The latest artist to join the #EtniaCollective project which gives voice to emerging talent is Marlen Stahlhuth, better known on Instagram as @lenipaperboats. This German photographer and collaborator in magazines like “VICE” is an artist very passionate about travel and exotic cultures. His Instagram full of explosive color tones and casual style, make Marlen an artist who meshes well with the attitude of Etnia Barcelona.
The German artist has created two pieces for the #EtniaCollective project in which our glasses Bandai Sun PUHV and Lyndale Sun BKGR are the protagonists.
If you want to know more about this promising artist, be sure to check out the interview!
Tell us someone you admire that in your opinion has changed the rules
The Obamas & David Bowie. Which might seem like an odd couple to pick at first but it’s for different reasons. The Obamas were so much more than just the first African American president / first lady but a symbol of change and hope. David Bowie on the other hand did’t just bend gender roles, but also scolded MTV for not playing/showing African American music in a time where almost no other white artists talked about that issue. Not to mention he left us with some of the most amazing looks and songs!
If you had to pick just one color; which one would it be?
This constantly changes so it’s such a tricky one… but I’ll go with the colour of pool water. That rich blue/turqoise that reflects sunbeams.
If there was a movie about you, what soundtrack would we be listening?
Sería un híbrido entre MIA y David Bowie, especialmente “Paper Planes” y “Heroes/Starman”. Admiro la personalidad de ambos artistas y, especialmente, el trabajo de MIA, ya que es muy profundo y habla sobre temas sociales y políticos en vídeo clips sorprendentes que nunca había visto.
Recommend us a painter, writer, filmmaker, designer, musician… People that inspire your creativity.
Uf.. here it comes! Harley Weir, Kristin Lee Moolman, Tyrone Leon, Hassan Hajjaj … it’s mainly photographers as I can relate to their work the most. But when it comes to people I also think Solange, Amanda Sternberg, Maya Matangi & Emma Watson are amazing women I look up to!
If Etnia Barcelona were an artist; which one would it be?
That is hard for me to answer as I feel I don’t know enough artists. I also think Etnia is super divers in the type of shades they have and the styles they go for… but simply reduced on the vibe of the brand. I would go with an artist that is laid back, that enjoys the good things in life, that is positive, impulsive and manages to have a whole room of people listen to only him or her!
What inspires your creative process?
Anything visual. I love discovering small artsy accounts on Instagram, to meet people I think are incredible look and style wise, or to travel to destinations and find things that I’ve never seen before. The same thing happens with movies, artworks, basically anything I see… therefore loosing my eyesight is one of my worst nightmares!
What do you feel or experience when you are working?
I love to work. I feel weird if I don’t. As I work as a freelancer this also means work and private life mix constantly. I enjoy it much more to edit photos than to go out on a Saturday night. The excitement or rush you get when finishing a project or thinking of a new one and all the possibilities there are… sometimes I would love to clone myself to complete even more projects and learn more skills. I would love to be able to film, make clothe, work on furniture, paint etc. There’s never enough time :D!