ARMEN

About me:

Hip hop and its urban environment have created an entire artistic universe and imagery that not many photographers can claim to know as well as ARMEN. This photographer of Armenian descent was never content to remain a passive observer; he has always been, on the contrary, a passionate and outspoken activist. Swept up by the Hip Hop wave that took France by storm in 83, ARMEN was one of the pioneers of the Parisian movement. Break-dancer and graffiti artist, he experiments and tries his hand at just about everything simultaneously. All the while developing a passion for music and taking his first amateur photos, which remain to this day rare accounts of this heroic period. Meanwhile, BMX becomes yet another one of his passions which he also captures in his pictures which are published in all the specialised international magazines.

When Rap took off in the 90's, he began working for the magazine L'AFFICHE and followed closely the beginnings of the French scene to which he had very close ties. Gradually his style matured and established itself as a reference. He was asked to do many a record sleeve (approximately 30 until now) and published regularly in all the specialised press. Artists as well known as JAY-Z and 50 CENT, among others, were impressed by his talent. The former bought one of his pictures for the single "wishing in a star", and DEF JAM later specifically requested him for the press! Moreover, he was the only European photographer (not residing in the USA, at that time) to have one of his pictures published in the collector's book HIP HOP IMMORTALS! His meeting with SEAR (another well-known activist) gave him the opportunity to broaden his repertoire to such renowned magazines as AUTHENTIK and GET BUSY for which ARMEN shot sports personalities, comedians and politicians. The shift exemplified his ability to grow and was a logical step in the evolution of his career.

Always eager to find new perspectives and new means of expression, it's quite naturally that this image-man turned to video. His first steps in this field were with the historic label ARSENAL for which he shot the ROCCA videos "Les jeunes de l'univers" and IDEAL.J's legendary "Hardcore".

Among his video successes, he also shot two clips for the Cuban group ORISHAS, one of which received a prize in South America, as well as clips for ARSENIK and SINGUILA for the multi-gold record label SECTEUR .A and most recently directed the last four videos of french number one rapper BOOBA>

With his enthusiasm still intact after more than 10 years of professional photography, ARMEN is still full of ideas and dreams: photography, video, cinema and music (in which he use to produce beats and drops mixtapes with one of the french top and most respected Dj:JR EWING). Over and above his talent and professionalism, which earned him the respect of his peers, ultimately one characteristic stands out: PASSION!

You can also check his website : www.armenexpo.com