Artist Series : Beerens
Michael Beerens is an artist with a vision of his own. Since a couple of years already, this Parisian guy fills Paris’ walls with a whole bunch of zany animals, the one crazier than the next. His style is unmistakable, and we were delighted to invite him collaborating on the “Unknown Territories” collection, where his work fits perfectly in.
Hi Michael, glad to do an interview with you today.
Let’s start from the beginning…
Can you tell us who you are?
Half a youngster who does drawings in public spaces.
How would you define your job?
Nice.
Your world is often populated by animals … can you tell us where your inspiration comes from and what attracts you to our animal friends?
I don’t really know … I spend my time watching wildlife documentaries so I must be something like…fascinated by the animal world.
No matter how much the human being thinks he’s the best, we’re nothing but one animal specie among many … Of course, our brain is more developed, but that’s also what brings about our downfall!
Now then inspiration can come from anywhere … a life scene, a phrase in a song, a stool with a too-short foot!
Does the city look like a huge zoo to you?
Not really, I don’t like the city that much to be honest (pollution, noise, police, noise, noise, noise … police). I love finding abandoned places where nature has, in some way, reasserted itself and hitting myself into the environment. But visibility is very important to me because I want to share with the audience so I do a bit of both…
Your drawings are most of the time black and white, why?
Cheaper and more efficient!
There is often a hidden message behind each of your works … Do you design your art as a protest form?
I don’t think we can talk about protest. I feel I have something to say and the public space is for sure the best place to express yourself freely because it calls directly on people without going through an intermediary who may restrain the message.
But basically I don’t hope to make a better word by making drawings on the walls …
If it can awaken even a micro-reflection among some people that wouldn’t be bad at all!
What is your best memory as an artist, of course?
Graffiti stories that I can’t tell…
And your worst one?
Graffiti stories that I can’t tell…
I’ve seen your last work on the net, the one with the skull… Can you tell me a little more about it?
I was involved in a short film directed by Antonio Amaral who is going to be released in October …
An interesting project; I can’t wait to see the result!
There are to me real strings between what you do and Olow, is it the first time you’re collaborating with a clothing brand? How did you get the idea of the two visuals?
True! First collaboration … I liked the attitude of the brand, I hope you’ll go far …
Concerning the visuals… I have no idea! I guess I was inspired by the brand’s “raw nature” side.
Thank you for answering this few questions dude, a word to end up with?
What about a riddle?
Who goes nioc-nioc?
