From the recurring Romanian artist who creates under the moniker lemonboiii, we present their debut ongoing independent series titled ‘Transatlantic.’ The project is being developed in Spain and the UK as a “part of the new wave.”
“It’s about freedom, the freedom to explore and be ourselves […] It’s all about the journey,” says the author. Through the collection of liminal shots bathed in dreamy haze, the photographer introduces us to the essence of youth. The limitless energy for discovery, late-night adventures, and self-expression when different experiences become a blur.
The artist approaches the voyeuristic and exhibitionist culture of social media with a great amount of calmness and a particular mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. A trip through Europe with friends becomes an art project, in which faces are pixelated and portraits are taken in costumes. The cold neon lights of an underground parking lot and the warm glow of the southern sun serve the same purpose, to highlight individuality and hide insecurities. A focus on aesthetic value doesn’t overpower the sincerity of the endeavor. It is after all, ultimately, about freedom.
The way lemonboiii sees it, photography isn’t just an activity, a profession, or a hobby, but rather a lifestyle. While they explore the rebelliousness of youth as perceived by older generations through rich and exhilarating imagery, the artist simultaneously weaves traces of second thoughts, melancholy, and nostalgia into their work. This reminds viewers that maturity isn’t necessarily correlated with age; how much one truly lives is not defined by how much time they have spent on this earth.
“Photography isn’t just the art of light hitting a sensor,” lemonboiii says. “It can also be a lifestyle, a lifestyle of freedom and exploration. Whether it is of locations, people’s faces, or their souls, it doesn’t matter.”
A raw, profound sense of community and belonging is skillfully translated into grainy, warm, and beautiful portraits. lemonboiii showcases their friends’ souls in warmhearted visuals that maintain their wild, defiant spirit. One can think of these images as virtual hugs, with the artist essentially saying, “I know you and I accept you as you are; I hope you think the same of me.” “‘lemonboiii’ isn’t just me, the one behind the camera taking photos,” the artist explains. “The subjects are part of ‘lemonboiii’ as well. We are ‘lemonboiii.’”
Read our “Roots” issue in full
The new theme, born as usual from what the submitted works held in common, is “ROOTS.” Within its pages, we present the artworks, creativity, and inspiration of 60 visual artists and writers from 21 countries around the world. Their diverse voices come together around a shared exploration of the return to where one belongs, the invisible threads of tradition that shape identity, and the ongoing reconnection with nature, others, and oneself.
We’re a team of writers using our craft to spotlight art in its most honest form. RAWGUE. started as a bi-monthly editorial experiment where each issue’s theme is dictated by the submitted work, thus removing editorial bias from the equation and preserving a more raw approach. We focus on all forms of poetry: written, photographed, painted, drawn, and filmed.
