The June issue usually gives way to a new 20-something list, featuring models, musicians, actors, illustrators, fashion designers, photographers, artists, architects,... and so much more. The people who are a representation of young society in Belgium, a generation ready to rule our world. In 2020, hence the double number, we’re serving you, hungry hearts, 2 editions of our acclaimed list. That’s right, we’re doubling the number of features, starting a bit earlier. Let us introduce you to the faces you didn't realise you wanted to meet!
Chloé Arrouy
Visual artist, Brussels
What do we & our readers need to remember about you?
Even if I may seem like a pessimist, I still love life.
What is the (near) future bringing you?
I wish I could answer that question. It's really hard for me to project myself in general, even more so these days. But it is ok, I guess I’ll be alright. I’m more worried about the planet than I am about myself.
What are you up to these days?
I sleep or listen to ambient music and cry. When I don't sleep or cry, I am busy in my studio, I weld everything I can find which looks like metal, and I'm helping another artist (Nils Alix Tabeling) with his future projects because his work is incredible.
What artists are you listening to?
Forever Malibu, Radiohead, Oklou but the lesser-known tracks, Ana Caprix, Boards of Canada… I confess it's been the same for several years now and I really can see myself listening to this for the rest of my life.
Which records are you playing most right now?
I mainly listen to mixes on Lyl Radio or NTS. The ones from Radha, Malibu, there is a series called Sacred Space, or some ambient video games track.
What makes your heart go faster these days?
Sunshine and the smell of welding metal, even if it's deadly, and maybe that’s why it makes my heart go faster.
What are you doing daily at 9 pm/9 am?
I try to wake up which is a challenge, then, I oblige myself to answer shitty administrative emails… morning is war. In the evening, I always try to see a friend and forget about my crappy morning.
How do you bring some routine into your days?
My routine evolves more in the nights, I have crazy dreams and that's what gives rhythm to my days and that’s why I don't like waking up.
What does your face mask look like?
Something very, very random, like a piece of paper, but I heard it works.
What’s your utopia?
To build a life outside economic oppression and social conventions and to feel free to be a human being.
What satisfies you?
Reading passages in books that make sense of things I've always thought about but never could formulate.
What’s your favourite lockdown Instagram account?
The truth is, I tend to scroll mechanically without really paying attention to what's going on, especially during this lockdown period. So it's hard to talk about anything interesting. Otherwise, I like @mrzb.merzbau, @ofluxo and @blackbearforge.
What’s your favourite lockdown book?
I've completely devoured Caliban et la Sorcière from Silvia Federici, which I recommend to everyone curious about the Middle Ages, witch hunts and capitalism. All of them are still hot topics. Also Le Jardin des Supplices from Octave Mirbeau, more trashy, though...
What’s your favourite lockdown film?
Donna Haraway: Story Telling for Earthly Survival from Fabrizzio Terranova, and the last Blade Runner.
How do you keep healthy?
I’ve given up alcohol except for red wine, I never watch the news and sometimes I go running in the woods.
What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people?
Is medieval torture surprising enough?
What would you like to be doing in 10 years?
Difficult to plan, I'm already trying to live each day with intensity, we'll see what happens next. I'm not very optimistic about social and artistic economics. But I'm still alive, I hope I'll stay in good health and far away from exhaust fumes.
How does the current crisis make you feel?
Sad and alive. Sometimes angry. Most of the time, I felt living in a hurry, but since life has taken its course, I think I'll stay on the other side of the fence. I believe more than ever that we need to start rethinking systems, reinvent ways of living and start believing, and wait for the second wave.
How important are fellow companions now? How do you reach out?
I need others a lot. Together we can exercise our critical thinking, it is where we can give importance to our ideas, where we can start to exercise our power. The form of our work relates to our social interactions, to our relationship to the world, so it's better not to give in to isolation, to keep in touch, to take care of everyone. I like having discussions, chats and conversations, and exchanging books.
What is the latest/future project you are working on?
I'm working on an exhibition that will take place through the NEVVEN gallery in Sweden, I will present some new pieces, paintings and abstract esoteric metal forms based on carnal suffering. If you're up for it, it starts online on 3 July at [www.nevven.com](http://www.nevven.com)
Did you have an exhibition/concert/show on your agenda these days? Which one?
I would have gone to the Supervue Festival in Liège, at the end of July. This and all the other cool stuff I wanted to go to has been cancelled, but if you have any good plans, let me know.
What will the second part of 2020 bring you?
Time will tell.
Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life?
My mother who is exceptional, incredibly attentive, and my father, an inveterate handyman and technical wizard. I can spend hours on the phone with them talking about my weird psychology and my fears about the world. I'm incredibly lucky, they might be less. Also, There’s no day passing by without writing or talking to Julia who helps me untangle life, Igor who always teaches me things about the depths of our cosmos, Sarah who makes me laugh a lot and Arnaud, who helps me to make my sculptures stand upright. Humans are fantastic.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately?
Water on molten metal causes an explosion. Very important to know.
Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention?
The planet?
Comfort food/speciality dish now?
Morning boiled eggs forever.
Lockdown hobby?
I started making music on Ableton and Logic. For the moment, my tracks are very approximate ambient instrumentals and have voices of broken-hearted girls crying non-stop. Always very funny. Otherwise, I’ve also stopped washing my hair, and now I’m observing the result and telling absolutely everyone about it.
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