock us. It’s disgusting. You get people saying; “Oh you don’t have a sense of humour, it’s comedy.” No! If a transwoman had made that joke then it’s funny because she understands, she went through it. It’s like white people using the ‘N’ word. You can’t say that, you’re not allowed to say that word. They don’t know the struggles for black people.”
How would your influence bring more understanding about the trans gender community?
Gia: “I would love to go to schools and educate children and teenagers about this. At school I was bullied and there was a lot of gay shaming. I didn’t know what gay was, while I was being called a faggot on the playground. I would love to stand up in front of a class now and give lessons from my perspective as a trans woman.”
“I wish I had discovered the possibilities and opportunities sooner, then I wouldn’t have had to struggle this hard to find my identity.”
Did you struggle with your sexuality?
Gia: “I did from the age of 15, when I started questioning my sexuality after I realised I was attracted to men, but I could fall in love with women. But at the age of 15 you don’t really know what love is and that is why I was stuck. Then I started coming out as gay but it was a confusing time because I was still struggling with the sexuality part and still questioning and asking myself why am I not interested in men who are interested in me? And I was questioning why can I not be a regular homosexual like all the other guys? I was also really scared to go to bed with someone, I couldn’t imagine giving myself intimately to another guy and I couldn’t understand why I was thinking like that until I was 20.”
Was there anyone you could talk to about your conflicted feelings?
Gia: “I thought I was falling in love with a female friend, who is my soul mate. I was able to talk about my feelings for her, with her. She was asking me questions like; “Why do you feel like that?” She felt it too but her opinion was that sometimes you don’t have to be romantic with someone, sometimes friendship is good enough. So I thought about that and also discussed my confusion about my sexuality with other friends.”
When did you start to make sense of your identity?
Gia: “Because I didn’t understand what I was feeling I talked more with people who knew about sexuality and gender identity. Then a friend suggested that I might be gay because I was attracted to men but also bi-romantic (when you’re romantically attracted to two different gender identities) and gender-fluid (being flexible with the sex with which people identify). Suddenly, I was relieved that I had a label for myself, that I could finally have some structure in my head about who I was. While I was telling people about how relieved I was about having these labels, another friend asked me; “Have you ever thought about being trans?” During that conversation I suddenly understood why I wasn’t attracted to gay men, because I felt like a straight woman.”
“It got to the point where I had to give myself a label. I know that many people dislike labelling themselves, but for me, knowing that I could do so to remove these question marks was really reassuring.”
How long did it take for you to ‘come out’ as trans?
Gia: “It took me 2 years to ‘come out’ as gay but when I discovered I was trans, it took me just two weeks to tell everyone because I didn’t want this to be a secret. And whether they were comfortable with it or not, I decided that was not my problem, it was theirs.”
What was your family’s reaction to changing your gender?
Gia: “They were so supportive! Their attitude has always been about whatever makes me happy, makes them happy. So I’m really lucky. Obviously you expect questions, but I was surprised by some of them. For example, my half-brother, who is 16 years old, asked, “Isn’t the transition really expensive?” Then after that he was like; “Fine, I guess I’ll have a sister then!” My older brother (25) was more curious to learn what transgender meant, because he had no idea.”
“I began to see that the gender with which I was expressing myself with was more fitting than the gender I was born with.”
When did you start transitioning?
Gia: “As soon as I discovered I was trans, a week later I joined the Ghent hospital’s waiting list to get myself on hormones. Four months later I made the decision to go private, since I didn’t want to wait for the hormones. My Mum was really supportive and got me private therapy as soon as possible since I was still in puberty and I wanted to prevent it. I was like a ticking time bomb. I was already seeing hairs on my chest, so I couldn’t afford to wait another year.”
What was the process with the hormones?
Gia: “Once you get the all-clear from the psychologist you can start hormones. But before that I had to freeze my sperm because I found out from a friend -not from the medical profession-, that hormone therapy makes you sterile. So although the assistance provided to transgender persons in Belgium is excellent, you really have to conduct your own research, because I learned more from my peers than from the medical community.I took estrogen in gel form which is like a hand sanitiser which you rub into your arm and then the hormones go straight into your bloodstream.”
Did the transition affect your mental health?
Gia: “It did when I started using testosterone blockers which helps with breast growth but they have to go through your digestive system which makes them very strong and dangerous and can mess with your head. That’s why you hear trans women say they feel mentally unstable. I have always been secure in myself, strong, stable and confident but one month on these hormones, coupled with a heartbreak, made me crash down. I was feeling depressed. Ever since then I have not felt myself. I’m about 50 percent of where I used to be.”
Has it been an issue being trans within your community?
Gia: “I feel lucky to have so many friends from the deeper queer scene as opposed to the superficial queer scene, which we have in Belgium. So, for me and my friends we don’t always feel safe in queer parties because there is still discrimination. For example from white gays to black gays and from gay people to trans women. In the superficial queer scene you can be gay, lesbian or trans. But in the queer scene I’m in now you can be trans feminine, trans non-binary, binary trans, people with different genders, different pronouns and different sexualities. So much freer and it makes me feel amazing to be around people who truly understand. But I do see how other people struggle and how lucky I am.”
Do you feel people don’t see you as normal?
Gia: “All the time. I meet men who look at me as if I’m an experiment. They have an interest in me, but they want to keep me a secret because they’re ashamed to be with a transgender woman. That’s why they’re never going to commit to someone like me.”
How do you think we can change attitudes towards transgenders?
Gia: “Change is starting to happen. I see thatwith images and reactions changing towards my community within mainstream media. It’s certainly changed since that film the Hangover 2 which portrayed trans woman as being freaks. I remember watching a scene where the men go to Bangkok and they look horrified to see a trans woman as her towel drops off and say; “What the fxxk was that?” I remember watching that movie and I thought they had that reaction because they were looking at a freak – a woman who had surgery to put a penis on her. It’s scenes like that that creates an impression as trans women being freaks. Now we have more understanding about trans woman who are being portrayed more positively in films, such as Laverne Cox and Indya Adrianna Moore. They are invading this world with their presence and steering the transgender community towards this radical change.”
Are you happy with your body now?
Gia: “I am very happy with my body, as you can see from the photos!”
“It’s gender affirming for me to be able to walk on the street with a sass that I don’t have to supress anymore”
How do you want people to approach you?
Gia: “The most respectful thing you can do is ask a person’s pronoun. It’s very well known in the queer world that this is a very respected question rather than assuming. I’m very happy to tell people that I am she/her, it means you address someone in the right way.”
What question do you hate to be asked?
Gia: “Tell me your worst traits. I mean why would I want to think about those things? Are they trying to make me feel insecure?”
Do you have a song that is your personal anthem?
Gia: “ ’Break free’ by Ariana Grande. She’s my inspiration. It’s such an empowering song.”
What advice would you give to others who want to make the transition like you?
Gia: “Don’t hide yourself for anyone. Look around, see what situation you are (for instance, if you’re in a safe space to come out as trans, do you have people you can trust in?) and only invest energy into people where you feel the energy is being reciprocated.”
Who are you becoming?
Gia: “I’d like to say a better version of myself, but it’s not true. I’m not a better version than I was last year. But I have evolved and I have learned. I guess I’m becoming more authentic.”
Find out more about Gia on her Instagram page @giarobleslevy. She will also be selling
T-shirts on behalf of clothing brand Essentiel Antwerp at Antwerp Pride from 10th to 15th August.
Concept: Ninette Murk
Photography: Vincent Van den Dries
Make-up: @emmacatry
Light: @janmaes_
Assistant on set: @annieksnoeijs
vincentvandendries.com
thespacebrussels.com
IG @vincentvandendries
Interview: Kym Nelson
IG @mindful_atplay
Twitter: @KymNelson
IG@williamseldenstudio
http://williamseldenlondon.com
You probably have seen the gorgeous black and white photos made by refugee kids in our Gallery, which they made under supervision of a mobile photo lab. They are preparing their next project near the border of Turkey with Syria and you can help them make it happen!
Here’s what project leader Serbest Salih writes:
“We are soon embarking on a new journey near the Turkish Syrian border with our mobile darkroom caravan. We will travel from village to village and give an opportunity to children to express themselves through photography.With your support, we will make this happen and reach the most distant places in this area. We constantly need equipment, chemicals, cameras, and support from all artists and humans worldwide who believe in the power of art and photography. With your support and even by donating a small amount to our campaign, you’ll make a clear statement that you believe in us, in our children, and in the power of arts in bringing change to the world.”
Watch the campaign video here:
So pleased to announce that I’m in the jury again of the Global Design Graduate Show, as Founder of Beauty without Irony and Beauty for a Better World.
The Global Graduate Show is a project of ARTSTHREAD in collaboration with Gucci.
This year I will be judging in the Fine Art / Photography / Craft categories, all 3 categories that are very close to my heart.
There will be judges for Digital, Visual Comm and Film / Fashion, Accessories and Textiles / Product, Architecture and Interiors / Fine Art ,Photography and Craft.
Open to apply!
The Global Design Graduate Show in collaboration with Gucci is open to all art and design students (undergraduate and postgraduate) graduating this year 2022 (Southern hemisphere graduating after October 2021) in any related discipline, located anywhere in the world.
The Global Design Graduate Show 2022 is your chance to share your creative work alongside your peers from around the world and get it judged by industry leaders.
Who can enter?
Open internationally to all art and design undergraduate or postgraduate students graduating in the Academic Year 2020-21 – i.e. October 2021 to July 2022.
Entry: Free to apply
Deadline to apply: August 31, 2022
Ljiljana Jokovic: “True beauty is the one towards the world around us, towards nature, it is everywhere and all around us. If we only take notice and take a step back, we can see that our planet is the most wonderful place. Beauty is also where love lives, love to our closest, love to the children, to the animals, birds, to freedom, to life itself. I have been doing photography since 2017 and it gives me great pleasure. I collect incredible moments and make them last forever. Pure love also lies in doing what you love, what inspires you. It can be writing, drawing, being involved in any of the forms of art.”
Colleen Cassar: “I know I see beauty when my heart sings”
IG: @roamlikequeens
Kim Jones: “Somewhere over the North Pole is beauty”
IG @mrkimjones
Tony Whelan:
“So that’s what it is !!”
So there I was, sitting here, looking at the photo,(which I call Time Handed Down), that’s another story, anyway, there I was, sitting here, waiting for inspiration to strike, grappling with words for a poetic line, even some simple rhyme, a one-liner, a quirky quote to make you think I’m some sort of influencer or prophet, gifted and blessed with that string of words to share with you, those words that would make you say “So that’s what it is !!”.
To get to the point: what I realised was, all I was doing was wasting time, getting caught up in something I know needs no explaining, it just is.
Time is so many things, at its most beautiful when you share it.
IG @somewhereinhillegom
Michael Denardo: “The purpose of pure beauty is to uplift, inspire and keep alive the spirit of transcendence. I was able to escape the confines of lockdown by creating my own surreal landscapes of beauty to inspire me. By spending quality time in the countryside during lockdown I was able to discover nature in a way I hadn’t experienced before. A discovery of many plants and flowers I have never known existed. The beauty of nature gave me the opportunity to escape the collective anxiety I perceived daily in the media and allowed me to feel vital and connected in a time of general crisis. Post Covid I hope that we are able to find beauty in the every day and each other by focusing on the present moment.”
IG @ Denardomichael
Pure Beauty personifies letting go of any conditioning.
Beauty can arise from moments of crises by staying in the end result of a life you love.
My hopes for humanity in a post Covid world is to stay in the positive of possibilities to manifest their dreams.
Europe is full of traditional festivals, where strange figures, vegetation spirits, wild men and monstrous creatures appear.
Many of these characters are extremely ancient and popular, with rituals associated with seasonal and agricultural cycles.
These are some of the photos taken by Charles Fréger, a photographer who has traveled for years portraying these masks that he collected for his book “Wilder Mann”.
See all the gorgeous photos and read more about the artist here: https://www.charlesfreger.com/portfolio/wilder-mann/
A travelling darkroom teaches refugee children to use photography as a means of expression.
In Mardin, a city in Turkey near the Syria border, a program called Sirkhane Darkroom has been launched that allows children and teens in the area to photograph what is around them, with the aim of showing a piece of the world through their eyes.
The project was born in 2017 and was curated by photographer Serbest Salih, who studied photography in Aleppo before fleeing Syria with his family in 2014, as Islamic State militia progressed towards Kobane, his hometown. As told by CNN, Salih showed the boys the operation of analogue cameras, taught them the basics of image composition and technique and provided film cameras for use for a couple of weeks. Then he showed how to develop photos and choose the best ones.
A hundred photos were collected in a book ‘We Gasp For More Than Just Air’ published by Mack. Sirkhane Darkroom is part of Her Yerde Sanat-Sirkhane, a not-for-profit organisation that runs a circus school, art festival and music school for children from war zones, to which all proceeds from the book will go.
In 2019 Salih thought to make his project mobile and began travelling across the border to offer laboratories to children and children aged 7 and older, until with the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 shifting became more complicated. Many of the children who made the photographs are refugees fleeing the war in Syria and Iraq: the project is aimed at teaching them to use photography as a means of expression.
In the conclusion of the book, Salih writes: ′′ When you look at these photographs collected together, you see children sharing real moments of their lives: inside their homes, with their friends, with family. It’s not the photographs adults would expect to see when they grew up surrounded by conflict; it’s not photographs of trauma or sadness. I am a testament to the resilience of childish imagination, the healing power of photography and the enchanting perspective of childhood.”
Washington Post photo editor Kenneth Dickerman highlighted how photographing is a tool to be seen and how ′′ seeing people and recognising them helps restore a sense of self. And sharing it with the world helps to cement that sense of self.”
Source: Abrasivo Cultural
IG@ persjodell
What happens when you take refugee children, give them an old analogue camera and ask them to start exploring their surroundings and imaginations? The answer, in the words of photographer and Syrian refugee, Serbest Salih is; “A world of spontaneity, fun and magic.”
It’s in South-eastern Turkey, less than 30km north of the Syrian border, in Mardin where Salih, along with Turkish photographer, Emel Ernalbant, began the Sirkhane Darkroom, a mobile darkroom travelling from village to village teaching children how to shoot, develop, and print their own photographs.
For many children, the project has not only been a means to express themselves, but also develop new ways of thinking within their difficult circumstances, especially for children who have witnessed violence, poverty and war. It’s also helped build friendships between Syrian and Iraqi refugees and with their new neighbours in the Turkish province of Mardin, which has seen an influx of refugees fleeing instability and persecution in the region.
So far, close to 400 children have taken part in photographic workshops, twice a week over three months. Practising first with a filmless camera, and then with a camera complete with a black and white film. The decision to use film is all part of the process to encourage the children to be selective with their shots and to connect more deeply with their subjects.
Often the children capture private moments at home, playful encounters with friends or quirky selfies. Indeed, Salih is often surprised with what they capture, often offering an unusual perspective, he says; “Children use their imagination to create and catch moments that even a professional photographer couldn’t do.”
The project even became a crucial lifeline during the coronavirus pandemic, especially for children living in remote areas and lacking in resources or cultural opportunities.
“These aren’t the photographs adults expect to see from children who have grown up surrounded by conflict; they aren’t photographs of trauma or sadness,” says Salih. “Instead, they are a testament to the resilience of the childhood imagination, the healing power of photography, and the enchanting perspective of childhood.”
A selection of photographs, from the project has now been published in a new book called, ‘I saw the air fly,’ published by MACK. All the images have been selected by the children themselves and celebrate the child’s-eye view, in showing how everyday moments are not marked by sadness or grief, but by curiosity, play and love for their friends and family.
All proceeds from the sale of i saw the air fly will go to the Her Yerde Sanat-Sirkhane charity, whose aim is to provide a safe, friendly and embracing environment for children caught up in conflicts.
You can see a selection of images taken by the children on our Beauty for a Better World gallery
Hannelore Knuts: “Co-parenting in action to keep all of us sane -and a little bit crazy”
IG@hanneloreknuts
Werner Van Reck: “I don’t know who said this, but I think it’s fantastic: ‘Beauty is the only truth'”
IG @wernervanreck
Simon de Pury: “Since the pandemic I have been flying far less. On my way back from Bodrum, where I conducted an auction for the Naked Heart Foundation of Natalia Vodianova, the plane flew through these clouds. I never cease to be fascinated by the ever changing beauty of clouds. It makes me dream and reminds me of baroque paintings. As a child and teenager I used to dream incessantly. So much so that my parents used to say ‘Il est dans les nuages’”
IG @simondepury
Bianca Barros Almeida Pinheiro: “Beauty is being able to express yourself freely.”
IG @biancab.pinheiro
Xander Ferreira: “It is within the simplest moments of beauty that arrive as gifts in life I find inspiration. When the elements come together in a perfect moment. The light, the colours, the landscape, the creatures, the world around us can come alive in an unforgettable experience. That is magic.”
IG @xander_ferreira
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underprivileged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Kate Baxter: “For me, beauty is simple and comforting”
IG @kateabaxter
Jessica Ogden: “Beauty is when eyes talk love”
IG @the_cats_whiskers
Etienne Tordoir: “For me, singer EMY represents real beauty: with her music she aims for your heart, head and legs -and she rarely misses her target.”
IG @catwalkpictures
Yasmin Heinz: “For me Real Beauty comes from within and is called One–Togetherness; resisting, supporting, healing and remembering those lost to hate, featuring speeches and poetry followed by a vigil. The future and hope depends on the present. Above all you should stay positive within, live your dream, stay authentic, listen to the bird songs and enjoy nature. Never put up barriers in your life, as then you are limited”
IG @yasmin_heinz
Federico Marchetti: “To me beauty is freedom. Last year, when we couldn’t leave our homes, I took this photo of Lake Como with my drone. The sky reflected on the surface of the water reminded me of the infinite opportunities we have to find beauty in this world.”
Sam McKnight: “Real beauty is all around us and in us. It’s a thought, a feeling, a fragrance, a face, a mood. You just have to be open to it and beauty will find you.”
IG @sammcknight1
Peter (Pé) Gubbels is a Belgian singer-songwriter who lives in Antwerp. He has a love for language and next to his own songs, reworks songs by singers such as Peter Gabriel, Georges Brassens, Leonard Cohen, Suzanne Vega and Sting. For Beauty for a Better World he chose the song ‘Nen Boom’, from his first CD ‘Tussen het Bos en de Bomen’. Text and music by Pé Gubbels.
Pé Gubbels: “Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. It’s your soul, your heart, your mind being touched.
It’s the perfect imperfection, the inevitable flaw, the power to recognise that Beauty is natural.”
Listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/pegubbels/nen-boom
More music: https://soundcloud.com/pegubbels/
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
IG @sirkhanedarkroom
“To analyse beauty is a waste of time. Beauty is either present or absent”
IG @filepmotwary
“During my last holiday in Quebec, I went climbing with my son Matias. The rock was next to a magnificent waterfall. Hanging by my rope, I wanted at all costs to take several pictures of him. I was adamant about providing Matias with a tangible memory of the moment. It did not take long before he got really annoyed with having me behind his back like a paparazzi. He turned around towards me and I never forgot what he told me then. ‘Dad when are you going to put away that camera of yours and admire the landscape around you? Look how beautiful! Enjoy it!’ Of course, he was spot on. My thirteen-year-old son called me back to the obvious: hanging by my rope, I was surrounded by the splendours of nature. And the only thing that mattered to me was to capture in pictures for later the spectacle that I was missing out on in the present moment. Mindfulness is just about that: living the present moment, here and now. Becoming aware of oneself, of what surrounds us, of the lived moment and the unique quality of happiness each brings. Unfortunately, we often mix up states of mind and thought.”
From “The no-nonsense meditation book” Bloomsbury Press – Green Tree 2021
IG @ drstevenlaureys
Jean Claude Court: “I am sending you a pic of a denim look I made, while being in Covid confinement last year. The denim look consists of a jacket plus a micro skirt and it is look number 5 from my “Gaiden” micro collection. Making clothes was the perfect escapism for me, while I was in confinement for 3 months. It helped me to cope with high levels of anxiety and depression (I was also taking meds for it).”
“Beauty for me means having the freedom of creating what I want, with no external approval required. “
IG @jeanclaudecourt
Sir Paul Smith: “What pure beauty is? The love of the countryside, open spaces, the views and fresh air”
Suzanna Vock: “Beauty is diversity. Let’s hope for many opportunities for creative people in times of Covid. The creative minds are creative, even in difficult times”
IG @gwandsff
Teun Voeten: “Fantastic, beautiful, happy girls, wearing nothing but tattered dresses in faded gradients and primary colours, but they radiate a fierce energy and vitality. They use an old plane, a Junckers JU-52, which stands on an abandoned airport in Kabul, as a slide. The girls are poor, but full of strength and energy.”
Teun Voeten: “Beauty gives us wings, so we can escape the gravity and banality of daily existence.”
www.teunvoeten.com
IG@teunvoeten
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Ben Van Alboom: “Beauty is jazz is beauty. Bold. Pure. Idiosyncratic. In the moment. Imaginative. Alive. Authentic. Distinctive. Free.”
Jaouad Alloul: “Pure beauty is being radically yourself in a world that wants you to fit in”
“As an artist I find this pandemic challenging, but at the same time it gave me the required inner work to accelerate on a deep emotional level”
Jaouad Alloul is a multi-disciplinary artist & entrepreneur. He endeavours to give a voice to people struggling with their gender & identity and to raise awareness for LGBT rights in Islam and beyond. His mission is to connect people through art and dialogue.
IG@sjamaan.media
IG@jaouadalloul
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
IG @jopattyn
“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone” – Goethe
IG @avanavietnam
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
British-Moroccan photographer Hana Zebzabi wants the world to see the many different sides of Muslim women today. Known for her provocative photographs of confident female models, she’s now hoping to capture the essence of today’s Muslim women in the same way, something that’s difficult to achieve given the restrictions on clothing within Islam. “I adore shooting women, they’re a big inspiration because they’re so beautiful and I can look up to them. When you look at my work, you see a plethora of women being sexy, being free, being sad, being happy, being liberated, just being everything,” she told POPSUGAR. We spoke to Zebzabi about what it means to be a Muslim woman by today’s standards, the importance of speaking out to challenge old beliefs, and her upcoming project, a photo-series focused on Muslim women, called “Not Your Girl”.
Read the interview here: https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/hana-zebzabi-moroccan-photographer-interview-48193150
IG @hanazebzabi
“The tranquillity of the water heightened the superb effects of this glacial world. Majestic tabular bergs whose crevices exhaled a vaporous azure; lofty spires, radiant turrets and splendid castles; honeycombed masses illumined by pale green light within whose fairy labyrinths the water washed and gurgled.
Seals and penguins on magic gondolas were the silent denizens of this dreamy Venice. In the soft glamour of the midsummer midnight sun, we were possessed by a rapturous wonder — the rare thrill of unreality.”
— Douglas Mawson
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
IG @sirkhanedarkroom
François Real: “What is beauty to me? It’s not a quality but rather a moment, a period of time filled with peace and serenity. Time of nature and time in nature to be fully connected with the elements; a time which can be more related to nature than to culture. Even if an event, a cultural moment by definition, can correspond to beauty, whether it is a piece of music, a painting or even a sculpture like the one I have chosen among my creations to represent beauty. Beauty … it transports me to a moment of internal joy that often, alone or in company, I express loudly and strongly.”
IG @lerealmogador
Bay near Vancouver, Canada (June 2023)
Wayne Hemingway: “Right now real beauty means my ever expanding brood of grandchildren and seeing my kids make such great parents”
Chris Mooney: “There is nothing more beautiful than the silence of humility observed in the aid of others without notice or credit. Sort of like this fresh snow and the highlighted tree, except we can see it here. The beauty observed!”
IG@chrisloganmooney
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Sacha Van Wiele: “The Ferris wheel of the Sinksenfoor in Antwerp: a skeleton in the burning summer sun. Just looking at this picture makes you sweat.”
IG @sachavanwiele
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Julius Poole: “I shot this image at a friends’ house and found it to be quite beautiful. It’s the top of Antwerp Centraal Station at sunset. You can see the sky in the glass. It was my friend’s birthday that day. A beautiful image and beautiful moment indeed.”
IG: @juliuspoole
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever created is a song with my old band titled “The Simple Things”. It’s the most favourite song I have ever written. Lyrically and musically it meant a lot to me at the time -and it still does.
Josh Beech: “Real beauty to me is being yourself, whatever that means to you is cool, it’s up to interpretation but ultimately it’s who you feel you are. Being comfortable in your own skin and rocking who you are, wherever you are that’s real beauty to me. “
Interview with make-up artist and creative director of Dior Beauté Peter Philips
Wat does pure beauty mean to you?
Peter Philips: “Pure beauty in images comes from composition and balance, which each onlooker will translate for him or herself. What might be beautiful for one, isn’t necessarily beautiful for another. Pure beauty in people comes from within, nothing more, nothing less.”
What is the name/title of the submitted work?
“This shot is part of a beauty and fashion story for VOGUE Germany, June 2019 issue.”
Who collaborated in creating the submitted work?
Editor and stylist: Christiane Arp
Hair: Joseph Pujalte
Manicure: Elsa Deslandes
Photography: Pierre Debusschere
Make-up by Peter Philips
What is the inspiration and story behind the submitted work?
“This story is inspired by the work of Alexej von Jawlensky. He was one of Karl Lagerfeld’s favourites painters. With Karl we often spoke about doing a story inspired on Jawlensky’s work. Unfortunately we never came to doing it, so Christiane Arp proposed to shoot this story, as a tribute to both Karl and Jawlensky. Pierre’s light and camera movements make some of the shots look like genuine paintings.”
Can you describe the creative process that inspires you to create Beauty?
“It’s different every time. The model I work on can be the main source of inspiration, or the photographer, designer, stylist,… can be a source of inspiration. It can be something I read, I heard, I’ve seen,…! A book, a film, a flower or a fish, a sculpture, a dream,…”
Do you have any examples of how Beauty can arise from moments of crisis?
“Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is a work of beauty that expresses all the emotions that come with war and revolution. Without glorifying it, it provokes admiration.”
What are your hopes for humanity in a post COVID-19 world?
“At some moments, Covid-19 seems one of the lesser problems we’re facing. All I hope is for a better future for everyone, equality and a clean planet.”
Peter Philips: “Pure beauty in people comes from within, nothing more, nothing less.”
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Hannelore Knuts
Styling: Pablo Patane
Make-up: Liselotte van Saarloos
Hair: Joeri Rouffa
Giel Domen: “Where dreams are allowed, where fantasies exist, that’s the most perfect beauty.”
IG @domenvandevelde
IG @gieldomen
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Bolaji Alonge, aka Eyes of a Lagos Boy, uses macro photography to show the inner world of street flowers of Lagos. These flowers grow in city gardens and sidewalks in between the dirt and rubble. They symbolize the beauty of nature, both fragile and strong at the same time. Together with Lagosians, they stand proudly in the midst of the urban jungle. Bolaji shows beauty where it is least expected. During these trying times, when uncertainty is the new normal, the “small” things in life can make all the difference. However, once enlarged, they can become magical objects of wonder.
Bolaji Alonge is an artist, photographer, journalist and actor from Lagos, Nigeria with more than a decade of experience in documenting history. Bolaji Alonge’s visual language speaks of the wonders of nature and human exchange and searches for historical continuity in a world that is fractured. He shows his beloved Lagos from unexpected angles, a city that inspires and captivates imagination, but also pulls people into a vortex of energy and constant challenges. Images of everyday life in Nigeria carry deep social messages that expose fragility, audacity but also squalor. Bolaji makes the viewer reconsider what we have seen with our own eyes, through the Eyes of a Lagos Boy.
Quote: Bolaji shows beauty where it is least expected. During these trying times, when uncertainty is the new normal, the “small” things in life can make all the difference.
Website: http://eyesofalagosboy.com
Bolaji Alonge: “I show beauty where it is least expected. During these trying times, when uncertainty is the new normal, the “small” things in life can make all the difference.”
To be pure, beauty has to create an emotion, but not any type of emotion.
I believe it creates an emotion in you so sudden it connects you instantly with deep down feelings, what you might be in constant search for without finding it and then “BAM!” it’s there and suddenly it’s gone, with all what it has of preciosity. Or it might bring you to a contemplative state, an understanding, a surging questioning, a mesmerising vision of pure beauty, rarely fabricated, often accidental, many times connected to the true sense of living. Pure beauty is in essence valuable for who can be sensitive to it.
About the photo: “‘Moment de grâce’ walking the other day in a field toward this apparently immobile crow, it suddenly took off when I came upon it. It is me willing to fly away, it is me willing to be a bird, to experience what is beyond ourselves.”
Title: Walk
Olivier Theyskens: “Pure beauty is in essence valuable for who can be sensitive to it.”
‘Emotions are only a click away’
Luc Van Malderen: “Beauty is never perfect and can be found everywhere -if you are willing to look for it.”
IG@luc_van_malderen
Zeynep: “People think that only cars use this road- I wanted to show that animals do too”
Jef Paepen: “Small imperfections enhance the beauty”
La Beauté
Je suis belle, ô mortels! comme un rêve de pierre,
Et mon sein, où chacun s’est meurtri tour à tour,
Est fait pour inspirer au poète un amour
Eternel et muet ainsi que la matière.
(Charles Baudelaire)
De schoonheid
Mooi ben ik, als een droom van steen, o stervelingen!
Mijn borsten, waaraan elk van u zich heeft bezeerd,
Hebben zo menig dichter reeds geïnspireerd
Tot stille liefde, eeuwig als de stof der dingen.
(vertaling Peter Verstegen)
Emma Baetens: “Where the crystal coloured seas and pearly white beaches feel like the warmest home I’ve ever been invited to. Having fun at the place we’re rooted in: The Philippines.”
Currently I am working on a series reflecting on the impossible split of contemporary life, the Entanglement series. These sculptures fuse the vulnerability of adolescent humans with that of naked trees. A series overthinking both the drama and the joy of human life on earth in the Anthropocene.
Silvia B: “OF BEAUTY & DOUBT is the credo for my work. The one creates the other and no sculpture can do without.”
IG @ silviab.visual.arts
Tommy Tranq and Sidney Riley formed the band Vanity Police earlier this year and Tommy sent us the track ‘Beautiful Lies’, that premiered on January 6th, 2021.
About real beauty the band says: “What real beauty means to us is when someone can walk through life being confident in themselves, refusing to embrace anyone else’s opinions of them but their own and they do so with so much grace, patience and authenticity that they can’t help but radiate a true inner and outer peace. We think real beauty is radiating inner and outer peace in your own way and having the power to ignore other peoples’ negative energy because you value your own self worth.”
Vanity Police: “Real beauty is radiating inner and outer peace in your own way and having the power to ignore other peoples negative energy because you value your own self worth.”
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underprivileged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Guy Kokken: “I enjoy looking at the clouds. The beauty of the skies lies in its transitory aspect. Always moving. Never the same. It has this calming effect on my restless soul.”
IG@guykokken
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
We are very proud to present the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
We are proud to present you the photography work of children for the Sirkhane Darkroom project.
DARKROOM is a small mobile photography workshop for vulnerable and underpriviliged children residing in the south east of Turkey, a few miles from the Syrian border.
The project is part of Sirkhane, whose mission it is to provide hope and beauty through social circus, music and arts for the most vulnerable children effected by conflicts and war
Discover more about the project here: https://heryerdesanat.org/darkroom
Wim Vanlessen: “Whatever you are, be a good one”
IG @wimvanlessen
Vincent Van den Dries: “Perfect beauty for me is otherworldly and without bounds.”
IG @vincentvandendries
Nancy Ruffin: “Mother Nature has the best box of crayons”
IG @ruffinnancy
I painted these two artworks in the first lockdown in Vienna in March/April 2020. I just came back from a trip to Mexico, where I met the bat researcher Rodrigo Medellín in the jungle of Calakmul. I then started my corona series ‘Bat rules – kingdom comes’. In my series the bats fight back and overrule the planet in the form of a big party.
Saint Corona is an early Christian martyr.
In 177 A.D., the then 16 year-old Corona was cruelly executed after she had stood by her husband Victor, who had been arrested for persecuting Christians. Sadly, Corona was tied between two bent palm trees, which tore her apart as she skyrocketed.
Corona is the patron saint of money, the treasure hunter, the butcher and the woodcutter. She is worshipped for her steadfastness in faith and is called upon to prevent storms, crop failure and (animal) diseases.
When I painted these 2 holy coronas, I was in the state of inner peace and I felt like an observer. The holy Corona fits perfectly in the year 2020 with the pandemic: the first painting warns of destroying the rainforest, the horrible conditions on wildlife markets and the killing of dying races.
The dove holds a ribbon with ‘FAITH’ written on it. On the day when I painted it, singer Marianne FAITHful was taken to hospital due to Covid-19.
For “Corona rising“ she has freed herself from earthly treasures, her view is towards spiritual wealth. Bats carry her crown (bats carry the corona virus), flowers are blooming and everything that counts is LOVE.
I feel these pictures are beautiful, because they speak so clearly.
Mari Otberg: “Real beauty to me means sensitivity, soul, courage, humanity, kindness, solidarity, romance, charity, meta-level”
IG @mariotberg
Laurent Dombrowicz: “I never considered beauty as something calm or superficial. The emotion of beauty is often violent. It’s really strongly emotional to me. This is why I chose (and shot) this Vanitas, from my own Wunderkammer. It evokes at the same time art and science, naturalia and artefacts, life and death. This is pure beauty to me.”
IG @laurentdombrowicz
Pia Versele: “Beauty is everywhere, anything, endless, vision, emotion, overwhelming, attraction, seeing, discovering, feeling, tasting, touching, hearing, smiling, affection, melting, wellbeing…”
Ilham Mestour: “There is no exquisite beauty without some strangeness in the proportions”
Shoot for Vogue Arabia
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Veronique Gielkens @ paparazzimodels
Styling: Roel Schagen
Make-up: Kathinka Gernant
Hair: Ilham Mestour
IG @ilhammestour
Jody Van Geert: I want to quote Franco Moschino: “Good taste doesn’t exist. It is our taste. We have to be proud of it.”
Model: Jhona Burjack
Photo: Dirk Alexander
Styling: Jody Van Geert
Mak- up/Hair: Sabine Peeters
Fashion: Moschino and bare fine jewelry
IG @jodyvgstylist
Kenneth Van de Velde: “Beauty makes you dream, gives you the power to continue to follow you path and elevates you to a higher level.”
Shoot for Numero Russia
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Estelle Nehring @ amodels amsterdam
Styling: Julia Muller
Make-up: Kathinka Gernant
Hair: Ilham Mestour
Movement: Wim Vanlessen
IG @domenvandevelde
IG@kennethvandevelde
Pure beauty, for me, lies in the details on which light has fallen upon. It might be as small as the structure of a leaf, the fragmented light of blinded shutters over a woman’s silhouette, the twinkle in an eye, the reflection of a cloud in a window, the corner of a smile, a soft and loving sigh or as grand as a sky full of stars at a mediterranean sea horizon. Pure beauty has the power to bring me a moment of peace, as I pause in wonder.
Earnest: “Pure beauty has the power to bring me a moment of peace, as I pause in wonder.”
IG: @earnest.art
Art Collective: www.letsplayground.be
Gia Sky: “Beauty is within, beauty is also to be seen in the most simple things in life.”
IG: @itsmegiasky
Liselotte van Saarloos: “Feel free to play, dream, create without boundary…unapologetically. That is pure beauty to me.”
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Hannelore Knuts
Styling: Pablo Patane
Hair: Joeri Rouffa
Make-up: Liselotte van Saarloos
IG: liselottevansaarloos
Yvonne Nusdorfer: “Perfect beauty is imperfection. Asymmetrical. Beauty that exudes confidence and is sexy. Where a little softness and love are hidden within.”
Shoot for Vogue Mexico
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Lisa Vollebreght
Stylist: Pablo Patane
Make up: Yvonne Nusdorfer
Hair: Bianca Van Zwieten
IG @yvonnenusdorfer
Joffrey Conings: “Empowered, strong women are beauty, beauty for a stronger, beautiful world.”
Photo: Domen & Vandevelde
Mua: Yvonne Nusdorfer
Styling: Julia Muller
Hair: Joffrey Conings
IG @joffreyconings
IG @hairbyandrogyn
Joeri Rouffa: “Beauty can be found in many different ways, I like to call this beauty. All this “minimalism” makes this high-end fashion image one of a kind.”
Photography: Domen & Van de Velde
Styling: Jody Van Geert
Make-up: Yvonne Nusdorfer
Hair: Joeri Rouffa
IG @joerirouffa
Julia Muller: “Real beauty is someone who radiates self-confidence and is proud of what makes him/her different”
Shoot for Numero Russia
Photo: Domen & Van de Velde
Model: Estelle Nehring @ amodels amsterdam
Styling: Julia Muller
Make-up: Kathinka Gernant
Hair: Ilham Mestour
Movement: Wim Vanlessen
G @juliamullerstyling
Chris Philippo: “Pure Beauty to me, is the reason that we smile, we feel, we survive and therefore we are. It is the reason we feel pain and therefore feel joy.”
IG @chrisphilippo
Inge Cornil: “The power of nature and the regeneration process of Planet Earth mean pure beauty to me”
IG @ cornil_inge
Martin Bergström: “The most beautiful flowers tend to grow in the dirtiest soil”
Picture taken from the Project: Splendor Solis
Photograph: Thomas Klementsson
Design: Martin Bergstrom
I find beauty in imperfection and transience. I am fascinated by the ephemeral nature of beauty – the quietly elated, bittersweet feeling of having been witness to the dazzling circus of life – knowing that none of it can last. It’s basically about being both saddened by and appreciative of transience. You become aware of how significant those moments are!
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” -Leonard Cohen
Gert Motmans: “I am fascinated by the ephemeral nature of beauty – the quietly elated, bittersweet feeling of having been witness to the dazzling circus of life – knowing that none of it can last.”
We miss out on the beauty of life when we choose the safe side of the fence. Reassured by the limits we place onto ourselves, we’re afraid to take to break those boundaries and step into the unknown.
“Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow” (NormanVincent Peale) .
Barbara Franchin: “We miss out on the beauty of life when we choose the safe side of the fence.”
“Pure Beauty” is a subjective consciousness, as long as what you like is beautiful, what you don’t like, why care if it is beautiful or not. There is no certain definition of beauty and everyone’s perception of beauty is not necessarily the same.
It’s a good work for you that can make your heart move, touch and feel love, right? Feeling comfortable psychologically, and if you like it when you see it, is called beauty. It is all based on psychological feeling, not just for painting or photograph, but also for other things.
Beauty can be very direct, for example, beauty is a pleasant feeling at first sight without thinking. It can also be deep, for example, beauty is a feeling that reverberates in the depths of the soul.
Beauty can be very concrete. For example, of all three-dimensional shapes, the spherical shape is the most beautiful and of all flat shapes, the circle is the most beautiful. It can also be very abstract – for example, beauty is a concept.
Marvis Chan: “Beauty can be very concrete. For example, of all three-dimensional shapes, the spherical shape is the most beautiful and of all flat shapes, the circle is the most beautiful. It can also be very abstract – for example, beauty is a concept.”
IG @marvismmm
To me, beauty is something pure. Which comes from the heart. When I look for my models or people to work with I always get attracted to those who don’t try to be beautiful & don’t try to hide their real self. Beauty shows when you don’t look for it. Natural, like how nature never tries to please us, but yet always does.
Linde Stevens: “Beauty shows when you don’t look for it. Natural, like how nature never tries to please us, but yet always does.”
In Obudu Mountain there is so much to come across and there are several waterfalls to see. They have the Grontto fall, where the pool is not too deep. The one pictured is one of the deepest pools, which is about 20 feet deep. Only little kids were found swimming in this deep pool -they are great swimmers!
Story and photos by Babatunde Aremu, Nigeria- one of the artists taking part in Beauty for a Better World
Adrien Gras: “I love the poetry and the colours in this image. The non-obvious beauty, the imperfection. It’s messy and beautiful at the same time. Peaceful too.”
IG @ adriengrasfashioneditor
Oskar Lindholm: “Real beauty for me means nature, people… life comes in many colours and how boring would it be if it didn’t?”
Title: Ocean Mood, Sumba, Indonesia
What is the inspiration and story behind the submitted work?
“The inspiration I had for this image, had to be soft with a little rough edge. Think 90’s with a tender feel”
What is the definition and purpose of pure beauty to you?
“Pure beauty to me would be to stay true to yourself, enhance one of your best features. Keep it easy, there is a time and place to play around.”
Title: Tulip
David Stella-Traylor: “Pure beauty to me would be to stay true to yourself, enhance one of your best features. Keep it easy, there is a time and place to play around.”
This piece of work represents beauty, it represents all the beautiful people that have lost their lives due to this cruel disease. It represents all the people living day to day as HIV positive. It is a beautiful legacy to all to never forget and to remind everyone that this disease still very much affects people, it doesn’t discriminate. Over 6000 various Red Ribbons were stitched lovingly onto this dress. It is also a beautiful reminder of the time I have been luckily given to be able to complete it and exhibit it as much as possible.
Title: Red Ribbon Dress (2012)
“Real beauty is to see perfection in the imperfection”
Title: Unconditional Love
Karin Van De Schootbrugge: “Real beauty is to see perfection in the imperfection”
“Beauty hides in strange places, even in sadness and sorrow.”
Title: ‘Dans toutes les larmes s’attarde un espoir” – Simone de Beauvoir
Quote: “Beauty hides in strange places, even in sadness and sorrow.”
“Pure beauty is not only a visual or intellectual emotion, it’s a feeling that can unexpectedly get hold of you, surprises and humbles you”
Title: Laetitia
Website: https://www.jfcarly.com/
Jean-François Carly: “Pure beauty is not only a visual or intellectual emotion, it’s a feeling that can unexpectedly get hold of you, surprises and humbles you”
Beauty lies in the acceptance of difference, difference as an asset, something about ourselves that could enrich our collective lives on a material and cultural basis. When I photograph, I often strive to find difference in the commonplace. In this image of trees, for instance, it almost seems like an abstract painting to me, at first, and invites the viewer to appreciate difference.
Title: Trees
Chael Needle: “Beauty lies in the acceptance of difference, difference as an asset, something about ourselves that could enrich our collective lives on a material and cultural basis.”
“Real beauty is other people”
Title: Lucky Ladybird (2020)
Photo taken by Maja Barker
Anne Davis: “Real beauty is other people”
“The Beauty to Achieve Goals” gives details of the female Nigerian Gen-Z singer and song writer Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, who was born in Lagos in 1995. Tems loved Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child; she felt a restlessness and strong desire to sing. At age 11, she started to train her voice to really get into music: she joined the choir in high school and recorded songs every day with her elder brother who had a guitar. She became friends with her music teacher, who gave Tems access to professional help with her music at a young age. She learned how to play the piano and heavily consumed everything from Asa, Frank Ocean, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Beyoncé and Rihanna, for their authentic emotional content.
She writes, sings and produces her music by herself, and when her three specialities come together, it becomes a beautiful whole. Tems pushed her best music to the world and the world accepted her realness and amazing music, with love, which has made her a star for everyone else to see. She has testified to the world how beautiful it is to achieve goals.
THRIVE
In Life, it takes so much dedication of time and energy to grow vigorously or to progress toward or realize a goal despite of circumstances.
HIGH FLY
To make steady progress or to be at the high point in one’s career in life or to gain high point in historical significance or importance all it cost is a plan and vision.
Beauty for a Better World
My story: “No matter the condition of problems and challenges in life, as long as one never gives up and relent in others to aim for better days, dreams will surely come true, when we find our purpose in life. This will help us make the world a better place.”
Title: Triumphant
Website: https://500px.com/babatundearemu02/galleries/the-beauty-to-achieve-goals
Babatunde Aremu: “No matter the condition of problems and challenges in life, as long as one never gives up and relent in others to aim for better days, dreams will surely come true, when we find our purpose in life. This will help us make the world a better place.”
In this time of COVID I am visiting Mom and trying to enjoy every second with her. We are talking about keepsakes and family heirlooms. I am also trying harder to do little gestures to show her how much I love her and to stay present.
Title: Mom’s hand, figurine and roses
Sean Black: “In this time of COVID I am visiting Mom and trying to enjoy every second with her.”
Beauty for me is in the most fundamental and simple things, situations and people… in life: beauty exists in everything and it needs an open mind to detect it… Beauty in my book stands for kindness & realness in people, nature, animals, small incidental surprising situations. Beauty is not what society tries to lay upon us, but goes beyond.
Title: Kori- Summerhead
Alex Van Der Steen: “Beauty is not what society tries to lay upon us, but goes beyond.”
“Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful.” This is the motto of Dorya Glenn, the pseudonym of Belgian photographer Filip Naudts and Dutch-Chinese writer Julie O’yang. Dorya Glenn is the creature of beauty and power, both of which are crucial fighting for compassion, equality and tolerance in today’s global world. The photo shoot is part of the collaborative art book project “The Picture of Dorya Glenn”, created by the artist duo who believe both in the freedom of expression and the healing power of beauty. This is a piece of work that aims to make the viewer think. The artist duo also think art is a verb: art is “think and make think”.
Title: The Picture of Dorya Glenn
Website: http://www.guardalafotografia.be/
Filip Naudts & Julie O’Yang: “Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful.”
Real beauty to me is being present to pay attention to the details
Title: Los Angeles
Website: http://passeprojects.com
Rachel Graham: “Real beauty to me is being present to pay attention to the details”
I took this photo in February, the last time my husband and I were able to go out. For me, it speaks to the loneliness and isolation we long-term HIV/AIDS survivors endure.
Title: My Wheelchair (2020)
Beauty must always reflect an earthly ideal, yet also be coloured, if ever so faintly, by the obscure horizons of the extra-terrestrial; no earth without space, no life without death.
Title: None Of Us Are Innocent (1990)
Jacques Pantazes: “Beauty must always reflect an earthly ideal, yet also be coloured, if ever so faintly, by the obscure horizons of the extra-terrestrial; no earth without space, no life without death.”
Beauty can be found anywhere, in anything. An image, a sound, a memory, an idea: it doesn’t matter. The moment you feel it, you know it.
Title: Gothica
IG: pat.finder
Pat Boets: “Beauty can be found anywhere, in anything. An image, a sound, a memory, an idea: it doesn’t matter. The moment you feel it, you know it.”
Churchtown Dairy’s founder, Abby Rockefeller, was inspired by William Copperthwaite’s quote ‘Beauty is a birthright and the lack of beauty is a sign of great danger’, made beauty the cornerstone of Churchtown’s mission. “We strive to imbue all our work with beauty — the buildings, the gardens, the care of the animals and the economic and social systems within which we work.”
Title: Churchtown Diary: “A Castle for the Cows”
Quote: “Beauty is a birthright and the lack of beauty is a sign of great danger”
I took this photo in the spring of 2018 at around 5 AM, after another sleepless and painful night. In February of that year I had a spinal stroke and the after-effects took a long time to heal and are in fact still ongoing at the end of 2020.
I was feeling down, walked to the window and saw this view, of our back garden in the mist. Took this photo with my iPhone and immediately felt a lot happier again.
Nature has that effect: it’s not only the greatest artist in the universe, it’s also a fantastic healer. Let’s take care of nature as well as we can- also in our own interest.
Real beauty: You know it when you see real beauty, as it touches you deep within. It’s also a physical reaction (intuition, reflex), it’s what makes us human and what connects us with all other people.
Title: Misty Morning in the Garden
Website: beautywithoutirony.com
Ninette Murk: “You know it when you see real beauty, as it touches you deep within. It’s also a physical reaction (intuition, reflex), it’s what makes us human and what connects us with all other people.”
“Come Get Your Honey” is a story about the transgender and queer refugees in Berlin. While respecting their struggle, it shows my journey of weaving bonds with a community through fragility, friendship and joy. This work rejects current mainstream narratives on queer and refugee identities, which widely reduce them to their agony. This is performed either by romanticising their pain and struggle, or surgically exploring their body from the “outsider” gaze. Instead, my work aims to depict them as complex human beings in their wholeness, trying to establish a new home in a foreign country and an extremely polarised political climate. As a queer person with a desire to live better, I intimately relate to their pursuit and draw references from my own life.
Title: Come Get Your Honey
Website: http://www.sametdurgun.com
Samet Durgun: ““Come Get Your Honey” is a story about the transgender and queer refugees in Berlin. While respecting their struggle, it shows my journey of weaving bonds with a community through fragility, friendship and joy.”
This picture of my daughters’ eye represents an ode to both beauty and a better world to me. Not only because of its natural beauty. But also, because the eyes of a child invite me to look at the world in a more authentic, marvelled, unprejudiced and unconventional way. Abilities that most of the adult people have lost on their way to the age of consent. If we would look through the eyes of a child more often, we can go back to the age when social and cultural boundaries were not hindering us yet! So, here’s my advice to all the parents in the world: never ignore the fact that your young child suddenly halts in the middle of your hasty way from one appointment to the next because something caught its eye. Encourage it to stop and watch. This way, your child will learn to recognise and maybe even to create beauty later on. It will keep its eyes and mind open, so it will be more sensitive for beauty… That’s my idea of gently improving the world!
Title: The Eye of Jis
Sigrid Beek: “The eyes of a child invite me to look at the world in a more authentic, marvelled, unprejudiced and unconventional way”
Real beauty to me can simply mean being present. If we can pull ourselves away from our tiny screens and simply look out the window, smell a flower, feel the dirt under our feet. It’s all around us if we take the time to be with nature’s bounty.
Title: Sunrise On Sullivan’s Island With Fergus
Cator Sparks: “Real beauty to me can simply mean being present.”
It’s been heavy for all of us, these times, I was just taken again to a place that I barely remember. But I also found it by searching what is the thing that is beautiful for me in the midst of chaos. This time it’s the forest (always been, but all over the world… This is my home one, that I didn’t get to see much for a long time). It’s my home hoods. Literally. I’m a traveller of spaces and times … And been basically everywhere that was necessary to my growth. But I was taken back… Not just because of Covid-19. But because someone in my family is close to dying as well at this point…
It’s hard. But it’s part of the game of Life. In the end even the sadness is beautiful, because we’re in that together as a family. So this picture portraits that… The Autumn of the forest, letting go… Sometimes even of the precious ones. Home. And the energetics that I see of it. Peace and love from the North.
Title: Autumn Forest
Phaedra Sinatra: “In the end even the sadness is beautiful, because we’re in that together as a family.”
What does real beauty mean to you? If you’re asking me that question, I’m probably not really sure what to answer. What I know… real beauty is natural, real beauty doesn’t need any filters, real beauty is radiating from within.
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in some ways, and they’re still beautiful.” -Alice Walker
And I couldn’t agree more! These pictures of the green nature in Setul (West Java) perfectly describe what Alice Walter said and what I know about real beauty; it’s natural and doesn’t need any filters.
The last one is the picture of my best friend and I. Recently, we were not being our best selves (mentally and physically) then we decided to find peace and fresh air in nature today. Truth to be told: we’ve never been this happy lately! Natural, no filters and we are genuinely happy -it seems like our happiness is radiating through the picture. It feels like we are another example of real beauty.
Title: Happiness is a walk in nature
Quote: “Real beauty is natural, real beauty doesn’t need any filters, real beauty is radiating from within.”
Some might think they’re just weeds, others might see its beauty
Title: Beauty or Weed?
As they say: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but perhaps Pure Beauty is the effort of the opening and understanding we go through when we look at other’s ideas of beauty and have to think and feel what they see, think and feel with their particular take on beauty
Title: The Fabric Decides (2019)
Alex Hidalgo: “As they say: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but perhaps Pure Beauty is the effort of the opening and understanding we go through when we look at other’s ideas of beauty and have to think and feel what they see, think and feel with their particular take on beauty”
In the current pandemic and the constant negativity that is propagated by the media it is easy to get dragged down and become thoroughly despondent. You then go to a place where the pace of life is so slow and seems relatively untouched by all the coronavirus bollocks and it quickens your heartbeat and makes you happy to be alive.
Title: Puteus Palace: Dancing In The Moonlight
Simon Jobson: “You go to a place where the pace of life is so slow and seems relatively untouched by all the coronavirus bollocks and it quickens your heartbeat and makes you happy to be alive”
I never really sat down and thought about what I like in the world. Until Ninette (creative director of this project) asked me that question. The first things I came across were pictures of nature, vintage, art, etc. She replied that it’s very common for people to go for these. So my plan was to try to avoid these. I had to go deeper and look for things that you don’t expect to be beautiful. Also had not much to do these past weeks with this whole pandemic situation. Sitting at my desk with a cup of mint tea and bowl with a trail mix of nuts. Not knowing what I’m looking for, makes it almost impossible to describe it in the google search bar. And even then I will mainly get popular results. I’m looking for something personal and decide to just go on a journey in my head. Going through a whole lot of memories, trying to find small connections between them. I’m a person who can really enjoy being alone, but these past months of quarantine made me realise how much I miss family gatherings. And that’s when it struck me and I came to realise what I find beautiful in this world: mint tea. In Morocco it’s custom to serve your guests mint tea. It’s that one thing that’s always there. I might just have made a connection between tea and family gatherings. Making it that tea reminds me or just delivers this warm feeling of comfort.
Fikri Zarioh: “In Morocco it’s custom to serve your guests mint tea. It’s that one thing that’s always there. I might just have made a connection between tea and family gatherings. Making it that tea reminds me or just delivers this warm feeling of comfort.”
Beauty is within. Is something inside that comes out. That attracts and connects people with each other. Beauty is a mindset, a way of thinking and looking, feeling. Beauty is love and respect for yourself, so you can see beauty in everything and everyone. Beauty is something we can discover. If we dare to put ourselves in that world. Beauty is consolation. Beauty is a contrast with the ugliness. The antidote to the darkness and emptiness in the world. Maybe a medicine to recover from all that poison. Beauty is art, is life, is a way of being. And it makes us all more beautiful.
Title: Inner Grounds
Website: https://www.faryda.com/
Faryda Moumouh: “Beauty is art, is life, is a way of being. And it makes us all more beautiful.”
Brandon Stringfellow La Voie: “Beauty isn’t what you see… it’s how you see it. The Alinker Family Farm understands it’s not IF you can achieve wellness… it’s if you have ACCESS to it. Together we move differently, in order to build a kinder and more equitable world for and by us all.”
IG @stringfellow_deeds
Big Hair, Big Love
We decided to use this shoot as a campaign for Beauty for a Better World. Together with the BFBW founder we created this story. For me, this is perfect beauty, beauty with a twist, beauty with a dream, and a vision.
There is a huge need to dream again; the world needs inspiration more than ever. We need to collect all this beauty as a massive shoutout to let people create and dream again. Transgender and gay people are still the centre of disrespect and incomprehension.
With this story, I want to show that there is nothing more beautiful than a body in its pure art form. Whatever gender, whatever orientation you are, it’s all the same: love.”
Giel Domen: “I want to show that there is nothing more beautiful than a body in its pure art form. Whatever gender, whatever orientation you are, it’s all the same: love.”
