The vibrant streets of Brussels, known for its rich tapestry of art and culture, became the muse for the budding photographer Laura Brunisholz. Having moved from Paris, she found herself enamored with the tight-knit music community of Brussels. “When I was studying art in Belgium, I quickly learned that the music scene in Brussels is small,” she reflected.
By 2018, Laura began her artistic journey, delving into the world of musicians, capturing their raw emotions and intrinsic stories. “I’m interested in creating stories around musicians and shoots, for all my photos,” Laura stated. Her mission was clear: to form narratives around these artists, and by simply reaching out to bands, she began framing stories that resonated on both a personal and universal level.
Her move to New York City in 2022 only expanded her horizons. Laura’s craft evolved, as did her subjects. From the diverse pool of talent that NYC has to offer, to the DJs that grace The Lot Radio in Brooklyn, she started exploring the world of lo-fi cameras, flip phones, and DV cam footage. With every snapshot, Laura was carving out a niche, capturing the essence of both local and international artists like ShuShu, Dviance, Dasychira, and Manuka Honey.
Yet, what stands out is Laura’s ability to make her subjects feel at ease. Understanding that many musicians aren’t used to the limelight outside of their performances, she emphasized creating a comfortable environment. “It’s adding a layer of narration and cinematography. It bridges the balance between friendship and professional,” she mused.
Beyond photography, Laura is also venturing into directing. An upcoming project will showcase her collaboration with Latin Grammy Award-winning musician La Favi and DJ Danger Dav, set to release this fall.
A Glimpse into Laura Brunisholz’s Journey
Born in Paris in 1996, Laura’s academic pursuits began with psychology. However, her artistic inclinations led her to the esteemed experimental and interdisciplinary art school ERG in Brussels. Her time there was transformative, marking the start of her love affair with photography and video art. From self-publishing zines to showcasing her work in exhibitions, Laura’s name began to resonate within an international community of creatives.
Laura Brunisholz’s photography stands as a testament to an artist who understands the pulse of modern sensibilities while being deeply rooted in the nostalgic past. At the very core of her work lies a distinctive style, a convergence of disparate elements that seamlessly blend into an enchanting tapestry.
Her penchant for interweaving the instant, ephemeral aesthetics of social media with the deeper, more lasting nuances of high-art is not just unique; it’s revolutionary. This marriage of the transient with the timeless brings forth images that are both immediately recognizable and eerily unfamiliar. It’s as if Laura captures moments that are instantly shareable, those that would be ‘liked’ and ‘retweeted’, and then transmutes them through a lens that adds layers of depth and complexity.
Adding to this amalgamation is her affinity for the grainy, unpolished charm of home videos. The rawness of these visuals, often unfiltered and unplanned, provides an unvarnished look into her subjects’ souls. When viewed, there’s an uncanny sensation of looking into moments that were perhaps meant to be private, glimpses of authenticity that are so rare in today’s highly curated world.
Yet, what truly amplifies the haunting beauty of Laura’s work is her evident love for Americana and Y2K culture. For many, these eras evoke a sense of nostalgia, a recall of simpler times where the world was on the cusp of the digital revolution. By embedding elements from these periods into her photographs, Laura summons a profound sense of longing. The soft neon glows, the vintage motifs, the early digital artifacts — they all transport the viewer back to an era of dial-up internet, early MTV music videos, and road trips set to the soundtracks of 90s bands.
Each photograph, then, becomes more than just an image; it’s a time machine. The viewer is caught in a liminal space, between the past and the present, the real and the virtual. And it’s in this in-between, this ethereal space, where the magic of Laura’s work truly lies. The sensation is almost spectral, as if one is engaging with beautiful phantoms from another era, yet they’re undeniably rooted in the now.
Laura’s association with radio stations, especially her current role at The Lot in New York City, gives her a unique perspective on the music industry. Her photography, celebrated in platforms like Tank TV, AVYSS Magazine or Not So Difficult Magazine, portrays the intimacy of her relationship with her subjects.
The Lot Radio: Brooklyn’s Musical Gem
Nestled in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, The Lot Radio operates out of a distinctive shipping container, bringing to its listeners some of the best DJ sets from NYC and beyond. An independent online radio since 2015, its public outdoor space offers a relaxed atmosphere for music lovers.
The Lot Radio has hosted musical giants such as Nina Kraviz, George Clinton, and Four Tet. It’s not just a place for music but also a communal hub, where visitors can sip on coffee or enjoy a beer.
To delve deeper into Laura’s world and the vibrant Lot Radio, explore the following:
- Laura Brunisholz’s Portfolio
- Instagram: Laura Brunisholz
- The Lot Radio
- Shop at The Lot Radio
- Instagram: The Lot Radio
In a world saturated with images, where every moment is snapped, stored, and shared, Laura Brunisholz’s art stands out as an evocative reminder of the power of nostalgia and the enigmatic beauty that can arise from blending the old with the new.
