Interview: Matthias Vriens McGrath Launches BL33N

Provocation has just met its match. Photographer Matthias and Donovan Vriens-McGrath launch BL33N (pronounced BLEEN) – a Tee shirt line and sexy web-mag destination for all things out of the box, quite literally. Planning to go all out with this new project, the spread of freedom within nudity sit front row center for their new venture as they put “the body” on a pedestal through photography, fashion, and sexuality. After all, he was one of the founders of DUTCH – a provocateur mag from the 90′s. He’s worked on such covers as Details, Glamour, Numero and tons of internationally stemmed publications around the world. In an exclusive interview with me for Smashbox Studios, Matthias speaks loud and clear; His respect for Helmut Newton, the ideas behind BL33N and his photographic vulnerability all connect the Vriens-McGrath adventure to promote freedom…

SMASHBOX STUDIOS: First off, Congratulations! I want to know about ALL the inspiration behind BL33N.

MATTHIAS VRIENS-MCGRATH: Thank you! BL33N has been in the making since I stopped making DUTCH Magazine. I got bored working for magazines at times. I have always been a firm believer of creativity and I guess BL33N is my very own little pony.

SB: Will you have contributing editors for BL33N? Wink Wink!!!
MVM: Not for this first issue, but onwards we will be working with some really exciting people!

SB: I’ve followed your work and this project, visiting the site to see that awesome sexy promo you had up. What will your followers find once you launch tomorrow?
MVM: Since BL33N is a collection of really great images that will continue to grow as we move onwards, we’ll have a lot of photographers, artists and other collaborators involved. Also, we encourage people to send in pictures of themselves – hopefully as naked as possible! We’ll also feature our T-Shirt collection with a link to our store.

SB: Your outreach with this venture is pretty loud, clear, and to the point. Can you tell me some of the successful (and easiest) tiers in the process of formulating the project into its fruition?
MVM: I have worked with my husband Donovan on just about every aspect of this launch issue of BL33N and that has brought forward some interesting dynamics. I do not know a lot of people that spend 24/7 together, as we certainly do. We shoot, edit, work, design, eat, fuck, and sleep together – and do a great job at all of it while having a blast…that’s a pretty intense life…like, you cannot believe.

SB: I know that pre-production is a whole lot of work – what are some obstacles during this time that you overcame and learned from?
MVM: I would have hoped to start things way earlier than we thought we needed to, but in the end, all gets done and I must add that I am always surprised at how much creativity comes out under a fair amount of stress!

SB: Timing is everything when it comes to bringing something to life, and on that, do you have anything else in the works that everyone can look forward to?
MVM: Are you talking about the fabulous hand made fur hats that I’m working on for BL33N?

SB: Handmade? Haute! I have a vintage fur Adolfo hat that I call the trophy – and now I want to see how you create the BL33N hat. Let’s talk sex and creativity. Your photos and outlook proudly exude both of those things. Do you have a ‘set ritual’ (so to speak) that you maintain or abide by each time you shoot?
MVM: Thank you! As far as a ritual, I guess I do not have one. I like people and if they like me, good stuff or ‘juju’ as you call it comes out. Sometimes it doesn’t happen and the ramification of that is really drippy pics.

SB: Tell me three things that BL33N will have that no one else does.
MVM: A stunning site with an annual super slick print. Male and female nudity, without being gross but instead open minded about the body. Amazing T-Shirts available on there and at Collette Paris! I’m adding a fourth – A free download of Casey Spooner’s new song.

SB: I’ve been itching to ask this question, but I save the best for last – Favorite photographer?
MVM: That is not an easy one. While having dinner with June Newton, she said that when Helmut went down, so did all of it… And as much as I like to disagree with her, she’s kind of right. Right now, Photography (digitally speaking) is moving into something that is vastly different from how we have perceived photography in the past – and I embrace it and welcome it. Simultaneously, I hate it. I have never seen so many boring, horrid pictures in my life as over the last couple of years. Great photographers that I’ve seen take brilliant photographs are now producing absolute barf. For sure more in the U.S. than in Europe, unfortunately. Demand frigidity ruled by accountants – now that is a shame.

SB: Barf?
MVM: Yes, and that includes my own work, at times. Well often. Lately almost always but with the exceptions of commercial, corporate, and editorial structures…

…But to really answer your question: I love pictures that I find on the weirdest sites, amateur pictures, pictures from mothers of their kids that are sweet, weird art works. Ditto for pics one might find on sex sites and blogs. Photos of rugs or an interior decorator in New Orleans that chats about his obsession on early Baroque. You can’t help but find astonishing beauty and magic just about anywhere…

… And I guess Tierney Gearon shoots a pretty amazing pic.

*CONGRATS AGAIN, MATTHIAS AND DONOVAN!*