YHWH [and the Birds of Appetite]

PHOTOGRAPHY

Apr 2

For photographer Sebastian Ferruzo, the Western understanding of spirituality is a fascinating topic. In American society, where capitalism has generated enormous wealth disparities and social inequalities, his work connects with the people at the edge of that society. What keeps people going to look for meaning in life even when it’s dark and bleak around them?

Photography Sebastian Ferruzo

The title of this series comes from a Thomas Merton essay, where he is introducing Zen to a western audience. He uses the metaphor “birds of appetite” to allude to the western capitalist mindset that doesn’t allow people to understand spirituality that is nuanced and has any depth.

This project is a meditation on the omnipresent sense of dread that permeates modern American society as a result of the capitalistic forces that separate humans from nature; both external nature and the nature within ourselves.

It also looks at the way that in spite of this heaviness, we search for meaning and try to make sense of our lives amidst the darkness that those of us at the bottom of the totem pole feel.

“The time will come when they will sell you even your rain. At the moment, it is still free, and I am in it. I celebrate its gratuity and its meaninglessness.”

Thomas Merton

About Sebastian

Sebastian Ferruzo was born in Lima, Peru in 1996. He immigrated to the U.S. illegally with his family in his childhood. He grew up in an environment that held success in the material world as the only noble and worthy life objective, which led him to discover himself and the arts at a later age.

After barely graduating his senior year of high school, he spent his final teenage years running away from that world he grew up in. Traveling in cheap cars, trains and greyhound busses and engaging with the folks he found at the edges of society. They filled him with immense inspiration and optimism as they allowed him to see the beauty in the meaninglessness of life.

Sebastian has always felt like an outsider, though now his camera has given this feeling a sense of meaning, a permission to observe and contemplate. He is currently based in New York City where he lives a quiet life life with his wife and pets.

To see more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram

Enjoyed this article?
Like ZERO.NINE on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Singer/songwriter Paris Paloma's journey into music is one that begins with her upbringing and her deep-rooted love for storytelling. When speaking to her ahead of the release of her newest single, “boys, bugs, and men”, she candidly reflected on her transition from creative writing to songwriting, a shift that occurred during her teenage years, and led her to a unique creative process where storytelling meets with ethereal melodies.

And I lie another day

Delve into the introspective world of Karla Guerrero with ‘And I Lie Another Day’ – a photographic series that navigates the nuances of existence and womanhood. Through inherited memories and maternal influences, the artist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and identity.

Immigrant Owned

Meet Jonathan Castillo, a visionary photographer whose work transcends boundaries and celebrates the essence of the American dream. With a keen focus on immigrant entrepreneurship and the vibrant tapestry of local communities, his series illuminates the often overlooked pillars of the American economy.

Beauty – Realism

Realism beauty captures intricate details by creating a sense of intimacy for viewers and invites an appreciation of delicate hues or textures of makeup. Macro photography focuses on individual features while the story celebrates the raw beauty of unretouched skin, embracing imperfections as a testament to authenticity and honesty in makeup artistry.

Let's build a sandcastle

Sand mining, once a symbol of time and nature's intricate work, has transformed into a stark reminder of humanity's unchecked greed. Through the lens of Jakub Stanek's photography, the relentless exploitation of this natural resource confronts us with the harsh reality of irreversible consequences. It's time to reconsider our priorities and strike a balance between human needs and planetary protection.

Nothing to See Here

Ben Zank, a native of New York City, discovered his passion for photography at the age of 18 when he stumbled upon a Pentax ME Super in his grandmother's attic. Using his self-portraits as a means to express emotions where words fall short, Zank is poised to unveil his debut photo book, showcasing his distinct artistic vision.

Queer the dancefloor

Over the past two decades, Northern Irish DJ CORMAC has steadily built a reputation as one of queer clubland’s most enduring and vital figures. Following the launch of his own imprint Polari Records, he’s recently released ‘Queerly Beloved’ – an essential new podcast series featuring always frank and often funny conversations exploring queerness, identity and music with an impressive line-up of fascinating guests.

Me Entro El Garrion (I got the Sparrow)

Photographer and filmmaker Lorna Carmichael travelled to Cuba to document the impacts of the enduring US embargo. Upon her arrival, she discovered that local Cubans also yearn for a bygone era, prompting her to create the photo story 'I got a sparrow' to encapsulate these sentiments.

Don’t sleep on Henry Rowley

Scroll through your ‘For You’ page for long enough and you’ll likely come across Henry Rowley (if you’re not already one of his 1.3 million followers), where the Leicester-born comedian posts his distinct sketches, impressions, and parodies, making fun of everything from Harry Potter to the Soho House wait staff. This year, however, Henry is bringing his first solo hour-long comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe and to the stage in London. We get to know the man behind the internet’s favourite characters it loves to hate.

I have nothing

With his ongoing series ‘I Have Nothing’, Lagos-based photographer Ebenezer Okike documents Nigeria's new generation, delving into emerging stereotypes and desires. The resulting images feel very personal and intimate, capturing details and scenes of daily life in Nigeria.

Crystal Murray – The Beauty in Evolution

Crystal Murray has seen a lot in her young tenure: touring jazz clubs with her father, founding fashion collective Gucci Gang in Paris, producing music during the Pandemic, as well as releasing her voracious comeback single, ‘Payback’, this year. As we delve into conversation over Zoom, the Parisian artist clambers into the back of a taxi - traversing through her newly-accustomed life in London, a city cultivating her eclectic musical ambitions and greater dreams.

Rouge One

A Bronze Age 3600-year-old red lipstick was recently discovered in the Jiroft region of Iran. The colour and texture were not too dissimilar from today’s lipstick’s combination of wax and pigments. This ancient cosmetic was found encased in a tube-like container.

Dryland

The present humanitarian crisis in East Africa leaves many individuals displaced by the severe impact of climate change. Photographer Felicity McCabe visited Somaliland to document the ephemeral existence of the refugees and the distinctive architecture of their camps.

Imagined Images

The series ‘Imagined Images’ consists of 136 images, all generated with the help of AI. Visual artist Maria Mavropoulou created these images to recall unphotographed memories, moments she imagined or has been told that happened. With her work, she asks: What is the use of a photograph?

David Shields – Flying High

Charismatic British actor David Shields’ profile has steadily been on the rise over the last few years. Following turns in The Crown, Doctor Who and a truly scene-stealing appearance in Black Mirror, Shields is now rubbing shoulders with the hottest movie stars of the day in the new Spielberg-produced multi-million-dollar WWII epic Masters Of The Air on Apple TV+. We catch up with a star firmly in the ascendant.

You Go Ahead—I'll Watch

Photographer Mickey Aloisio’s first solo exhibition just opened at Marlborough in NYC. "You Go Ahead—I'll Watch" features his interdisciplinary art using various analogue media and other alternative technologies. The exhibition includes work from his series "Lunch Break" and "Morning Dew," exploring transgressive narratives, queer navigation and intimate moments. Drawing inspiration from Laud Humphreys' controversial 1970s text Tearoom Trade, Aloisio examines consent, manipulation and deception in human relationships. The showcased works include archival pigment prints, cyanotypes and the video installation "Channel 17".

BIFRÖST

French photographer Romain Coudrier went to the Artic Circle in search of one of the greatest civilisations, the Vikings. He found a mix of vast nature and isolated spaces under the domination of mass consumption.

Marungka Tjalatjunu (dipped in black)

With “Marungka tjalatjunu (Dipped in black)”, photographer Matthew Thorne documents the poignant journey of Derik Lynch, a queer Yankunytjatjara man, as he embarks on a road trip back to his ancestral country for spiritual healing. This autobiographical series explores Derik's memories of growing up in a remote Anangu community, delving into the profound intersections of his identity across four cultural worlds – whitefella, blackfella, Christian, and Queer.

LIGHT/MASS

Inspired by the bright and crisp light of the East Coast, British photographer Owen Davies, captured his new home New York City in a new and fascinating way. Brutalist structures and buildings stand like timeless monuments against the bright sky creating an eerie scenery completely absent of any human presence.

Portraits of Áo Dài (Hope For Peace And Love)

Vietnamese photographer Chiron Duong embarked on his project ‘365 days with Áo Dài’ to showcase the beauty and rich cultural relevance of Áo Dài – a traditional Vietnamese dress. The resulting images are rich in colour, emotions and show us a modern Vietnam that many haven’t seen like this before.

Jim Sturgess – Better late than never

After an illustrious acting career, starring in films with Anne Hathaway, Ray Liotta, or Billy Bob Thornton, among many others; he speaks to us from his East London house, full of charm and humility.

The Last Stand

Between 2010 and 2014, photographer Marc Wilson travelled to 143 locations across the British Isles and Northern Europe to capture physical remnants of the Second World War. His captivating images transport us into another time – eerie landscapes, abandoned structures and the absence of humans create a parallel universe of a time gone by. His book The Last Stand has just been published in its 4th edition and is available now.

Starling

Internationally-acclaimed Danish photographer Søren Solkær – best known for his iconic portraits of artists such as Björk, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith, Pharrell Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and David Lynch – is set to release his 9th photographic monograph, Starling, on 26th December 2023. The images continue his photographic exploration of starling murmurations, a phenomenon known in Denmark as ‘Black Sun’.

Underground Halloween

For 20 years, Seymour Licht went out every October 31st to take pictures of strangers on the New York subway. His fascinating collection of images of partygoers in costumes is now compiled in his first book Undergound Halloween – a piece of New York history like no other. We spoke to Seymour in an exclusive interview about his passion for the scariest time of the year and what kind of people he’s meeting on the subway.

Black Peppa – Paint it black

It’s been just over a year since Drag Race UK viewers first encountered self-styled ‘Caribbean Empress of Birmingham’ Black Peppa, arguably the fiercest queen to tread the UK’s catwalk to date. Fashion-forward looks and lip sync assassin skills aside, it was Peppa’s inspiring story of self-realisation that truly captured viewers’ hearts. We catch up with Peppa alter ego Akeem-Anthony Adams about growing up in Sint Maarten, their unique style and life after reality TV.

Signs of time

When Russia started to invade Ukraine on 24th February 2022, Odessa-based photographer Viacheslav Onyshchenko felt paralysed and scared. Taking pictures and documenting his hometown was his way of coping with the fear and switching off from the constant news and media reports. Instead of photographing the evidence of the war, his work shows the ‘new normal’, the surreal everyday life of people in Odessa.

I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From

Together with her friend Alejandra Ortiz, a writer and activist from Mexico, photographer Iris Haverkamp Begemann created the photo series ‘I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From’. Iris travelled to Alejandra’s hometown in Mexico, tracing back her childhood and early life. The project creates an intimate portrait of identity and at the same time exposes a juxtaposition in experience and personal freedom.

David Holmes, a galloping man

In the silence preceding the symphony, David Holmes, DJ, producer, and composer (Ocean's Eleven, Killing Eve, Hunger) emerges as a masterful storyteller of sonic tales. His first album after a 15-year hiatus, is not merely a collection of songs but a musical odyssey guiding listeners through uncharted soundscapes. In this intimate interview, we delve into the very heart of Holmes's creativity, unraveling the mysteries behind each chord and lyric. Join us as the artist shares the inspirations, challenges, and revelatory moments that shaped his most recent musical creation.

Tree of Life

The beauty, symbolism, and versatility of flowers have transcended the natural world and found a place on the runways, shaping fashion and beauty trends with their timeless appeal. Claudine Blythman used Mimosa, with colours inspired by Iris and Peonies to symbolise love, friendship and healing.

Songs of Love and Loss

With ‘Songs of love and loss’, Francis Augusto captures moments of tension, tenderness and romance, which take us inside a gallery of feelings. His artworks explore the moments that characterise and stimulate our feelings of love and grief, enriching our cultural and artistic conversation on intimacy and relationships.

Christian Trippe

YHWH [and the Birds of Appetite]

“The time will come when they will sell you even your rain. At the moment, it is still free, and I am in it. I celebrate its gratuity and its meaninglessness.”

READ NEXT

Hot Zone

The future is hyperreal