giovedì 21 giugno 2012

Who is the person behind the photos?

My name is Maja Malou, some people think it is just my artist name, but actually my parents could't decide if it should be Maja or Malou, so they gave me both, and that I appreciate today! I am 19 (just turned this week) I live in Aarhus, witch is the 2nd largest city in Denmark.  I study and spend my time at a little Photography school and I just applied for the art academy (fingers crossed!) I also work at a art & coffee shop and a cosy vintage store.

 How did you discover photography and what makes you keep on doing it?
 Well.. Photography came vert unexpected. When I was still at school, and my friends started studying at the gymnasium (high school) I really didn't feel like it. I wanted to explore the world and be creative - I was sick of maths and biology! 
So.. I was young and confused! I tend to be the melancholic kind of gal ;-)
My mother is a very talented portrait photographer- but that didn't interest me. But she started giving me small photo assignments, and because I didn't have any thing else to do - I stared taking pictures - of my self. It became a way to express myself, my thoughts and feelings. It was very therapeutic! And I keep doing it that way - every picture I take is very personal. And I will keep staying a photographer as long as I have something to express.


 Is there anything you want express with your works?
All my secrets. It is easier when they are not in words.


 If you could be one age forever, how old would you be?
Wow, that is such a difficult question, I think every age has its charme! But sure...I wanna be forever young!

 
 Which artist do you like to work with?
The first name that popped up in my head was Jon Estwards, a young photographer from Canada. I really admire his work, and have been admiring it for some time now. But I don't know that many current artist.  Joachim Trier is also amazing, he made an amazing film in 2011 'Oslo 31. august' - I saw it in cinema 3 times, a movie that touched me deeply. He is half danish, half norwegain - a very talented movie maker, I must say. He really knows how to picture the melancholic feel. 
Im sure when I send you this, I will remember the perfect answer, hah!


What are your hobbies besides photography?
Photography is just one part of my life. 
I am also extremly film fanatic! I host a little cinemateque in my city Aarhus, called 'Siglo XX'. I show amazing independent films from the 20th century (fx. The Holy Mountain, Salò, They call Her One eye) 
I also host art exhibitions for young and upcoming artists, right now I am hosting a really amazing project in a large sqaure room with a window out to the street, only able to look in. I also publish small independent zines, I did a really cool newspaper last year, called 'Fragments'
 I also try making as many exhibitions with my own photography as possible - I reaaaally enjoy 
 exhibitioning!  
What do you expect from your photographic future?
I expect to keep doing what I do best - expressing myself through self-portraits. I don't tend to do anything else - I am very shy when it comes to photography. I could never work with any one except myself or my close friends!
But I expect to keep working on ways to present and express photography - I plan on working on larger scale installations, which involves photography. 
Thanks to:Maja Malou Lyse