STRIP-BOOK #1

PLUGGER photographed by Martina Spagnoli Plugger is an open project. The elements of this project are mysterious. It’s a new music gender. It’s not a remix, not even a re edit, not even a mash-up, not even a cover. This project extracts parts of an original music composition and they elaborate it in a new way “This is not a record”; that’s their first music disk, released on the 14th of February 2014. There are 5 different versions: morning, daylight, sunset, sunrise, night, all related to the different parts of the day. “If you put together all the pieces of your existance, every time in the same way, you are just repeating your status. And if your status isn’t the way that you expected to be, you are fucked. If you put together all the pieces, all the different combinations, you have infinite possibilities to run away from what you don’t like.You create your freedom everyday with your hands. Lorange Sadbaars: “La musica e’ esaurita’ Text by Matteo Razzaguta152

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Tell me about you. Where do you find inspiration for your work? When everything vanishes before your very eyes, you might as well hold on tight to the few things you think are true. That’s it...What is your main characteristic and your main fault? My main characteristic is also my main fault : I’m human! Your idea of happiness and your idea of misery? Happiness is peace, misery is chaos. What is you present state of mind? Peace and chaos. What is your obsession? Seeking infinite into finitness. If not yourself, who would you like to be? I’d like now to be you, to see myself from another perspective. As you see, is always matter of egotism. We will never tear off ourselves. What do you love most in the world? All the things in my life. What do you love less in the world? All the things in my life. STRIP for you is? Taking off your clothes. You start, I’ll follow. We become what we see? Lies. Because eyes,if you’re not wise, can see only a small part: reality, a disguise.156



WONDERFUR LUKA158Tell me about you. Where do you find inspiration for your work? Street/club/web/ some blog. What is your maincharacteristic and your main fault? Obsessive.Obsessive.Your idea of happiness and your idea of misery? To goskiing in the mountains. Stupid people. What is your present state of mind? Travelling. What is your obsession? Musicand Mountain. If not yourself, who would you like to be? A Wolf. What do you love most in the world? Snow. Whatdo you love less in the world? Routine. STRIP for you is? A great Project ;-). We become what we see? Sometimes.

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photography Martina Spagnoli

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FRANCESCA BIAGINI164

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Tell me about you. Where do you find inspiration for your work? Women are my inspiration. I have to say that women mostly inspire me. What is your main characteristic and your main fault? My main characteristic is that I always smile. My main fault is that sometimes I have “crocodile tears”. Your idea of happiness and your idea of misery? My idea of happiness is smiling. My idea of misery if suffocating. What is your actual state of mind? My mind has chaos, instinct and heart. What is your obsession? I am obsessed with thoroughness. If not yourself, how would you lie to be? I would like to be Wonder Woman. What do you love most in the world? I love chocolate. What do you love less in the world? I hate the lack of sensibility. STRIP for you is? I guess taking off your clothes. e become what we see? Not always, sometime is inevitable.166

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Acne t-shirt customized by Francesco BarontiA VISUAL CONVERSATION WITH FRANCESCO BARONTI WE BECOME WHAT WE SEE | The Anthropology of Strip-Project168

169 Tell me about you. Where do you find inspiration for your work? I am the product of everything that surrounds me, my way and the plagues and the aromas of this world, therefore my work is what I hear around me…I’m Francesco Baronti , just a sponge!. What is your main characteristic and your main fault? Fantasy and anger, fantasy and what is worse when my ego paws.Your idea of happiness and your idea of misery? Happiness is the essence of life, progress, growth and feel that we are all in the world for something, the exact opposite his the misery surrounded by the absence of the philosophy of ‘enthusiasm ...What is you present state of mind? Quiet. What is your obsession? Making Art , an interesting life and not get bored. If not yourself, who would you like to be? Depends on what I have to do...What do you love most in the world? Live and create. STRIP for you is? It’s getting undressed. It’s where the heart finds it’s home and the art fells comfortable. We become what we see? Definitely!! We see, we assimilate, excrete and then emulate. In my work and in my world I am what I see with both eyes at the thought. photography Martina Spagnoli

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photography Martina Spagnoli

MAURIZIO DI IORIO MAGNUS GJOEN GIULIA CAIRAI'm an Italian photographer with a past as advertising copywriter. But since there's \"Magnus Gjoen was born in London to Norwegian parents and studied design in Giulia Caira was born in Cosenza on the 5th of October 1970. She works and livesno change without incongruity, for a few years I devoted myself to an entrepreneurial London and Milan and has worked as a designer/graphic designer for Vivienne in Turin.Her career started in 1994 with a photography research on the human bodyactivity. With photography, I've come back to my sources: creativity and commu- Westwood and Costume National amongst others. Gjoen brings a touch of punk- using an expressionist attitude, which is clearly visible in the first black and whitenication. Three years ago I founded a magazine of contemporary photography, sensibility to the art tradition. His fashion background infuses Magnus' art, re-thinking images and in the first project on coloured portraits. Her unique characteristic as anwhich I'm running together with a young colleague, that allows me to follow and old concepts and re-interpreting them for the contemporary climate. Working to shed artist was thanks to the use of colour, personal interpretation and her home as herinvestigate everything happening in the field. I don't like the kind of photography new light on past treasures, Magnus' prints alters the relationships between the viewer working place.By so she wanted to emphasise the concept of the family environment.that is expression of beauty for beauty's sake; the one that convinces me and that and the preconceived notions of objects; something which is ostensibly powerful and She often used the photography series, as a sequence scene, which are short storiesI'm passionate about deals in humour, emotion and surprise. I am more and more destructive is transfigured into beautiful and fragile objects of art, be it weapons, regarding cinema, daily news and nature topics. In 2002 the artist drawed herinterested in commercial photography, which in the last two years has gone through animals or the human race itself. Taking inspiration from the street and pop art and attention not only on the photography but also in the use of the video as a narrativea positive evolution of its own language. So the circle is going to close definitive- juxtaposing it with fine art, Magnus creates new and modern takes on old master- instrument. In 2004 she decided to leave her home and to concentrate of topicsly: soon I'll go back to the advertising worlds, only this time as a photographer. pieces, questioning the correlation between religion, war beauty, destruction and art. regarding the social positions of women in a patriarchal culture. Her works are part His art at once uplifting and damning; this is salvation for a godless generation.\" of public and private collections.STEFANIA PAPARELLI BERHARD HANDICK CLAUDIO CASSANOStefania Paparelli was born in Rome. After graduating high school and a long ex- Diplom Designer Bernhard Handick studied at Folkwang University of Arts. Exhibi- Claudio Cassano has created a personal visual language in a balance between theperience traveling and working through out Europe, first in the Uk and afterwards in tions in New York, London, Amsterdam, Korea, Germany, Swiss. His Works has been traditions of Renaissance and Neo Pop contemporary influences, developed over theFrance, she is now based in Sardinia, with her family, commuting between Sardinia published at Vogue Italia, Glamcult, The Fashionisto, GUP Magazine, Metal Maga- past ten years through the channels of art and media communications. Born in Naplesand Paris. She works worldwide for magazines such as Crash, Elle (France), Elle zine, C-Heads Magazine, Art Magazine, Juxtapoz, We Are Selecters, P Magazine, in 1974 and grew up in Turin and Paris, always moving between New York, London(Italy), Glamour (France), Glamour (Italy), Harper’s Bazaar (Russia), Jalouse, La Re- Washington Post.\"MYself understanding as an artist is not that I produce artwork and Tokyo, he has produced a huge universe of images using primarily painting, butpubblica delle Donne, Le Figaro (Japan), Le Nouvelle Observateur, L’Officiel and The which is completed after my process of creation. Rather, the spectator is the one who also working with photography, video and illustration. Graduate in Art History, hasSunday Times. In 2002, during the week of photography in paris. At the age of thirty, finishes the work in the particular way in which he interprets it – in this sense, he is the the characteristic to combine a large academic technique with a childlike spontaneityshe made her debut with her first exhibition \"Intimo\" edited by Flavio Nervegna. one to add the final brushstroke.\" in the sign, use of colors and in the representation of the subjects of his vast imagina-In 2005 she took part in the important milanese collective exhibition “Lo Sguardo tion. Strong neo-classical influences, rules of composition and theory of light goesItaliano. fotografie di moda dal 1951 ad oggi” edited by Francesco Bonami, Giusi together with a gesture of painting without limitations, creating dreamlike charactersFerré, Maria Luisa Frisa, Mario Lupano, Claudio Marra ed Anna Mattirolo at la that live in his personal limbo. The works of Cassano shows a figuration that bringsRotonda della Besana. In 2006 she took part in the collective “9x100: Nove Fotografi back important elements of the tradition of portrait painting and representation ofper Cento Fotografie” organized by Maria Evangelisti for the gallery Santa Cecilia reality, where the subjects are catched in their lives, seeing by surprise by the viewerduring the fifth edition of “Fotografia”. in a parallel universe. Often taking inspiration from his own photographs, but also from books, magazines or historical references, the original images are unconsciously modified by recreating everyday scenes of invented memories. In his oil paintings the pictorial strokes are fast and secure, as stains creating details that actually don't exist in the work, the colors joins together naturally with each other through elementary chromatism yet surprising and effective, and an educated sign yet uncontrollable shines even in the his drawings on paper. Majestic and sweet figures, but softly melancholic as the represented places, an existential detachment given through a new figurative dimension made from real elements but at the same time so distant from us. SONJA GUTSCHERA & LEIF HENRIK OSTHOFF FILEP MOTWARY LIONE BENSEMOUN The Berlin based photographer duo Sonja and Leif started their professional career Lionel Bensemoun, was born in Marseille (France). He made his first steps in communi- back in spring 2009, after moving from Cologne to Berlin. They became a couple Filep's career in fashion started back in early 2000, right after he finished his fashion cation and public relations as a graphic designer. His nightlife and passion for music in 2006 and wanted to separate strictly work and private matters. By that time, Leif studies and immediately worked as assistant stylist for the Greek edition of L'Officiel eventually led the sleepless youngster to mix work and pleasure. As an early producer worked as freelance photographer, dop and chief lighting technician, while Sonja magazine in Athens. He simultaneously launched his capsule collection Soit L'autre of successful parties and events (La Johnson, Lunafiac, Calvi On The Rocks Festival), was focussed on free art direction and always a bit of photography. Everything which was available in the legendary boutique Bettina, next to designers the likes of he’s always one step ahead on trends and artistic direction. Thanks to his feel busi- changed since they realized a free production together, because they just wanted Comme Des Garcons, Balenciaga, Sophia Kokosalaki. In late 2003 Filep moved to nesses and relationships, he created with his friend André two clubs (Le Baron and to know what it's like. \"It takes a while, building up a new business from nothing. Paris and worked for John Galliano, Dior Couture and Chloe during her final season Paris Paris) that not only entertain the whole city, but are also exported for contempo- Also, because we're not in our twens any more and left everything we've achieved for the House. In 2005, Filep returns to Greece and re-launches his collection in team rary art fairs (Frieze, Miami Beach Art Basel…) or film festivals (Cannes, Deauville…). so far, behind. ; ) But all the hard work and the sometimes challenging parts of living with jewellery designer Maria Mastori under the name Mastori*Motwary Studio. Multitasked in producing, he publishes the magazine “Antijour”, sets up a music and working together, start to flourish and we just really love and believe in what we They still work together only for special projects. My costumes have been presented label and an entertainment agency, and keeps on developing event-driven activities. do!\", Sonja admits. They describe their work as subtle, calm, yet strong and intense. in a variety of museums around the world: Hasselt Mode Museum.Belgium , Gaite- \"Storytelling and a really good idea matters the most to us. Due to our different Lyrique. Paris, Centraal Museum Utrecht, Hellenic Amercian Union. Athens, Musee MANUELA MARTELLI backgrounds, we're able to really pick the best bits and pieces from each other and Des Art Decocratifs.Paris, Michael Cacoyiannes Foundation.AthensCurrently Fashion Licensed architect, Bachelor of architecture and Master of Arch. at University of Flor- create something more than just a plain picture.\", Leif says. Features Editor for Dapper Dan MagazineCounting collaborations Another Magazine ence, qualified in Bioclimatic Architecture and new technologies at INARCH in Rome. Web. , UnderCurrent, POP, “A”Magazine Curated by.., Vogue Italia web, Vogue She attended courses in MODELING and processing digital images. She took part MANUEL FANZINE Paris web, The Stimuleye, Diane Pernet’s A shaded view on Fashion. Twice awarded in several national competitions in architecture. She is interested in graphics and My practice is born from an adoration of the stylistic device, verbal jousting, or words blogger since 2005, Dazed & Confused Raw blog awards(2009) and third prize at photography, design lover, and contemporary art lover in all its forms of expression, taken out of their context. I am torn between different relationships: architecture/writ- Golden Blog Awards in Paris (2010). Social Network Manager, journalist & photog- she’s an interior designer and a property renovator ing, common heritage/personal history, creating a work of writing that I re transcribe rapher for Hyeres Festival (12 & 2013)Photographer &Journalist for JOYCE Hong into installations or editions. The book, object that we cannot look at without touching, Kong since 2011 till this day. Winner of Jury Price for his film “NUPTIALIS: Is this real is generally at the center of my considerations. By means of Manuel, a collaborative life” along with Maria Mastori, directed by Suzie and Leo Siboni (2011) at ASVOFF. platform created by the Artist, we co-produces publications that are distributed all Illustrator for a number of publications including “VISUAL RESEARCH METHODS in over Europe during different participatory events (exhibition, workshop, residency FASHION” a book by JULIA GAIMSTER of the LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION. ...). In addition, in my plastic work, I elaborate solutions to travel across edition in Guest tutor for several fashion schools. One of ten selected guests for table debate order to develop new formats for the Artist’s book, by constructing a favoured exhibit discussion at POLIMODA, June 2012. Head of Q&A project in collaboration with framework imagining new specific ways of occupying the space/ layout for the Linda Loppa /Polimoda for a series of interviews featuring Rick Owens, Tim Blanks, works. Playing with the scale to integrate the rooms in the in-situ via sculpting and Humberto Leon of Kenzo, Bruce Pask, Christian Lacroix, Danilo Venturi, Diane Pernet, decor. With one look at my practice, one can read my will to translate, to reinterpret Etienne Russo, Robin Schulie... (January 2013). Jury member for the Bachelor and the words and the space, may it be that of the work or of the viewer, willing to focus PhD graduates in LA CAMBRE, June 2012 & 2013. Jury of Pre-Selection Hyeres Fes- the glance towards poetic nonsense. tival 2013. Freelance photographer for Vogue.Fr. On June 24th until July 4th 2013, Filep collaborates with Vogue.Fr for a series of photographs featuring Milan and Paris172 SS14 menswear and Couture. Along with Maria Mastori, participants with a costume of his own design and jewellery by Maria at Atopos Monsters in Fashion Exhibition, Gaite Lyrique Paris. February 2013. Included in \"STYLEFEED: THE WORLD'S TOP FASHION BLOGS\" by Susie Bubble and William Oliver (Prestel 2012).

SILVA + CEMIN BOUKE DE VRIES GUILLERMO TURELL YARURSilva+Cemin is Guilherme Silva, 22, and Rodolfo Cemin, 21. Silva studied Art and Born in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Bouke de Vries studied at the Design Acad- Guillermo Turell Yarur is an illustrator who is also interested in acting and singing.now he’s attending the Fashion course. Cemin is a Social Comunication - Advertising emy Eindhoven, and Central St Martin’s, London. After working with John Gal- Originally from Spain he moved to London to study at Central Saint Martins Collegestudent. Silva and Cemin are a couple who started to photograph since they have liano, Stephen Jones and Zandra Rhodes, he switched careers and studied of Art and Design, where he obtained his Foundation Diploma in Art and Design andmet in 2011. The duo’s work has been shared in Art and  Fashion magazines and ceramics conservation and restoration at West Dean College. Every day in his graduated from BA Graphic Design. His work reflects his interest in Fashion, religiouswebsites around the globe. The bright of their work come from the powerful love they practice as a private conservator he was faced with issues and contradictions imagery and landscapes. He also enjoys exploring the idea of androgyny. The mixingput in every piece they create together. around perfection and worth and used this as the starting point for his works. of Masculine and Feminine characteristics interest him as well as the idea of finding a Using his skills as a restorer , his artworks reclaim broken pots after their ac- mentality “between” woman and man, or of an entirely genderless mentality. cidental trauma. He has called it ‘the beauty of destruction’. Instead of recon- structing them, he deconstructs them. Instead of hiding the evidence of this most dramatic episode in the life of a ceramic object, he emphasises their new status, instilling new virtues, new values, and moving their stories forward.ALESSANDRO CASAGRANDE NEWSHINE FABIO COSTI’Alessandro Casagrande is a passionate young photographer, born in Caracas Ven- Chloe Newman and Rebecca Scheinberg form the London based photographic duo Fabio Costì is an Italian photographer, sculptor, and illustrator born in Naples, Italy.ezuela and grew up in Italy. He was based in Milan in the start, studying and taking Newshine. Their work explores the notions of artificial and ambiguous experience. He studied at the Fine Arts Academy of Naples and graduated with a thesis aboutbachelor’s degree in photography and at the same time working as an assistant Chloe and Rebecca met when beginning a BA Photography degree at London Col- photography in motion. He then moved to Milan to pursue his career in photography.photographer in studio. It all started more or less in the way these things generally lege of Communication in 2011 and began collaborating together in April 2013. His photographic language found a good deal of success within the fashion industry.start. After working in the studio, this opportunity gave him a chance to get the right Newshine's work has been featured online on Self Publish Be Happy, Contributor Throughout his career he held numerous solo and group shows.contacts to work in fashion . In this period of time he had the chance to assist for Magazine and Disturber Magazine. Their work Black Tropicana has been featureddifferent magazines and lookbooks for clients such as Marc Jacobs and Dsquared. in the exhibition A Tribute Act, and SPBH 89+ Marathon at the Serpentine GalleryAfter these experiences, he understood that the best choice for him would be to try London.and work on his own, and that’s how he started as a freelancer. His first works inMilan were for Philipp Plein and he received as soon requests overseas. Last yearAlessandro was based between Los Angeles and London. Now after a while, hecame back to Milan for the past months and is preparing to move to New York wherehe will be based from 2014.ERIC JOHNSON WRITE AND ROLL SOCIETY TROIA ZINE This is the Write and Roll Society, the last drop of lucidity before the big black hole. I/TA (team) I: artist, musician, t-shirt designer (works for the most important andEric Johnson is an award-winning photographer whose archive reveals an extensive It was born on the 5th of February 2014, a hundred years after the birth of William famous italian/ european stores) Vison/Director at the STUDIOTACCO (Milan)collection of iconic shots of a diverse and sophisticated array of subjects – from Seward Burroughs. Dedicated to the bad form of writing. TA:singer, musical (en manque d’are - AFA - Ajello) producer, writer, dj, majoredMuhammad Ali, Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, Cindy Sherman, Spalding Gray, and at DAMS (Bologna, Italy).Jeremy Blake, to Erykah Badu, Gus Van Sant, Peter Max, Al Green, and Bruno Mars. WONDERFUR LUKAHis work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Luca Frati, aka Wonderfur, has spent the last 10 years building his musical roots FRANCESCA BIAGINITimes, W Magazine, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Dazed and Confused, The Face, through the foundations of himself, the artistic environment of Florence, its heritage, Majored a the “Scuola Politecnica of Design” in Milan. She concentrates of graphicThe Fader, Flaunt, Vibe, and Complex, and on many album covers, includ- and the European culture. Expert dentist in daytime, Luca’s passion for photography, and visual communication. She also works with photography thanks to Chico De Luigiing The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, De La Soul’s Stakes Is High, and Max- architecture, conceptual style and design, trends and cinema made its fast mark on and has her own daily blog: borderonline.tumblr.com This blog combines graphicwell’s Now, Urban Hang Suite, and BLACKsummers’night, among others. his musical ear. Different genres (from Nu Disco to Electro, New Wave, Rock and with photography creating new projects.Eric was commissioned by MTV in 2001 to create his first book, which he ti- House music, with a hint of Pop too), with an eclectic and creative style which re-tled “Common,” published for that year’s Video Music Awards. His first solo fuses the strict dogmas of technique, lead him to constantly look for new sounds.show was in 2004 at Buia Gallery in New York City. His photographs have Co-organizer and artistic director of many prominent club nights in Florence (suchsince been featured in numerous photo books and art/photo exhibitions. as Colle Bereto, Angels and Doris), resident dj at the two most famous venues ofEric was awarded his first Communication Arts Photography Annual Florence (Babylon Club and Krisko Club), Luca has periodically worked for PinkoAward of Excellence in 1998, and the honors he has received since in- (Fashion Brand) realizing mix-tapes, music and videos. He has been often called toclude, most recently, Creativity International Awards for his photos of play at the widely famous event “Pink is Punk” in Milan. He played as a supporterLady Gaga and Lil Wayne for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. for relevant artists such as Digitalism, Justice, The Presets, Devendra Banharts, Ajello,HEADS, Eric’s current large-scale series of portraiture and candid work, documents In Flagranti, Severino (Horse Meat Disco), Crystal Fighters and Azari & III, Murphythe people who pass through his Midtown Manhattan loft that is at once a photo Jax, Kim Ann Foxma, Sei A.studio, gallery, disco, lounge, and home. The space, Upstairs at Eric’s, is reminis-cent of old-school New York; it is a place where ideas, creativity, and energiescombine to create something fresh. Upstairs at Eric’s has become synonymous witha lifestyle and aesthetic that has attracted high-profile clientele including Barney’sNew York and MTV to hire Eric for campaigns inspired by him and the space itself.PLUGGER FRANCESCO BARONTIAnother new band. Or maybe a slightly diffferent project.We do PLUGS. Not re- Francesco Baronti was born il Leghorn in 1973 to an italian father and a Puerto Ricanmixes, not mash-ups, not covers. We do original tracks written and produced using mother. During his childhood he lived in Somalia with the family. This experience foronly fragments of a musical legend's discography. Find out more about what is a him was a strong and important formative journey. He has partecipated in exhibi-PLUG and who are pluggers at www.plugger.dj or read the book \"Music is Over\" tions and national and international competitions, in galleries in Puerto Rico, Rome,by Lorange Sadbaars. Florence, Pietrasanta, Verona, Capalbio, Nairobi and Malindi and at 54° Biennale di Venezia.He was invited to the 2°, 3° and $° editions of the Biennali di Malindi. “Art in Italy” has dedicated its magazine cover to him. Francesco lives between Italy, Africa and Puerto Rico. 173

photography Martina Spagnoli



Strip-Project wants to propose a different way to reconsider each thing through the direct andspontaneous expression of the artists that were invitate to cooperate, write, photograph and parte-cipate with their artworks. It’s a visual/textual space where find the desire to change and es-cape. Is a great caotic container of ideas, images, inspirations, feelings and all you need toknow. This is Strip-Book, an indipendent publication printed in limited edition of 100 copies.Strip-Book #1, No part of this pubblication may be used or repro-We become what we see issue duced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.Publications, © 2014 Strip-Project.comDesigned by Strip-Project.com. All reasonable efforts have been made to identify and contact copyright holder’s, but in some caseswww.strip-project.com these could not be traced.EDITORS-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTORS: CONTRIBUTORS: CONTACT:anna ka Francesca Biagini [email protected] Spagnoli Manuela Martelli [email protected] Matteo RazzagutaWEB DESIGNER: PRESS:Antonino Giacalone Cecilia Esposito SPECIAL THANKS MUST GO TO: Alex Braga | Alessandro Lupi | Antonella Moccia | Azzurra Biagi | Bev Luckings | CARico MAssimo | Carlo D’Amico | Emiliano Casarosa | Francesca Bagnoli | Giovanni Giusti | Jacopo Benassi | Jaehee Park & Gael | Jeffrey Gaunt | Rossana Pesucci & Paul Bobko | Tommaso Vaiani | Villa Lena......our talented contributors and pretty much everyone we know who has helped us shape the copy you hold in your hands right now.176