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On 4 March 2007, Michiel Bechir logged first time into Second Life.
For Michiel, people around him are very important, he loves his family and friends, and is always open to new experiences, new collaborations and opportunities to share views and experiences with others.
His father inspired him to work with others, to connect with others and to gain experience from different perspectives, different backgrounds and different cultures.
In his works he play with colors, perspectives and styles. Inspired by other artist, by nature or motives from his travels or sometimes just motivated to experiment and try new things.
Michiel understands art as the deepest human expression, at a very young age he had wished to be a comic artist, at the time he was already creating his own stories.
I see his greatest joy in creating and sharing with others. He enjoys organizing events in his gallery with his creative director Tresore.
I got to know Michiel as a very good listener, he is always clear and precise, factually very friendly comrade.
His events are always planned down to the smallest detail, he not only supports artwork but also musicians and with his wonderful space and opportunity to promote artists, talk to others and make new friends, gives a strong justification for being there.
I am very happy to have made Michiels acquaintance and am looking forward to his new projects and good cooperation that we have always had.
Interview with Michiel Bechir
Michiel,
Your life without art would be…
Michiel: A life with less energy and inspiration. It is an expression of our inner thoughts and strength.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Michiel: From all kinds of sources, from RL experiences. I love to travel, to explore nature, cities and cultures.
I also get inspired by others, it can be a motivation to do experiments and try new things.
What is your work about?
Michiel: It is how I look at the (virtual) world. I like to share my views and experiences with others.
I play with colors, perspectives, styles.
But it is also about working with others, collaboration, doing events with others.
How is the artistic process like there? Do you see an object / person / landscape first and then the idea comes up? Or is it upside down?
Michiel: It can go start in different way: by accident (discovering things I like, are new to me), by doing trials and errors with color settings. I take a lot of photos before i decide to use it for publication.
If I dont like the final result it is never published.
Your mantra?
Michiel: People around me are important. I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends.
I like to meet new people and collaborate with others, during events, taking photos.
Currently, the best place for you in SL?
Michiel: My gallery at Embrace during an event.
A question that moves you right now …
Michiel: Is Second Life a world in which we are more ourselves then in RL, a world in which we can be what we always wanted too. Not limited by the restrictions they experience in real life.
Is there a work of art in your life that particularly impressed you?
Michiel: Le déjeuner sur l’herbe by Monet, The Cry by Edvard Munch & De jobstijding by Carel Willink
What is art for you – now completely independent of the usual definitions?
Michiel: The deepest of human expressions.
Was there a key experience or has the artist profession always been your dearest wish?
Michiel: As a child I wanted to be a comic artist. I created my own stories. It was my wish as a child to become one.
At older age I changed my plans, I had also more and more interests in IT and technology.
What drives you?
Michiel: Interest for others, in their cultures, ideas. I want to learn, listen, enjoy.
Do you feel understood with your art?
Michiel: Sometimes, and sometimes not. And some cases people really give personal feedback on my works. It gives them a feeling, inspiration, reminds them of things from the past.
A couple of my works have a meaning, they can be more serious, for instance the work dedicated to my father who passed away last year.
Do you think that you can make a difference with your art?
Michiel: Yes, but not only with my art but also by working with others, collaboration is very important for me.
I like to work with people in my gallery, Tresore who is the creative director of my gallery, the artists, the guests and others.
Do you think that everyone is an artist?
Michiel: No, but there are a lot of artists in sl.
Do you have any role models? If yes, which?
Michiel: My father maybe, he inspired me to work with others, try to connect people from different backgrounds and cultures.
What does the term art mean to you?
Michiel: Art is a product of our mind and soul.
Are there any topics that you are particularly interested in implementing?
Michiel: In my works there are some elements returning: Asia, nature, colors. I have no strong topics in most of my works, not about political and social topics. I try to unite people, not divide.
What is your strength?
Michiel: I am easy accessible for people I hope, i can listen well.
What was the best advice you have ever received in SL?
Michiel: They advised me to change my avatar a couple of times, and I should do maybe…but at the same time I am very attached to its looks.
Your next projects, exhibitions. Where your art can be seen?
Michiel: Monthly expositions at my gallery and art cafe.
Michiel Bechir Gallery at Embrace & Art Cafe (Sugarland)
Michiel Bechir Bio
“I have started my long virtual journey into Second Life as a photographer in 2009.
First my main motivation was to share the richness of creations of all those different sims, with all their aspects. During my trips I did meet a lot of people from all over the world. They learned me a lot of their backgrounds, passions and interests.
I have discovered the possibilities from all kinds of tools which helped me to improve my captures.
By editing them I try to add a personal touch and feeling.
Experiments with the effect of colors are often done, and more recently I am trying to show the details by working with high resolution photos.”
Michiel Bechir – Facebook – Flickr
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