What do you see when you envision the future of the Belgian creative scene? For us, we see diverse, unique perspectives, representative of the world around us. That is exactly why we have been working on our 20-something issues since 2014. These June editions feature 20 people in their (pre-)twenties who are a guide, an inspiration or an Earlybird for the young generation of today in Belgium. It is the greatest honour to step into the minds of some of the most innovative young people in Belgium; and learn about their dreams, fears, inspirations and even their celebrity crushes. This year’s list was co-curated with Kevin Kotahunyi, founder of Please Add Color.
Mustaf Ahmeti
pronouns: confused, 26, artist/performer, Ghent
What do we & our readers need to remember about you?
I’m trying to understand myself within the world through my work, by questioning my boundaries without looking for answers.
You are working on RADICAL HOPE - EYE TO EYE. What is it like to collaborate with your lover?
I am grateful to have the opportunity to work together with my significant other. This is very unique. Sometimes it’s hard to combine relationships with professional work, so we are learning a lot from each other, but it feels also liberating and gives a lot of hope. I think RADICAL HOPE - EYE TO EYE will show a landscape of opportunities in a very intimate way.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to work together with my significant other
What artists are you listening to?/Which records are you playing most right now?
Dialects Advanced Myth, James Blake, Slim Soledad’s What has Berlin done to me, Lyra Pramuk, Frank Ocean
What book are you currently reading?
The Posthuman by Rosi Braidotti
Which film have you enjoyed lately?
The Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky
What makes your heart go faster these days?
Working together with my lover on RADICAL HOPE - EYE TO EYE.
What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am?
Working in the atelier with Stef
What’s your personal utopia?
A healed world without war
What brings you satisfaction?
Swimming
How do you relax?
Getting my responsibilities done, workouts, cooking good food, spending some time with my lovely friends, the sun & the moon together with the stars, taking care of my plants, reading, stretching my whole body, yoga, taking a bath, walking, listening to music, body research, being with Stef❣️.
What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people?
The Japanese dance named butoh.
What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?
Spending my life with my lover and creating new work with other artists or alone.
What is the latest/future project you are working on?
My own performance. In July 2022 I will do a residency in Gouvernement Gent for 1 month, I intend to premiere that piece at the end of 2023.
What will the second part of 2022 bring you?
I will premiere with Wilstage by Aïda Gabriels in the AB on 16 September. In October I will start with the rehearsals of Tiuri – a long movie/documentary of Jellie Schippers and Myriam Van Gucht and in between of this I will perform in their installation De Tussentijdcapsule. I will try to combine these projects with my own rehearsals and residencies.
Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life?
Judith Willems is forever my bf.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately?
To unlearn, deconstruct, act from experience and break the silence by destroying general structures in our society.
Break the silence by destroying general structures in our society
Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention?
Oriana Ikomo & Daisy Darkpark need all the attention.
Comfort food/speciality dish?
Culinary vegan/veggie food with fruity white wine.
Celebrity crush?
Anok Yai
Most irrational fear?
Rats
Most rational fear?
Climate change gives me anxiety.
If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform?
LA Strip Wings Club vibes
What were you like as a child?
Not a child
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Spreading love in this world as glitters fall from the clouds.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Stef
If there was a book about your life, what would the title be?
MUSTAV
Biggest red flag?
Homophobia, transphobia, racism, patriarchy
Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/song
‘Touch my skin darling, touch my skin honey, touch all of this skin’
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