Icon (from Ancient Greek εἰκών (eikṓn) 'image, resemblance'): a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration.
Icons of saints and angels made according to tradition are painted on wood with egg tempera.
The legitimacy of their subjects has been recognized either by official ecclesiastical declaration, as in Catholic faith, or by popular acclamation.
They play a function of intercedent between the believers and the divine.
The ever expanding series All Saints showcases portraits shot and edited on Iphone, some elements in them were implemented thanks to AI.
Those digitally generated icons stand for the rich diversity of Amsterdam’s inhabitants. They celebrate the plurality of their distinctive identities.
The pictures don’t play a role of intermediate with the divine, but between humans and their respective communities.
Most of the models were met randomly on the street or during social events. Some people immediately inspired me because of their style and appearance. For some others, who I already knew or not, the personal and artistic achievements were a source of inspiration.
The contemporary icons of the series, ultimately, both reflect and participate to a descontruction of our societal and cultural archetypes.
The series is not meant to be irreverent towards religious faith.
ⓒ The peoplezlens
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Westside: open air exhibition in
Amsterdam Oud-west
2022
Westside is a local project expressing my curiosity for the people who surround me, and my urge to make them visible in their beauty and diversity.
17 of my portraits are hanging on the fence at the corner of the JP Heijestraat and Borgerstraat in Amsterdam.
Some people on the pictures are friends and neighbors, some others I got intrigued by while wandering in my vicinity and wanted to get to know.
My photo project gave me a good opportunity to approach them. Some of them became new friends in the process.
I believe that beyond appearances and beliefs, there are new communities to be born, based on common goals, values, and
CREATIVITY.
Photography is my medium, what's yours?
I want the project to turn into multidisciplinary collaborations in the future.
I naturally explore the opportunities with the people in my direct neighborhood.
Let’s create together !
Open air exhibition at the corneer of the JP Heijestraat and Borgerstraat in Amsterdam.
Graffiti art by Jimmy Miller.
Holy hood! : open air exhibition in Amsterdam Oud-west.
2023
The Holy Hood! open air exhibition showcases a series of portraits by photographer The peoplezlens and photographs featuring contemporary dance by choreographer Svetlin Travis in collaboration with photographer Mark Forbes.
The peoplezlens and Svetlin Travis live and work in Amsterdam Oud-west.
The expo celebrates street art and urban culture in diverse forms and encourages the viewers to explore the potential of yet non-institutionalized city spaces for artistic expression and creativity.
The artist’s personal initiative challenges the usual commercial exploitation of the street
walls by the corporate advertisement industry.