PLASTIK 23

I still remember that night in april 2009 like it was yesterday. It was 2am, I was back at my old place in Gemmayze with two of my best friends at the time to celebrate the launching party of Plastik. As they recalled earlier parts of the evening, I was mainly feeling happy to have started something I was passionate about. So passionate in fact, that I had spent my 22nd birthday on indesign. A year later, Plastik came to life; I was 23 and that first issue was the end of my life as a young boy. From collecting magazine cut outs as a child and wondering about being part of that world, to thinking local magazines can be done differently, to actually doing it. It wasn't planned, but it happened, and kept on happening... It was the first edition of plastik when candy* joined this journey. Five years on, through the ups and downs of the industry and regional upheavals, we both remained loyal to our love for Plastik. It is that common dedication, and the support of an efficient team, that kept fueling our vision. In 2012, plastik went global, reaching audiences all around the world. But I hope our biggest achievement was inspiring the younger generation and helping create a ripple effect in the local scene, proving that creatively satisfying. careers can be home grown.

ROBERT ADAMS

Feature

THEYSHARETHESAMESURNAME,YETASPHOTOGRAPHERSANSELANDROBERTADAMSCOULDNOTBEFURTHER APART. ANSEL ADAMS BECAME FAMOUS WITH HIS MAJESTIC, AWE-INSPIRING IMAGES OF AMERICAN NATURE. ROBERT ADAMS ON THE OTHER HAND WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE POCKETS OF BEAUTY THAT REMAINED IN NATURE RESERVES. HE FOCUSED ON THE “NEW WEST,” THE MANMADE LANDSCAPE THAT REVEALED ITSELF IN THE STRAIGHT LINES AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS OF GARAGES, GAS STATIONS, TRAILER HOMES AND OIL WELLS.

VIVIAN MAIER

Feature

UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF VIVIAN MAIER. WELL, NO ONE EXCEPT THE FEW FAMILIES SHE HAD WORKED FOR AS A NANNY. BUT EVEN THEY DID NOT HAVE A CLUE THAT MAIER WAS ALSO A QUITE BRILLIANT PHOTOGRAPHER. THAT ONLY CHANGED IN 2007 WHEN JOHN MALOOF BOUGHT AT AN AUCTION A BOX WITH SOME 40,000 OF HER NEGATIVES FOR LESS THAN $400.

DANIEL GORDON

Feature

The Amsterdam photography museum (foam) in march selected Daniel Gordon as the winner of the 8th paul huf award, which is handed out annually to an exceptional young photographer under 35 years old. The award comes with €20,000 in prize money and a solo exhibition at the museum later this year.
 

SAINT HOAX

Interview

In the past few months, the social media platform has been buzzing with images of political leaders dressed-up as flamboyant drag queens. The visual artist behind the controversy remains anonymous, conducting worldwide interviews under the pseudonym Saint Hoax. Plastik interviewed him to get a deeper understanding of his pop-political message and discuss his latest projects.