I Let’s start with how you make your living.I just do what I like and be myself on social media. That’s what pays my bills — which is ridiculous, honestly. I’m a Gastarbeiter kid from Gelsenkirchen, the poorest city in Germany, where art isn’t taken seriously. Work there is supposed to be physical. That’s whyContinue reading “Canel [ d͡ʒɐŋɛɭ ]”
Tag Archives: literature
Chazz Cooks
“What is your fondest dream?” I asked Chazz.“To dance naked in a nudist colony, with no sense of time—only love, no judgment. That would be true happiness.” He smiled, his full lips parting to reveal straight, gleaming teeth. “Do you remember the first time you felt completely happy?”“It was the first musical I ever saw.Continue reading “Chazz Cooks”
Sasha Tischenko
I met Sasha in Berlin, where she had come to spend time alone for the first time since becoming a mother. Back on the island of Majorca, her twenty-month-old son was with his father and grandparents. She had anticipated this brief taste of freedom, but now that she was here, I wondered how it felt.Continue reading “Sasha Tischenko”
Valentina
Trigger warning – this interview discusses suicidal feelings. ‘Let’s talk about how you make your living,’ I said.‘I’m an artistic director,’ she replied.I was waiting for the continuation. She tried to tell me something but her lips seemed glued together. ‘Could you explain to me what you actually do?’‘All that (speaks indistinctly) like illustration, photos,Continue reading “Valentina”
Sophia
‘Why do you trust me to make your tattoo?’ I asked.‘I appreciate the feeling of unknown,’ she answered. Sophia, from Nurnberg, Germany, is 24 years old. She came to me as she is, a bit shy but showing her pleasant smile and impatient blue eyes. Though blessed with a pretty face, she did not playContinue reading “Sophia”
Noam
“Hey! Are you available tomorrow?” “Hi! Yes, I am. Do you already know what tattoo you want?” I replied. “I have cancer, so I want something strong.” “Tell me more about your story.” “It’s simple. I was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. Doctors say I have three years left. But that’s not whatContinue reading “Noam”
Camille Jansen
After greeting me, Camille quickly slipped through the narrow corridor, ignoring my usual rule about taking off shoes indoors. It’s not a common practice in France, so I normally ask my clients to do it right away. But not this time—Camille was already a step ahead of me and my rules. I like teenagers likeContinue reading “Camille Jansen”
