Interview: Aliénor Bereder
Luca Curci talks with Aliénor Bereder during MIXING IDENTITIES, second appointment of CANVAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

“I started my painting career in 2003, aged 3, with lovely frescoes on the very bland white painting job that had just been done in my parent’s house. Needless to say, my parents weren’t very impressed or sensitive to my artistic side back then. I am freshly graduated from a school of photography (SPEOS, in Paris), after having followed various pieces of training in music, photography and philosophy in different højskoles (Folk High Schools) in Denmark. I do abstract and figurative paintings, my photographs reflect my diversity and I love experimenting in this medium but I also just released my first music album in December 2022. I love trying out new things and I have also tried my hand at making silver jewelry. That being said, I prefer to focus on who I am and what I like. My name is Aliénor BEREDER. I am half French and half Danish and I navigate between Brussels, Copenhagen and Paris. I like to draw, paint, laugh, gesticulate, act, sing, photograph life, laugh, sing, take care of those I love, laugh, play the piano, sing again, compose music, cuddle my dog, travel, cook, laugh, wear mismatched and/or colourful socks, and I do my best to change the world and fight injustice.” – Aliénor Bereder.

Luca Curci – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
Aliénor Bereder – Depending on the type of photography (street photography, fine art, architectural…) I guess I would say the story behind it, but personally, I like to contrast whether it s in the colours, in the shapes or even in the idea behind the picture, I like movement even in the most still pictures, and I really love details, the smallest drop of water on a body, fully focused would be beautiful in my opinion.

LC – How important is the editing process in your work? How’s yours?
AB – It really depends. As a general rule, editing is important in the sense that with two different photographers editing the exact same picture, your picture will look completely different. Editing is a part of my visual identity as much as no editing could also be. I wouldn’t say I’m a big retoucher/editor. I use it to complete my photos but my portraits will never look like the ones in a fashion or beauty magazine, that’s for sure.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
AB – Unless it’s a series, not really, or not consciously at least. I think I have a specific style, like every artist, but I love experimenting and trying new things all the time, which makes my art move all the time.

LC – Is there an unrealised or unrealisable project, even a crazy one, that you would like to work on?
AB – Actually there are a few, yes. I m a passionate musician as well as a photographer and painter, and I ve always been curious about the link between vista art forms and audible ones. There are two main themes I’d like to work on: the first one is Cymatics; the movement of matter created to withstand the vibrations of a membrane; but for that, I need a specific type of membrane (metal, glass, etc…) and then, of course, a proper speaker. The second one would be Synesthesia, which is a « phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway » in other words when you see shapes or colours when you listen to music. I’m not exactly sure how to yet, but I’d like to be able to show this phenomenon in my photographs…

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
AB – For the projects I’ve accomplished until now my first choice of subjects was instinctive, but I don t think that makes it any less reasoned. My choices come from the guts but that s because I know exactly what my project is and what I want/need, so when I see in someone the perfection for my project, it s instantaneous.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
AB – I feel very close to it as I had worked on a similar kind of project in the past and I think it inspired me as much on a personal level as on a societal level.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the exhibition’s theme?
AB – A lot of people asked about my Ubuntu piece if it was a man or a woman or if the person was of color or not, and sometimes even about their sexual orientation, but does it truly matter? Is it truly important to know all these things to understand the meaning of Ubuntu? Identity is what makes us who we are and it s so precise but at the same time it s very blurry, there are so many things that could or could not be about someone but does it really change my core self?

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
AB – After doing my own research and participating in one of ITSLIQUID’s exhibitions I strongly believe there are opportunities yes. I got to meet other artists and got to discuss eventual collaborations, I got to meet almost the whole team and talk to different people related to the artistic world and for an artist to go somewhere, talent doesn’t cut it, relations and opportunities are what s needed. I think ITSLIQUID gave me an incredible opportunity, especially as an emerging artist, but you have to do the relation and promotion work yourself！

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
AB – I find your team dynamic and responsive. I got quick feedback on questions from the person handling my case, and I felt taken care of (helped? Accompanied?). It is rather reassuring in this universe where a lot of predators hang around trying to exploit you. In addition, your presence, with a large audience, on several social networks (Instagram, Facebook but also LinkedIn) is a definite advantage for a young artist who wishes to quickly reach a large number of people.