- Find Andja Lorein exclusively dansNormal Magazine n°1 and n°6 -
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
How did you come to be a model?
At the beginning, it was my mother who pushed me because she herself would have liked to be a model when she was young, but her choices led her elsewhere. When I was 19, I went to Paris for 6 months, then I stopped everything because I wasn't ready, I wasn't strong enough. It was at 27 that I decided to take over everything 100%, because finally a passion was born, as evidence.
Why agree to do nude?
The nude for me has never been a problem or a taboo. I grew up naked, my parents did not hide to go to the shower, in short, for me the naked is natural and does not have primarily a sexual connotation. The first pro photographer I worked with very quickly understood that I was comfortable naked and that I gave an authenticity and purity in the photos that would be spoiled if I was dressed... My first photos were therefore very quickly followed by others, and each time, the nude came back because it suits me very well...
Being a model is being an exhibitionist?
I believe that in essence being a model is wanting to be seen, so I would say yes. Then comes the question of how do you want to be seen...
Do you have canons of beauty, aesthetic canons?
There are several yes, I believe that the women I find beautiful are those in which I partly recognize myself... There is Doutzen Kroes for example, but also in another register, Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett. These are women who exude a lot of femininity, but also strength, and these are my two main characteristics!
My worst experience?
Difficult to identify a single experience but it is very unpleasant when a photographer physically tries to take advantage of you!
The best ?
The best are when I make beautiful images with photographers who are also my friends... Because we really share something, which materializes in Art...
Your main character trait?
I would say Pure ... I have many facets, but despite my experience and my maturity, I am a pure child who sees the good everywhere, I believe that is what dominates in me ...
The one I'm least proud of?
I'm a perfectionist so I always find myself little aesthetic flaws, but as I get older I accept myself more and more and find a beauty in every part of me, like something to talk about... I'm not really proud sometimes to be so greedy and not to be able to reason with me, but that's not so bad!
What is your relationship to the body and with your body?
For me the body is our vehicle on Earth, it is our only access door to all that we live, our emotions, our thoughts, our senses... The body is a very precious tool and a magic machine that hides unsuspected abilities. I try to take care of mine as much as possible, despite the parasites that can prevent me... Since I was a child, I have been interested in health and beauty, so I can say that my body is my priority ...
How do you view the modeling world today?
Modeling is a very difficult environment, very thankless. As a model we have to respond to marketing needs, due to fads and over which we don't really have any power, at least not directly. If we don't have perspective on our body, on ourselves, we can suffer from successive and brutal rejections. But ultimately it's a very nice school to learn how to transform superficial practices into deep and initiating experiences...
How do you view photography? What are the aspects that still fascinate you and those that annoy you?
At the beginning I simply saw photography as something aesthetic, and which could allow me to be seen and recognized. Now and more and more I see it as a means of expression. I seek to give meaning to my work, and to communicate on subjects that are important to me, such as freedom, taboos related to religion, the image of women, etc...
What is the limit between eroticism and the nude?
For me the difference comes from two main axes: on the one hand, the talent of the photographer, his quality, and on the other hand, the look that we have on the image. For example, I can look at an image, and see nothing sexual in it, and show this image to someone else who will only see sex in it. But it is very difficult to code the Art, and that would be nonsense in my opinion...
Your favorite pastime?
A good movie at home, a restaurant, a walk in nature, but always with my companion.
Your ideal after party?
There again, no rule, except to be in good company...
Your favorite part of your body?
Hard to say because I find a form of beauty in every part of my body, along with flaws, but I would say maybe my long legs...
Your last evening?
On the Basque coast, in a restaurant bar called "La Voile Rouge" with my darling, several photographer friends, Frédéric Beigbeder and others...
The most beautiful declaration of love on social networks?
I can't remember the exact words but when people tell me that my images are a breath of fresh air every time or that I have a different way of showing the nude, a way that is not "Pop" . I love when people understand my work! Of course I also have marriage proposals but I already have enough work like that (Laughs)!!!
Your projects ?
I would like to show my freedom more and more by traveling and taking pictures around the world, I would like to go on a road trip with my darling through Europe and the USA. I think to target more and more collaborations because I am aware of my qualities now, which was not the case before... I hope to continue doing what I love, and to make known more and more more my work!