From the series "Bike Kill".
The Black Label Bike Club is the first "outlaw bicycle club". It was created in 1992 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are one of the main contributors to the rise of tall bike culture and organize jousting competitions regularly. It is interesting to see this rebel culture revolving around such a non-threatening object: the bicycle.
In a society that pushes us to consume, focus on money and overly use technology, this group of young people is resisting and fighting against it. Their community is mainly based on the bike culture, ecology, art and on the real value of relationships.
With a recession underway and social pressure mounting, how does the young generation respond to it? Although they seem to be the carefree, self-destroying youth, they are quite aware of the situation today. As everyone, they love, hate, and also have their fears and concerns. The trend is rather discouraging today for the youth, and I want to show that there are alternate ways to the norm, by creating rich inspiring environments, with art, music, and passions. I keep having this thought that creative minds used to gather regularly, share their art and ideas, inspire each other and feed each other; yet today, the youth seem uninspired and disengaged. When I find subcultures like the Black Label Bike Club, a creative group, using very little technology, interested in defending causes and resisting the main stream, I think it could be very encouraging and motivating for today's youth.
"It was better ten years ago"?? is what we, young people, hear constantly. But it only depends on us, on what we are going to make of the future.
I was born and raised in Paris, France. After graduating in graphic design, I moved to New York City to pursue my passion and study documentary photography at the International Center of photography. After ICP, I have been assisting photographers Donna Ferrato and Jonathan Torgovnik, and I interned as a photographer for The New York Times for 6 months.
I am often attracted by what repulses or scares others. I like misfits, outcasts, eccentrics, those who do not fit in the norms. Although I look quite normal and common, I identify in a way with those who do not fit in society. I am attracted by the abnormal, nonetheless I try not to be stereotypical when representing them. I want to be as true as possible to what they are. For that reason, I have been documenting a number of subcultures.
I am currently living in New York City, working on the project as well as freelancing for clients such as The New York Times.
AWARDS/EXHIBITIONS-
Getty Images Editorial Grant 2010;
Lucie Scholarship 2010;
PDN Photo Annual winner;
Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism - Hannover, Germany;
Gallery I/D, Miami - RISE: New Works by New Artists;
Powerhouse Arena - Humankind;
Project Basho, Philadelphia - ONWARD 11.
Awards * PX3 2011 - Silver Winner - Other Category
AWARDS / EXHIBITIONS
- American Photography 30
- 72 Gallery, group show, Tokyo, Japan, 2013
- Tokyo International Photography Festival competion – Jury’s choice, 2013
- MOPLA- showcased by Lucie Foundation at Photo LA, Santa Monica, 2013
- Bourse du Talent exhibition at BNF (French National Library), Paris 2012
- Award from Vienna International Photography Award 2012
- Les Rencontres d’Arles 2012 – show at La Nuit de l’Année
- Bourse du Talent Reportage 2012 – Honorable Mention
- Residency at Tokyo Wondersite, Tokyo Japan, 2012
- ADC (Art Directors’ Club) Young Guns 9 winner
- Fotoweek DC - Honorable Mention 2011
- American Photography 27
- POYi – Award of Excellence – Feature Picture Story (2011)
- Project Basho, Philadelphia - ONWARD ‘11 exhibition 2011
- PowerHouse Arena - HumanKind exhibition (NY Photo Festival)
- Lucie Scholarship Emerging Grant 2010
- Getty Images Grant for Editorial Photography 2010
- International Photography Award Honorable Mention 2010
- PDN Photo Annual 2010 Winner
- CMYK Magazine #47 - Top 100 New Creatives
- Soho Gallery for Digital Arts - Lucie Foundation Scholarship Winners’ exhibition 2010
- Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism, Hannover, Germany 2010
- Gallery I/D, Miami - RISE: New Works by New Artists 2010
- Silent Auction Benefit, Brooklyn - “ Bizarre! Weird Bikes! Weird Art!” 2010
