Photographer #9: Knu Kim
KNU KIM
MADRID, SPAIN
40.4168° N, 3.7038° W
@knu.kim
1. Please give us a quick introduction to yourself.
Hi, I’m Knu from South Korea, the 2nd biggest city called Busan. But I’ve been living in Europe for the past 12 years. I am running a small footwear brand Paracia, also working as a design strategist and teacher. But what I like the most is taking photographs.
2. Were you visiting the place/country or do you live there?
I moved to Madrid in 2013, I would say this is my 3rd home—my 2nd home was Frankfurt am Main in Germany.
3. What can you tell us about the people in the shoot?
I got to know Félix through another friend who helped me with the photoshoot. He is a true Madrileño, I said ‘yes’ in 2 seconds when I first saw his photo. I just fell in love with his authentic and charismatic look.
4. Where did you do the shooting? Why did you choose this area?
We did the shooting in the 3 different neighborhoods in Madrid—Mercado Anton Martin, Plaza Olavide and Entrevías. We wanted to project authentic Madrid and avoid the cliché images that people have about Spain.
5. What are your favorite spots in this location?
Like other metropolitan cities, Madrid has become home for people from everywhere for decades. So we wanted to reveal different aspects of Madrid, not only the areas that maintain Spanish heritage but the ones that have been a shelter for immigrants like me. You can know more through the video that we recorded during the shooting.
6. What photographer/artist influences your photography?
My all-time favorite is Saul Leiter, and I love Jack Davison’s work among contemporary photographers. I found them more like painters, they project their own visual perspectives through elegant and stunning images, regardless of the subject is beautiful or not.
7. Famous last words – what would you like to share?
What an amazing and smart initiative from AKOG, kudos and deep appreciation from my side. This is another proof that makes your brand stand out from others!
Additionally, Knu partnered up with his friend and videographer Jaime Venegas (@jaimevenegas ) to bring the project to life with moving pictures. The result is definitely the cherry on the top. But see for yourself!
