KitKat, Sexism and the Indecent

Sarah Julia Sabukoschek is a very talented, young and diverse artist. She was born in Graz, Austria and now lives and works in Berlin.

Sarah, how do you like the city? What is special about Berlin and what repulses you?

The decision to move to Berlin was one of the most significant and best decisions of my life. I love the open-mindedness of Berlin. I love the eccentricity, the individuality of the people. They are what makes Berlin so special and beautiful. I was not only attracted by the huge creative scene but by the free and alternative ways of living. To me, Berlin feels like a huge canvas that is being painted by everyone. I don’t really find anything repulsive here, just incredibly sad and real how many people live on the streets.

What are you looking for in Berlin?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I am looking for something specific here. It just feels right to be here at the moment. I am inspired by so many different things each and every day and I like to be surrounded by open-minded creative people. I am currently in a very productive creative phase which I want to act out and share it with more people.

Your presence on social media is brimming with feminist statements. Chapeau for your courage to get to the head of that much at such a young age! What is wrong in our society in your opinion? How do you see the role of woman today? What still needs to be changed urgently?

That is the overall thread running through a lot of my work. As a woman, I am permanently affected by everyday sexism. Oppression and violence against womxn is still a huge issue in our society. Cases where men killed their partners or ex partners are called a “relationship drama” and are completely normalized and played down by the media. I don’t know a single womxn who has never been a victim of sexual or domestic violence and sexism. The different way we treat men and womxn has devastating consequences for womxn and we must change that. I will not be silent about that, ever.

The young girl paints a naked woman with her legs spread wide open. Thereby I create the confrontation with female sexuality and everything one associates with it- privately and socially. Of course that will be perceived as provocative. But then one starts to grapple with the topic and why it actually provokes, at best one starts to question the social role of womxn. A womxn who stands by her sexuality or her sexual activeness is directly branded as dubious, incompetent and a bad role model. The fact that many people still consider female sexuality to be shameful, indecent or even gross is a problem I urgently want to draw attention to through my art.

Tell us about your collaboration with KitKat Club Berlin?

I coincidentally got to know the organizer of one of the most successful and well-known fetish parties in Berlin’s KitKat Club. He liked my art and supported me. Until recently, a film inspired by this special party was shown there every wednesday. The film was a great project, i got to work with a lot of interesting and lovely people. That definitely also broadened my horizons.

Your relationship to fetish… doesn’t one have to be a little fetishistic today to be heard, to be “cool”?

I would describe myself as fetish-positive. In my opinion every fetish should be socially accepted and not be judged no matter what, as long as everything is consensual and not harming someone. That is also my message, it doesn’t matter how and with weather you’re sexually active or not, if you have any fetishes or not. Especially as a woman it is important to know that your sexuality is in no way related to your worth, your career or whatever. So no, I don’t think one has to be fetishistic in order to be heard.

Does one have to be loud in order to self-reflect nowadays?

I think it doesn’t matter in which way you reflect on the world and yourself. First and foremost it is important to do it on a regular base. But if you really want to change something, you should also be loud in some way, spreading the message and waking up the people.

You share pretty frivolous things on Instagram. Not to sound prudish, but what do your parents say?

Nowadays it is in fact considered frivolous if someone is revealing or showing their naked body. On the one hand because nudity is generally considered indecent and on the other hand because women are permanently objectified and sexualized against their will. In order to break out of this image of hyper-sexualized women, it takes women who recapture it. Women who fight for their own self-determination and the self-determination of others despite the many headwinds. I tried to explain that to my parents in the same way and I think they understand. In any case, they always support me in living my dream.

What is your vision for contemporary art?

I would like to see more contemporary art in everyday life. Art that is more approachable, art that is prfound, art that is alive and above all art that is accessible and not like a cut-off world in itself. I would also like the represented contemporary art to become a lot more diverse. That more and more young artists, female and queer artists get the space and attention they deserve.

Do you have a fable for the disreputable, the edge of society?

Absolutely. This is where most of the issues are rooted and also most of the solutions. Because nobody wants to be confronted with that, it is pushed to the edge of society. Nevertheless, these are issues that affect all of us directly or indirectly and in my opinion these are the greatest opportunities to grow. When something like this becomes visible through my art it is questionable for some, but it’s effective.

Don’t you see the unwritten Insta conventions / stereotypes with regard to the female body a little critical? What do you do to break them?

I see the way of how women are portrayed on social media and the media in general is definitely as problematic in several ways. As a woman it is about being as desirable and beautiful as possible. That doesn’t only support and preach sexist role models but also causes masses of unsettled women and girls. On the other hand we have things like the body-positivity movement which have a very positive approach. Many women these days market themselves through social media. Whether they do that in a more or less conventional way should be left to each woman to decide. Nevertheless the influence we can have one others, especially young adults and children should still be considered. I’m trying to educate people by showing my armpit hair for example. That may seem silly at first but my armpit hair symolizes that it’s okay to not fit any ideals of beauty or follow every trend and that you can always consider yourself as beautiful no matter how you look. We shoudn’t let the fake industry and advertisements influence us too much and carefully choose who we follow on social media.

What is your vision for contemporary art?

I would like to see more contemporary art in everyday life. Art that is more approachable, art that is prfound, art that is alive and above all art that is accessible and not like a cut-off world in itself. I would also like the represented contemporary art to become a lot more diverse. That more and more young artists, female and queer artists get the space and attention they deserve.

How do you combine art and fashion in your work?

My individual design of the bomber jacket from your collection #iwearmyself with you, Paulina, is the first project where I combined my art and fashion directly. There is definitely more to come in that area in the future. I already have some ideas for some wearable art pieces.

What is your relationship to the LGBTQ-Community?

As a white cis woman in Germany, I am very aware of my privileges and I think we should all use them to support the minorities and help them to fight for their rights. Those who are discriminated against and who are confronted with social intoleration on a daily base.

What visions do you have professionally and privately?

I feel like my private and professional life are always kind fo mixed, but I definitely want to do more public art projects in the future. Reach more and more people through my art and create art in everyday life. I want to improve and expand my techniques and implement an infinite amount of ideas and concepts I have in mind. My paintings will become bigger in the future and of course I want a growing audience for my art. In my private life I would like to develop myself further and actually become more active politically.

What is your relationship to the LGBTQ-Community? As a white cis woman in Germany, I am very aware of my privileges and I think we should all use them to support the minorities and help them to fight for their rights. Those who are discriminated against and who are confronted with social intoleration on a daily base. What visions do you have professionally and privately? I feel like my private and professional life are always kind fo mixed, but I definitely want to do more public art projects in the future. Reach more and more people through my art and create art in everyday life. I want to improve and expand my techniques and implement an infinite amount of ideas and concepts I have in mind. My paintings will become bigger in the future and of course I want a growing audience for my art. In my private life I would like to develop myself further and actually become more active politically.

Instagram-Post by @paulinasfriendsfashion with Sarah Julia Sabukoschek

Dear Sarah, thank you so much for this lovely interview!

DIVERSITY FASHION WEEK, Amsterdam, November 2020

PAULINA’S FRIENDS is proud to be part of this year’s Diversity Fashion Week in Amsterdam. Such a honour! We are delighted to get an interview with one of the founders of Diversity Fashion Week and Diversity Model Agency, Daisy van der Veen.

How was the idea of DFW born ?

Diversity Fashion Week is a foundation founded in 2018 by international model Sensemielja Letitia Sumter. The idea came alive and here is where Sensemielja could express her creativy at her best. It always was her longtime dream to create a fashion show where everybody could be who they want to be. With various themes, attributes and a real message the show is not like any other shows. The foundation creates a platform for (young) talents, designers and models who are not your typical models. We find it important that everybody feels represented especially in the media industry and in our current fashion world. It is no lie that there is a lack of diversity and unity in this business and there are so many talented people out there that deserve a platform to be known, seen and recognized. Annually we organize various events with the main focus to show all kinds of diversity with specialized themes. Our inspiration comes from various Disney movies and they love to play with all kinds of elements.

Tell me more about your participants?

This edition was inspired by the movie Alice through the looking glass and was a sneak peek of our Winter Wonder Land edition for next year. 15 designers national and international have showcased their designs during the show. Some designs were specially made for our theme. One of the designers Stephastique states “Alice is the ultimate muse. She is not afraid to look at her reflection in the mirror and be herself. She struggles for the one she loves. That is why the collection is inspired by the movie “Alice Through the Looking Glass”. The collection is characterized by expressive prints, colors, manipulation of fabrics and recycling. The combination of colors and special materials resulted in expressive outfits that could have been worn by the eccentric characters from the film. The collection is about being able to look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of who you see. But it is also intended to hold up a mirror to the viewer about the consumer society in which we live in”. In addition designer Steven Blanco known for his hand-painted artworks on clothing to produce unique and timeless items with emotional depth has made a timeless collection based on “Alice through the looking glass”movie. We are happy to still pull this off and are excited to show you the results. Diversity and inclusion matters and we are happy that the designers took part in our extraordinary show and worked with our diversity models! No matter your size, skincolor, religion or if you have a disability. You are beautiful ❤️. Our mission is to show the world that beauty is not set in one standard but radiates through embracing our different features. Full show can be seen on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fwvJnLQh7I. Designers: Mystic Fantasy Creations, Zalure, DUC, Natureza Brasileira by Josh, NBO designs, ANNIGJE, MI&ANN, PAULINA’S FRIENDS, Steven Blanco, Urbanella, MarosEtti bags, Stephastique, Designhoeden Myra, Khadija Faraj, Udoka Eijofor’

And about your Diversity Model Agency?

Diversity Model Agency was founded in 2018 by Sensemielja Letitia Sumter, Marcel Schwab and Daisy van der Veen. The industry can be very hard therefore we first started another foundation however the partnership did not worked out. All the models that trained very hard for the show got cancelled and were not allowed to walk the show. Therefore the models needed a safety net and guidance. Hereby DMA was born. During Sensemieljas modelling career she has seen a lot of places but also saw the lack of diversity in this business and that is also one of the reasons why the 2 companies were founded. Marcel is a well known high fashion photographer and Daisy van der Veen makes sure that everything is in check in regards to administration and public relations. The agency offers a platform for everybody with unique features, shades, shapes and models with a disability. We find it important that everybody feels represented. It is no secret that campaigns, commercials, movies or runway shows lacks a inclusive representation. Slowly there is change but we are not there yet. By providing the importancy of our mission we believe that the impact will be on the wider society in terms of changing attitudes and developing peoples understanding of people with a disability or differences. Besides offering a wide selection of models we also host various workshops and trainings that improves their models with confidence and skills getting them ready for various job offers. The workshops vary from catwalkclasses, posing workshops and many more. The workshops are provided by Sensemielja Letitia Sumter.

What is the goal, unique selling point and the vision of DFW?

Our goal is to become the most inclusive runway in the world by showing unique and talented designers and models. Our unique selling point is that we are here to inspire not only brands but also other companies related to media regarding the importancy of diversity and inclusion in this industry. Making their brand also accessible for others strives to have a huge impact on consumers and other business related opportunities. Make your brand stand out that you are open for inclusion,diversity and equality. Our vision in this plays a big part as all our previous shows also include different themes which also challenges designers to see things from a other perspective. Therefore we are all in this together and we are here to provide a unique platform for not only models but also for (upcoming) brands and designers.

What should be the future of contemporary fashion?

The future would be having clothes for all kinds of sizes and models. Another great example is Tommy Hilfiger whom has a seperate brand called Zappos Adaptive which they have unique and especially made clothing for models with a disability. There are all kinds of consumers in the world and we are not all a ‘ size small ‘ therefore we hope to inspire to make sustainable clothing for everybody and reduce fast fashion.

Your definition for

– Sustainability?

In addition we aim to highlight designers who use a sustainable way of taking into environmental aspects, but also to encourage consumers to consume more “fairly”. Whether we call it fair clothing or sustainable clothing, attention is paid to the garment anyway. The designer and manufacturer have thought about the impact on the environment and labor. This often means that garments are of better quality and minimizes characteristic of the fast fashion industry.

– Slow/ethical fashion?

Slow fashion is conscious and mindful and therefore considers more as timeless then trendy. We also think that slow fashion is about quality instead of quantity. The garmens can last longer or even a lifetime!

– Authenticity?

You buy a handmade piece from a designer which often is made only 1 time and therefore makes you stand out! In addition you will not walk with clothing that are most likely produced all over the world with possible horrible conditions in the manufacturys but you also support the smaller businesses especially during the pandemic we are in right now.

– Alterity?

Customized and unique!

Your style icon(s)? Why…?

We have a few but Lady Gaga always comes up with something which you can either hate or love! It is her own style and is bold enough to show it to the world. Sensemielja’s role model is Naomi Campbell. She became a cult figure of the 1990s with her feline gaze, dynamic personality and biting comebacks as has dominated the fashion scene ever since.

Photographer Marcel Schwab
Diversity Fashion Week After shots 2020
Styling and Make up by modelsensi, Sensemielja Letitia Sumter
Model Joke for dma_models

WEARABLE COUTURE ARTFASHION & TEXTILE DESIGN BRAND FROM BERLIN. FOUNDED 2018 BY ENTREPRENEUR, ART HISTORIAN, AUTHOR AND STYLE INNOVATOR PAULINA TSVETANOVA. HER CHILDHOOD DREAM OF BEING A COUTURIER CAME TRUE. ONE OF A KIND STATEMENT CREATIONS, EMBODYING AN UNIQUE EMOTIONAL STORY. UNISIZE. UNISEX. UNISEASON. UNIQUE. AGELESS. WEARABLE ART. FLAMBOYANT MIX OF PATTERNS, COLOURS, EVOLVING SHAPES & TEXTURES. EXUBERANT REMISING OF CULTURES. POWERED BY SERENDIPITY. BASED ON HANDPAINTED ABSTRACT VIBRANT STATEMENT PATTERNS. RARE HIGH QUALITY NATURAL ECO FRIENDLY FABRICS. DIGITALLY PRINTED. SLOW & FAIR FASHION. HANDMADE IN SMALL WORKSHOPS IN EUROPE. SUSTAINABILITY. AWARENESS FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP, ARTISAN & WORLD CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS. SYNERGY OF TRADITIONS & HIGHTECH. INDIVIDUALITY. EXTRAVAGANCE. BRAVERY. MAXIMALISM. ANARCHY. UNCONVENTIONAL STYLISTIC EXPERIMENTS. BEYOND BORDERS. MULTICULTURAL. ETHNO. AVANTGARDE. DISTINCTIVE. INVENTIVE. ECLECTICISM. PATCHWORK. MIXANDMATCH. PERSONALISED. CUSTOMIZED. TAILOR MADE. EACH HUMAN BEING IS UNIQUE. EACH ITEM IS A PIECE OF ART, LIKE EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS A PERSONAL DISTINCTIVE STORY.

Please download PAULINA’S FRIENDS FASHION SUSTAINABILITY FACTSHEET

Please download PAULINA’S FRIENDS FASHION LOOKBOOK

Fotos: Kathrin Höhne

MONSTER Exhibition is the 6th edition since its first exhibition in 2013. This open call exhibition is known for the showcase of “KAIJU (MONSTER)” arts. Artists have been selected to show their art work at 8/COURT (Shibuya, Tokyo). The “KAIJU(MONSTER)” theme will incorporate the metaphor of The Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Some artists expressed their feelings through this disaster. However, the artists are free to interpret the metaphor. We can see not only the expression of disaster but also expressions of humanity, politics and self-expression. It mirrors what happened through the filter of “KAIJU(MONSTER)”. We opened MONSTER exhibition to different mediums such as paintings, sculptures, architecture, design, movies and graphic.

MONSTER Exhibition Web http://monsterex.info/

MONSTER Exhibition Instagram @monsterexhibition

Contact: info@monsterex.info

Openning Party : 14th March 2019, 19 – 21h

Exhibition period: 14-26.03. Open: 12 – 19h Closed Sunday

Venue:
Concept Gallery
PAULINA’ S FRIENDS ZUFALLSLADEN,
Gartenstr. 114
10115 Berlin-Mitte
https://www.paulinasfriends.com/ 

Artists: 
Yoshiaki Komatsu, kyo->ko, Ryosuke Kawahira, Akatin, irikichi., Nobuo Kumagai, Akira Iwata, Yuki Kubo, Ayano Yoshida, Tetsuro Tomonari, Oniichi, Naoya Doi, Shunsuke Ochi, Daiki Fujimori, Akaike Ryoto, eyefrenchfries

Personalized wearable fashion

Your artwork is a one-of-a-kind piece. Just like you – every human being is unique. Your style is more than what you’re wearing – it’s your unmistakable story.

This garment that shows your face, as well. The motifs are a part of yourself, a mirror of your memories, convictions, rituals, feelings, transitions, detours. They stand for that, what was, is or will be important to you. An essential yearning, an unlived dream, a crazy wish, a brave vision or whatever. A certain something important to you. Something that reminds you of what is important to you in your life. 
YOU  and your personality. Like a body tattoo, your second skin. 

Because, you & your authentic personality is your brand. It’s your sales recipe for success. You are the ambassador of your concepts. Your personality must be lived, experienced, implemented, staged, embodied. Living your identity makes you strong and attractive. And self-staging is so fantastic!

The fabrics of these customized & personalized garments are tailor-made in digital print by our creative agency. They put your art into the spotlight. On request, we can design a unique garment (for instance a bomber jacket) with your art also for your customers / fans / friends. They can simply choose their favorite motif, which expresses their personality and so they become the carriers of your message. The only one thing what we need is a high-resolution picture of your chosen motif. There are no borders here – everything is possible! 

Art out of Serendipity – Accidental Art – Chance as Art – Art or Chance?

Chance – a cross-border game

Duration of the exhibition: 01.01 – 31.03.2019
Location: Concept Gallery PAULINA’S FRIENDS, Gartenstr. 114, 10115 Berlin-Mitte
Opening: Thu, 10. Januar 2019
Opening times: Thu, Fr, Sa 14-19h, by appointment, serendipity and during the opening times

Curator: Paulina Tsvetanova

Application procedure:

13 creatives: artists / designers from all artistic disciplines – visual & performing arts and design, as well as interfaces of the creative disciplines.

Fee: 250 € per month plus VAT (× 3 months = 750 € p.P plus VAT)

The participation fee includes the costs for curating, rental, staff, marketing, PR etc.

Each artist * in / designer * gets 2 x 2m wall space or floor space (2x2x2m) or 6 shelves in the front room of the gallery.

The acceptance for the exhibition commits to the participation fee for the entire exhibition duration of three months (you will be invoiced beginning of 2019). For return transport, the artists themselves are responsible. The setting up takes place: 01-03.01., dismantling 30.-31.03 (for work, which will be picked up later, a storage room fee will be charged.)

Your benefits:

As a participant in the exhibition you get the unique opportunity to use the gallery for your actions (artist talks, performance, workshop, symposium, but you have to manage the space yourself, if not during the opening hours)

Participants get 100 % from the sale of their works

Free permanent profile at www.paulinasfriends.com/art or www.paulinasfriends.com/design in German & English (if not available)

A personal interview for the online magazine: www.paulinasfriends.com/magazine

A book „Vom Glück des Zufalls. Das Nichtstun genießen – oder warum wir das Leben dem Zufall überlassen sollten.“ as a present

The serendipity life principle will love you 🙂

If you want to be a part of the Zufallsladen (Serendipity Shop) and the exhibition, then apply until the 27.11.2018!

Please send us a short statement (½ to max. 1 DIN A4 page, please without CV!) And max. 3 pictures of your work including details – dimensions, titles, year of origin, endprice to hello@paulinasfriends.com

Some inspirational questions for your application:

„Chance comes from emptiness. To the artist it brings fullness.“ Dieter Mahlow

What does Serendipity mean to you?

What role does chance play in your art?

What stories does it tell in your work?

How does chance affect you in the creative process?

Do you use chance as an aesthetic creative principle? How? For example, through experimentation with forms, structures, materials, techniques, as well as contextual relationships …?

Do you have a strategy to use chance?

Your method of random generation?

How does chance help you to break new ground artistically?

Is chance in art/design/creativity necessary?

Am I in control of the aesthetic results of chance on my work?

What insights/awareness about your art has given you chance?

Is there such a thing as objective chance in art, or is chance for you a subjective sensation?

What is the relationship between rules, chance and chaos in your art?

How much calculation, intellect, order can chance endure in art?

How do you steer chance artistically?

When is the creative moment triggered by chance?

Does every random, systematic experiment in the creative process lead to a new artistic territory?

When are supposed accidents in art really art?

Is there something like good and bad luck in art?

Which aspects of your art elude your actions, desires, wishes?

Does chance give you meaningful freedom?

Is natural or directed / provoked chance a stroke of luck for you as an artist?

Does the recognition of chance in your art make the magic of art smaller?

If art is made according to the playful random principle, is it art at all from your point of view?

How much power should one give to chance? Can chance be completely mastered?

Do you use chance to succeed in the art scene?

Can real freedom in art not only be achieved through complete lack of will and intention?

Does chance unfold when you get involved in the creative process?

Do you know the feeling of (mis)using chance (subconsciously) in order to disguise my own technical shortcomings as an artist?

Does (supposed) chance not give sense to your artistic creations?

From your point of view, is it possible to experience / allow chance only through total abandon to the (sub)consciousness?

How do you feel in those moments when you realize what chance was good for?

Can art redefine chance over and over again?

Which conventions / prejudices / concepts about your reality have you blown overboard thanks to chance?