‘F*CK’ – the artists 404
Meet the artists behind ‘FUCK’ – the Exhibition.
Click on name for their work.
Kana Beisekeyev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kana is a 22 year old documentary photographer from Kazakhstan with special focus on social projects. In 2013, he won a scholarship through SABY, a charity foundation, which allowed him to study abroad in New York. During his studies, he continued his documentary work with projects involving Kazakh people in America. His project on Kazakh children adoption in America has been acclaimed with more than 100,000 viewers in his home country. In November, 2014, Kana’s project on autistic children, ‘Fly Away’, has been selected for a solo exhibition in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Kana is now based in New York, where he continues to challenge himself to tackle social problems and document them through photography.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
Always Alone
In my country, a woman’s place has always been second to a man’s. It is their duty to present themselves beautifully, to have an education, to be artistically impressive, and to care for men and their families. But men, we only think about one thing.
Kan on Serazard: Fly Away, Diana and Kristen
Serazard Artist Feature: The Photographer
Choi David, Seoul, Korea
David grew up with a self proclaimed, ‘Korean gypsy’ family, which forced him to embrace and adapt to many different types of lifestyles and conditions. Vancouver was the family’s last stop, and it was there where his passion for photography started to bud. With a background in film and writing, David’s approach to photography is often heavily influenced by tableau portraiture. Professionally, aside from shooting and writing for Serazard, David works in New York’s fashion and commercial industry as a creative director and producer.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
Fuck You Dad
I was raised by an Atticus Finch of a father; wise and very open minded. I first heard of the word, ‘fuck’ in the 1st grade in Baltimore from this white kid named, Ben. It was fascinating to see everyone’s reaction when I said ‘fuck’, or showed kids the middle finger. By lunch time, Ben and I got into a lot of trouble, but I didn’t understand why. A few days later, I accidentally said it to my dad, but to my surprise, he didn’t punish me like the rest of the world. Instead, he carefully lectured me on how it was okay to swear because even the pope swears on his off day, however it was also important to make people feel safe by following simple social etiquettes. After our talk, I felt like the most special kid in the whole wide world because of the freedom I had. I respected the holy sanctity of the public world, but right after the bell rang, I was swearing my heart out.
So, fuck it, dad. This one’s for you.
David on Serzard: Stoners of the World, UNCUT RAW
Arturo Meza, New Jersey, USA
Arturo is a disabled army veteran who served in Iraq. After parting from the military, he traveled across the country from NY to Miami, Atlanta, Texas, and LA, shooting music videos and becoming an editor for MTV. His passion for photography began at an early age, always intrigued by family photos. Since grammar school he began carrying around a disposable camera all the way through high school and into his army days documenting crazy late night parties to the lonely deserts of Iraq.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
Girls, Girls, I Do Adore
The concept of my project is based on the perception men have on women. Men tend to undress women with their eyes, check out their measurements, and pick and choose which girl they want to take home for the night. Many men today look at women for their bodies, because of all the artificial beauty that surgery provides. They would rather take home a woman that has a great body than than a beautiful face. Personality is not even an issue.
However, with physical beauty, women power over men. They play, they tease, and they make us fall for them…then they tell us to go fuck ourselves. Women.
I shot the project with polaroids because I love the gritty and grimy feel the film brings out. The fuzzy texture also mimics intoxication or being under the influence.
Am I right, fellas?
Arturo on Serazard: Polaroids
Serazard Artist Feature: Arturo Meza
Patricia Montrase, Sao Paulo, Brasil
Patricia is a photographer from Sao Paulo, Brazil, currently working in NY. Her imagination is informed by her captivation with books and films based on fantasy, nature, and mysticism. Her photographic works draw influence from the aesthetics of pictorial and romantic image traditions. The results are photographs that are moody, and atmospheric – images that transport the viewer to another time and place.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
Fucking Cupid
My inspiration comes from the painting ‘Love’s Resistance’ by William Bouguereau, a French academic painter and traditionalist. This painting always made me think about the young girl’s expression. Is she happy or in pain? Either way, it’s sad and real. For so many reasons, this is true to me, and if I had the chance to meet the winged guy, I would probably say, ‘Fuck You Cupid!’
Patricia on Serazard: Ara Ini, Qu’ils mangent de la brioche
Serazard Artist Feature: Patricia
Atanacio Perez, Bronx, NY, USA
Atanacio is an NYC – Bronx based artist, with a background in photography and graphic design. He is a combat veteran with five years of experience in the US Army. His photographs examine the relationship between the urban environment and its occupants. Atanacio’s upcoming projects will take viewers on a poetic and illuminating journey through the ever evolving urban landscapes of New York City.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
fuck
It’s about money, power, and sex. Everything in the image is ‘fuck’. Guilty pleasures, tools of the trade, and things of empowerment are wrecked upon sodomizing the American dream. The photographs are composed of material items which symbolizes man’s obsessive urge to procreate and control their surroundings. Society has become dependent on these items to such a point it has replaced religion and purpose as a mean of moral esteem. Through these images I take items and deprive them of their possessive power by dismantling them and rendering them useless in the environment.
Atanacio on Serazard: Left Behind
Paolo Testa, Milan, Italy
Coming straight outta Milan, Paolo is a fashion photographer inspired by the beauty of black and white tonal depth and female portraiture. His work draws influence from classic fashion icons such as Avedon, Lindbergh, Meisel, and Richardson, mixed with his rebellious energy. Currently, Paolo is working on his first book, which he plans on publishing this year.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
Don’t Be Shy
Italians are timid people…until we start talking. We’re wild, energetic talkers; we talk using our hands and sometimes even our boots. One of the main catalysts that make Italian conversations so unique is the fact that we swear an unnecessarily large amount. There isn’t a rollercoaster ride that compares to two Italian best friends ranting to each other about absolutely nothing. ‘Fuck’ to me represents the rhythm in Italian dialogue and the dynamic rapport swearing causes in conversations. It was a challenge for me to visually show the highs and lows of a typical Italian conversation, especially using my background as a fashion photographer. Using my favourite black and white portrait format, I came up with a diptych that best captures spontaneous outburst of energy.
Paolo on Serazard: Falling, My Hero in Lindbergh
Serazard Artist Feature: Behind the Scenes with Paolo Testa
Ping Wang, Beijing, China
Ping was born and raised in Beijing, China. Now based in New York, his photographic work explores the delicate balance between Eastern and Western culture, resulting in a personal style characterized by restraint and drama. His emotional sensitivity drives him to focus on subleties of light, architecture and moments that often go unobserved.
‘Fuck’ the Statement
LUÒ HÓNG
Luo hóng: to see virgin blood. In Chinese culture, it represents female chastity and the value recognition of a woman to their potential husband. Much like in Western culture, the bride and the groom would spread a white sheet on their wedding night, and when luo hóng occurs, the husband will keep the blood stained sheet to show it to relatives and guests. If a woman does not have luo hóng, they are considered as not chaste, ranging from being ridiculed to heavy punishment. Today, sexual attitudes in China are more open, and inspection of female chastity is no longer a critical ritual. Although the men do not expect or measure a woman’s worth through luo hóng, there is still a lingering fascination over virgin women. Using symbolism, exaggerated stage manifestations, and restoring a scene of people seeing luo hong on a wedding night, I recreate a moment of blood lust revolving around the phenomenon.
Ping on Serazard: 7 Minutes, Where Are You Looking at 2014
Serazard Artist Feature: Michael Jackson
Photographed by Kana Beisekeyev // www.beisekeyev.com // @beisekeyev