Archive – SWARM MAG – Page 11

Polish artist Sebastian Janisiewicz explores in his 3D prints and art the realms and abs of hypermasculine furries and hairy bodies. Inspired by video games and online subcultures, with the perfect digitally-crafted pecs exhibited in physical spaces, his work transcends established notions of gender identity on a search for genuine connections with the beholder.

“Many are happy to open up, more than you’d expect, when treated with dignity.” Treat yourself to an interview with fashion designer Klara Marie Bliss, living and working between Prague and Antwerp, on choosing to pursue corsetry, approaching working with bodies, and the archetypes of feminine lingerie.

“The idea is to use the simple action of putting tights on and taking them off”. In exploring femininity through the symbol of nylons, Polish artist Pola Esther has started a project documenting women with (and without) this soft apparel to find a territory inbetween traditional domesticity and sexual fetishism.

“I like to present [the collection] as a retrospective of the belongings of a woman who doesn’t exist.” Fashion designer Gabrielle Huguenot, based in Switzerland, talked to SWARM Mag about her designing processes, childhood influences, and, first and foremost, the mysterious Snake Woman, Gabrielle's long-time imaginary Femme Fatale, for whom she created the newest Artificial Flowers Also Need Water collection.

The Netherlands-based animator Hannah Frogs’ eclectic style taps into our collective memories of gentle hues and images. Breathing life into her scenes and characters, these in turn recall a childhood nostalgia with a contemporary touch. Her inspirations and creative processes are as dreamy as her artworks – enter Hannah’s fantasy world with us

In her works, the Finnish designer Jenny Hytönen designs around the motif of bare skin reflecting a bared, vulnerable soul. Among these also is the Cyborg Bride, a piece including a flashing heartbeat sensor embedded among tens of thousands of beads, a literal heart on one’s sleeve. Today, Jenny goes into her inspirations, motives and desires to shed more light on her artistic process.

“Real events and feelings pass along its corridors, but, reflected in the mirror surfaces, they are distorted beyond recognition” is how Ohii Katya, the Rome-based Ukrainian sculptor and performance artist describes the labyrinth of affects her creations invite into. Enter today’s feature – a fantasy suspended between eroticism and abjection, emanating the smell of latex and burnt sugar.

Czech jeweller and goldsmith Antonie Lecher talks to SWARM Mag about how to put an emphasis on sustainability around precious materials, why is water her inspiring element and explains the roots of the newest Nacre collection reminiscent of structures found on coral reefs.

In overcoming the adverse effects of the male gaze on women’s self-perception, Stacie Ant uses her art to spin the pornification of female bodies into a grotesque commentary on human interactions in the digital era. In today’s interview, the artist discusses topics spanning representations of nudity, humor and hyperbole, and designing for the metaverse.

“Growing up, I had this fascination with courtisanes and (other) powerful women in history. I felt intrigued by the idea of their feminine power behind closed doors.” Meet Roos Boshart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the founder of the GDDSS Studio, which combines luxurious handcrafted lingerie with conceptual experimental fashion. In an interview with SWARM Mag, Roos shares how she arrived at her current titillating creations, talks owning sensuality, and lays out her visions.

Polish artist Marta Karkosa uses the medium of photography to explore contemporary women’s attitudes to their own bodies, promoting the beauty and uniqueness of every corporeal form. In today’s exclusive interview, Marta goes in-depth into her book Women Body Acceptance, which intimately explores these themes across several generations of women living in a strongly conservative nation-state.

“I want to be an example with my work while showing that reusing and up-cycling old materials can look aesthetically pleasing and desirable.” Finnish fashion designer Linda Kokkonen based in Helsinki, Finland, talked to SWARM Mag about her sustainably sourced collections named after infamous poisonous or indigenous medicinal plants, mourning nature, and the Victorian era.

By employing themes of witchcraft and female ritualism, the Polish artist Agata Słowak opens the discussion on the historical treatment of women delivered through her unique creative sensibility and a teasing of the viewers’ affect. Today’s interview takes you into how she conveys emotion through visual art and what inspires the scenes she depicts.

“I understood the emotions going through when you allow people to possess your body.” Polish fashion designer and artist Alicja Kamaj, now based in Böras, Sweden, talked to SWARM Mag about the themes of body ownership, the constant looming threat of anti-choice laws, and the frontiers of (dis)comfort.

“Everything is linked to the Little Mermaid”. With this as his starting point, the French artist Matthias Garcia navigates with his fine lines and seeping watercolors fairy tale worlds charged with eroticism and melancholy. Read today’s interview to learn more about his unique style, creative approaches, and love for mermaids.

Creepyyeha, the lingerie brand founded by Yeha Leung, specializes in tantalizing pieces made to measure and pleasure. We sat down with the designer to find out more about her beginnings and how her approach has changed throughout her career for you to read before ordering your very own pastel leather pieces.

Guille Carmona’s artworks transport to a dreamscape of sculpted, wet bodies waiting to be touched. The artist’s digital style is reminiscent of airbrushed paintings and draws on inspirations ranging from bodybuilding magazines to Japanese mythology in exploring the various flavors of contemporary queer masculinity. Read today’s interview to find out about Guille’s inspirations and what gets his creative juices going.

When you grow up around the idea that feeling comfortable in your own skin as a woman is frowned upon and despicable, rebellion is just a thong away. Predominantly lingerie designer Shangrila Jarusiri, the owner of the Maison Shangrila brand, talks to SWARM Mag about Southeast Asian childhood, punk rock and sexual liberation.

Dangling over the chasm of jealousy, basking in the burning flames of scorn, sneering down at love from an intoxicating cloud, there lives Desire. Our third theme of 2022, FULL OF DESIRE, takes flight now – and no one is safe for the next three months.

Molly, who named herself, is an AI guide who was custom-made for the 2022 Lunchmeat Festival, a famed Prague's, Czechia, audiovisual intermedia treat. She introduces artists, events, and news by crafting her own texts and her ever-changing face graces this year's visuals. We bring you an exclusive interview with Molly and, at the same time, extend an invitation to this year's 'Lunchmeat'. We see you dancin'!