In the spotlight this time a conceptual photo series with a strong (a)social character. Ramon Kool talking about his "Looking for a fight" series. A smashing success in our opinion!

How and where did you come up with the idea?
Actually it started as a joke. I basically have only one talent and that is to go wild on hobbies and ideas. But I really do excell at that. I was making a movie with Don Diablo and afterwards we needed to make a photo. I said that it would be fun if he'd pretend to hit me. That picture turned out to be so awesome that I extended the idea to into a photo series.

What is the idea, what do you want to tell people?
The initial idea was to have people beating me up for pictures sake. I took a lot of pictures and the series grew a bit too fast. Since I was photographing a lot of artists already, I decided to clean up the series and continue with artists only. What I want to tell with the series? Nothing in particular. There is no underlying meaning as the demise of society or anything. It is a fun series to make, with a fortune of anecdotes. The series turns out to be very popular on the internet and beyond, a fortunate effect.

What made you choose black and white?
I always wanted to make a black and white series, and it fitted the subject. In this case it is rather practical too. Since I am in the photo myself, someone else (usually just someone who passes by), has to make the picture. I choose the settings and they shoot. I can tell many anekdotes about just this aspect of the project... Not everyone is handy with a camera, and the black and white gives me just that little bit extra to tweak the results.

How do you find your quarrellers?
As a stand-up comedian I find myself in places where there are more artists, so that's one way. When escorting I usually meet other artists too. Or I try and meet them after a concert or performance. Sometimes it happens coincidentally - Van Dik Hout for instance I met in a pub. The fact that some really well known people have cooperated already really helps to convince new artists to join in.

How do you operate? May the troublemakers decide for themselves how they throw themself at you?
Everyone may decide for themselves indeed. I do help them out though because it's difficult to be creative with so many things done already. There are after all only so many ways to get struck ;)

How many pictures are in the series at this moment?
I believe there are about 120 photographs online, and I still have over 30 photos to add. All in batches. I show them both at www.ikzoekruzie.nl and www.facebook.com/GaveShit because I can interact better at Facebook.

When would you consider the series to be completed?
Never! Haha, why should I? It is really simple. I do not go out and find people, I find myself in situations where they happen to be as well. And if I meet someone I want in the series and I happen to have my camera with me, why not?

Photos © Ramon Kool

www.ikzoekruzie.nl

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