Claim OwnershipUNIV ERSE: MDF INTERSECTIONS
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© Brody Polinsky
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MY DEAR FRIENDS: on living in recovery.
(ARCHIVE): interviews conducted during several years spent traveling the world seeking recovery and chasing time.
(ARCHIVE): interviews conducted during several years spent traveling the world seeking recovery and chasing time.
52 Episodes
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MDF.053: Painting, Sobriety, Bunny Farts, Berlin, Home Studio, Gender, Meditation, Spiritual Armour
Nika Fontaine (no pronouns) - Villalonga call - 2022 @nikafontaine
I first met Nika in a Thursday queer AA meeting in Berlin (since then our individual lives have gone through it supported by our friendship). Nika has a language brain, the gift of gab, and humour (I picked up on the by then faint quebecois accent right away).
Pre-covid Berlin was such a powerful time of recovery for me (only to be shown what was on its way with the years to come).
I laughed so hard with Nika I was concerned I had hurt myself several times (especially while sharing studio space which was also in Nika’s home). We have wandered through gender, blabbed about politics, shared recoveries, always cooked (and made lots of work).
Thank you!
Brody
Marina Reza (she/her) - Berlin - 2022 @reza.marina / www.marinareza.com
Marina first came to visit Berlin pre Corona with the intent to move over from NYC (a time in which now feels like a dream). We landed on the same page easily and she has become a big part of many of my recovery constellations (we live a stones throw apart and rarely accidentally run into each other on the street).
Marina is a writer and a poet and a singer of songs with an acoustic guitar (we finally went to a show together recently down the road of her crush Angel Olsen).
Thank you!
Hank (they/them) Pt 2 - Berlin - 2022 @butchcut030 / @qequal_official
Hank and I agreed that we had so much more to quatsch about that a second episode was a must (and we probably still forgot about plenty!). Being welcomed into Hanks queer / sober / safe barber shop in Kreuzberg for a head shaving ritual was magical (this offering makes for an interesting rhythm with some shorter gaps).
Thank you!
Hank (they/them) Pt 1 - Berlin - 2022 @butchcut030 / @qequal_official
Hank and I were in a few closer orbits through mutual friends for some years now without officially connecting (always having heard the nicest sentiments all made sense when we eventually met in the rooms).
In particular I was seeing how Hank empowers other queer trans folks around me through the ritual of haircuts (this self care strategy had always been elusive until starting to engage some years ago).
We sat in my kitchen the other day for this episode and have decided we only got half way there (we are planning to get closer to the bigger picture of Hank and the impact he has in Berlin this week).
Thank you!
Tony Just (he/him) - Berlin - 2022 @just.tony
I first saw Tony in a meeting as we were in a similar weekly rhythm (he was new to recovery and I was new to Berlin). Some years later the queer AA meetings started up which attracted all of us creative misfits (being in a closer orbit and hanging out for dinner afterwards).
I eventually had the courage to send Tony a friend request to be able to peek into his art world (this was still in the time of Facebook). My insecurities of being seen by the folks that I look up to are slowly lessening (because of the life giving practices we share that temper my fears).
Thank you!
Bojan (he/him) - Berlin - 2022 @ronny.bitter
We first met through tattooing while I was at AKA and some years later are living a few blocks away from each other (tattooers becoming actual friends is often nearly impossible to line up).
The folks around me tattooing often give back sage advice that finally clicks (I’m always impressed with people who don’t fear technology). I swing by the studio around the corner where Bojan tattoos walking Joni (the walls are absolutely covered in ephemera and I feel like a tattooer all of a sudden). He has amassed a trove of designs that are his signature folky design aesthetic (the trajectory of output is inane and seemingly never ending).
Thank you!
Joy Markus (they/them) - Berlin - 2022 @thisisjoyjessica
I first met Joy when living so very far apart and both tattooing (they reached out to me about a guest spot and we had a phone call and a tea). The world shut down soon after and our connection turned into a long distance mentorship dynamic (as they have been mentoring others and holding space in Johannesburg for BIPOC fems and queers @ustheythemstudio).
Somehow I missed that we both were raised very rural and were influenced by punk, skateboarding, and hard drugs. (Big city kids in the making for sure). Joy’s patterns resonated with me right away (they also choose to work by hand with the body and are very much trauma informed).
I sincerely appreciate dear friends making time to engage in this project together (somehow this container deepens my sense of our connections).
Thank you!
Ty Wardwell (they/them) - Berlin - 2022 @tinyasspaintings
To this day I still remember how Ty claimed space for themselves easily that I wasn’t yet stepping into (even in Berlin queer meetings). Some months later we rode clear across town in the summer swelter to the lake for a swim (of which is their happy place as is FKK and at the time ice cream). I was starting to ask dear friends to shift from using no pronouns to gender neutral pronouns for me (Ty calmly said “yeah absolutely, if tomorrow you want them to be blue and the next day green, just let me know!”). This really blew my mind and was a huge step towards cultivating inner wellness (these demonstrations of compersion hold me safely in Berlin with my chosen family).
Make sure to take a dip into their creative practices on film as writer and performer under @cutenonfilms with art partner @ethfol
Thank you!
Franz Kratochwil (he/him) - Berlin - 2022 @franz_kratochwil
My lovely friend Franz came on the show today as the rain let loose in Berlin (we were both wearing our Mother Nature hoodies by no surprise).
Acupuncture had been something that I avoided out of fear until my hand gave out from tattooing 4 years ago (Franz came highly recommended by a fellow and has been treating me ever since).
When Franz buzzed up today Joni was preparing to smother Andrew at the door and ran into the hallway (giving him a confused welcome but calming down as we settled in). Joni barked a few times through the episode to warn us that there were people coming up the stairs (it was the first time she was home during a recording of the show I believe).
Thank you!
Sabina van der Linden (she/her) - Berlin - 2022 @bohemienine
I landed in Berlin in 2013 and Sabina was someone who stood out in recovery (we co-chaired the Thursday NA meeting which was my first real group commitment). Over the years we have been in orbit in a number of fellowships (we have attempted creating a few hybrid fellowships along the way).
Her story always makes me wonder how she is still with us today arriving in 1979 Berlin (somehow I have more of the bigger picture now after all these years).
Celebrating the amazing humans around me warms my heart (when I’m showing up for myself their wisdom is with me in everyday synchronicities).
Thank you!
Ant The Elder (they/them) - London call - 2022 @anttheelder
I had the chance to catch up with Ant yesterday sitting in our respective homes. Last week I jumped the gun with excitement and was all read to dive in but a week early.
We first met at Sang Bleu in London and have since been in a tattooers orbit of each other (often meaning making it almost impossible to hang out even if you work in the same studio). Some years later Ant hopped the pond and worked at AKA (where I was gratefully welcomed upon arrival in Berlin). Our intersections are many and continue to deepen individually.
This one was a gem, thank you Ant. See you soon!
Hywel Francis (he/him) - Wolf Creek call - 2022 @hywelfancis
When I first opened the door to welcome Hywel into the studio for a tea, it felt safe and friendship ensured (his Pisces to my Libra was almost palatable even back then as I understand myself now). So very grateful that we lined up as Hywel was passing through Berlin to reconnect with lovers and the city (then considering the transatlantic move). Once folks have crossed over into my heart they are welcomed back whenever (he has since guested and barely made it back to NYC as the pandemic hit and most flights were grounded).
In this episode of the show we really dig into our shared intersections (and I always sponge as much up as I can). Upon each visit I have integrated a new life tool (at first - the importance of drinking enough water, then - fasting, and later - sleep hygiene).
Just have a listen!
Lou Andrea Savoir (she/her) - Berlin 2022 @louasavoir
We first met at a wedding of mutual friends out in the countryside of Berlin, (Lou kindly offered me to sit on the family blanket as the wedding was about to happen). This was my first camping-vibes weekend-away ceremony (with a ramp to skate and a lake to swim in). She made the wedding rings as a gift (her range of creative output is humbling to me).
Lou and her partner Julian have been working together as @cascadeberlin and crushing it (seemingly always in the cycle of pre production, on a shoot, or in post). They have released the highly regarded first book on Mark Gonzales (just as Corona swept over the world).
She has been recently awarded Best Director from the International Film Festival for @inthebunker.film (which demonstrates her commitment to fine art and several studio practices). Having managed to make a life happen as a family in Berlin is impressive (while making time for friends and family skate Sundays).
Merci bien!
Joshua Solomon (he/they) - Auckland call - 2022 @jjes.online
When we first met in Auckland it was clear that our lives had those most important connections (some of them came through in the last years but were felt way back then). Often just one episode feels not enough to re engage (but I’ve been promised a long overdue visit this summer).
Check out their modular queer community studio @electricceremony to find out more about how they are decolonizing tattooing, making is accessible for disabled folks, and all things Ratclaw.
See you soon!
Francisca Silva-Pabst (they/she) - Berlin - 2017 LOST TAPES @framacho
We landed on the same page upon meeting for a ritual at the studio years ago now (it’s always a sincere honour to tattoo other tattooers but often nerve wracking). Fra was sent to me from another planet on which somehow we never met before (they had already lived a full life before and after Berlin (fine art, sobriety, queerness, spirituality, all the good stuff).
These days Fra calls NYC home for love and community. Magically, they seem to be always in the right place at the right time (having to push against the patriarchy to be allowed to be themselves, a true raw creative pioneer).
The LOST TAPES are gems for me to revisit. I can’t wait to see you again, maybe a surprise trip soon!
Orne Gil (she/her) - Berlin - 2017 LOST TAPES @g.orne
We met during a very stressful time for Orne in particular (having been living a queer life and tattooing in Cairo). Her dog was stolen the day before I arrived (and somehow was able to get it back, still run the studio, generously host me as a guest, and have a crisis visit from her Mom). I will never forget the wild ride from the airport as we blasted down the highway, windows open, the swelter (let alone the airport experience of itself).
I am really enjoying going back into these times we had in the kitchen. Thanks!
David Schiesser (he/him) - Berlin - 2017 LOST TAPES @ds_008
For a number of years David would come up to Berlin considering making the move from Offenbach (he landed a huge old studio way outside of Berlin that was for painting, tattooing, and sleeping). I couldn’t count how many times he’s visited me by now (even when living in Berlin he would commute south and work here to be in the city energy).
These LOST TAPES have a video aspect from us sitting in the kitchen (one day there might be a good purpose for em’).
Thanks as always.
Dylan North Homer (he/him) - Berlin 2017 LOST TAPES @dylannorthhomer
I first met Dylan while he was engaged in a most impressive and humbling apprenticeship process (with a dear friend @rileytown at @tattoo_union_bc in Vancouver). It’s hard to put it into words how much appreciation for tattooing I feel when I get time with Dylan (who’s truly carrying the torch forward), respecting it’s history and perpetuating radical newness.
Dylan has visited Berlin a few times (I believe more than once over the years before Corona). Since then Dylan and @boonenaka have opened up @for.you.tattoo in Vancouver (their creative energy is unparalleled and really blows my hair back even if I don’t have much anymore).
See you soon!
Mike Mendes (he/him) - Berlin - 2017 LOST TAPES @mikemendes
I first met Mike tattooing in a wildly busy street stop in Toronto that I got a spot at (having fled Vancouver not prepared for winter I got super sick right away). You could tattoo 10 clients a day without blinking an eye (as far as I remember Mike holds the record of 15 somehow).
From Toronto to Melbourne to London to Berlin, we have always found ourselves on the same page (he has the most spectacular travel history always lining them up with tattooing).
Mike is currently visiting Berlin again last minute after a long hiatus (I had just unearthed 2 of his lost tapes we had video recorded in the kitchen). An absolute gem of a human (really jazzed to do a longer format sooner than later!) Thank you!
Spider Death (he/him) - Melbourne call - 2022 @spiderxdeath
From the first moment Spider arrived at AKA an easy friendship ensued (only recently have I come to understand that Pisces for my Libra). We were both raised by punk, drugs, and tattoos as our formative mentors (both of us hitting bottom finally at 23 - me in Canada and him in Australia). Spider has generously hosted me in his Kings Cross flat while I was on tour (between being in Berlin and London a few times it always feels like no time has passed in between).
Having several creative outputs keeps Spidey on track (he recently got 2 years sober after relapsing - having 9 years previously). This time Spider connected with a recovery community, works out regularly, paints and shows work @chinaheights takes care of 2 greyhounds, has moved to Melbourne, tattooing @melbournetattooco is somehow keeping up with lathe cutting punk records for his label @wintergardenrecords and has fallen for a lovely person (who happens to be a fellow tattooer).
So much love, see you soon.
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