After two years, the time has come for Daria Miasoedova to pass the torch to two(!) new in-house photographers. Mao Atth and Willem Mevis are the Brussels photographers who will follow in Daria’s footsteps.
Out of more than a hundred candidates, this duo came out on top. In view of the growing number of concerts and projects in (and around) AB, we decided to go for two photographers this year. The two very different photographers will capture many of our concerts and other events throughout the year, so you’ll be seeing a lot of their pictures from now on.
Of course, we would also like to thank Daria emphatically for the last two years. Daria has become an important part of AB and we’re really proud of the impressive and beautiful body of work she has produced here (and elsewhere). Fortunately, she will continue to take photographs regularly for AB; you haven’t heard the last of her.
Now it's Mao and Willem's turn to introduce themselves.
MAO ATTH
"My name is Mao and I'm 21. I'm a music and dance photographer based in Brussels.
It was when I found myself by chance at a dance battle with a camera almost 5 years ago that I immediately realised that photography was the art form that suited me and through which it was most natural for me to express myself.
Music has always been an integral part of my life and it was only natural that I wanted to capture this environment. I've had the opportunity to accompany a number of Belgian and international artists at festivals and concerts, and above all I love putting my art to work for another artist and helping them to develop their image and their artistic universe.
Freezing emotions and creating memories for people is, I think, the very essence of photography and that's what I'm trying to do through my work.
From this new adventure at Ancienne Belgique I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new people and getting even closer to the world of music and music lovers. Evolving in my practice and alongside a venue as iconic as the AB is, I'm sure, an experience that can only be enriching and I can't wait to get started."
WILLEM MEVIS
"I am a photographer from Vilvoorde, living in Brussels. My fascination with light and visual compositions led me to start photographing. Initially, the camera was a meditative tool for me to wander the streets of Brussels and observe everything happening around me. Over the years, and during various travels, I learned to open myself up to my surroundings as a photographer, and I began to see my camera more as a tool to connect with the people I encountered. This took me to places and brought me into contact with people I otherwise wouldn’t have experienced or gotten to know.
Two years ago, this got me my first opportunity as a student in-house photographer at the Brussels concert venue Pilar. This was a playground where I was able to develop and challenge myself both professionally and creatively. Later, I had opportunities with various independent Brussels collectives and captured a few festivals. Currently, I embrace the ongoing search for what I want to tell with my images through constant experimentation and inspiration.
From this upcoming chapter at Ancienne Belgique, I expect to learn and discover a lot, both in terms of photography and in terms of music and all the people around it. Personally, I’m especially looking forward to concerts like Darkside, Ezra Collective, Martin Kohlstedt, RY X, Whispering Sons... but I'm also curious about the performances by Amenra, Jacob Collier, Baloji, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Tokio Hotel, among others."
Welcome and good luck!
(Pictures at You Chaotic Rêverie - Grand Opening of Daria’s expo)
