Mehdi, Pedro, Thomas & Friends - Paris Social Club 2011
First edition, limited to 25 copies + 2 artist’s proofs.
Details
- Titled, numbered, and hand-signed by the photographer
- Pigment ink print on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 315 g paper
- Comes with a certificate of authenticity featuring a unique hologram guaranteeing the work’s authenticity and market value
Sizes:
- 50 × 60 cm, 60 × 90 cm, 90 × 120 cm
Price: upon request
Photographer
Romain Bourven was born in 1977. The son of an astronomer, he grew up surrounded by cameras, binoculars, and telescopes, and began practicing observation at a very young age. At age 13, he learned black-and-white film processing and began shooting skateboard photography. He embraced the digital era in 2003. At the same time, he discovered electronic music in Bordeaux, notably the Ed Banger label and the Toxic parties at Zoobizarre.
In 2006, he moved to Paris. For eight years, he documented the French electronic music scene, notably serving as the photographer for the legendary Social Club, then as a promoter for the Borntofilm parties alongside Mathieu César, and finally for the “Cameroscope” events.
From Paris to Miami, via Los Angeles, Berlin, London, Brussels, and Liège, he photographs the most talented DJs and producers of the moment: Justice, Birdy Nam Nam, DJ Feadz, Armand Van Helden, 2manyDJ’s, DJ Funk, Diplo, A-Trak, and DJ Mehdi, whose portraits appear in the documentary series DJ Mehdi: Made in France.
In 2014, he decided to explore new horizons. Running and trail running became his new passions—and his new subjects for photography.
Behind the Lens
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1 – Hi Romain, how did you feel when you took this photo?
It’s very hard for me to say for sure, but obviously, I’m super excited and swept up in the energy of the moment.2 – Tell us about the vibe behind the decks: what’s the Ed Banger crew’s attitude—their energy, their vibe?
That night, the atmosphere is electric. It’s the Social Club’s anniversary. It’s a joyful chaos: DJs take turns at the decks, everything is spontaneous, and styles blend together. The music takes precedence over everyone’s fame, creating a bond between everyone in the room.3 – Do you remember the song they’re playing at that exact moment in the photo?
Off the top of my head, I’d say Rick Ross – B.M.F., but I can’t be sure.4 – What’s the atmosphere like in the venue: the crowd, the energy, the vibe…?
We’re in “small-scale mode” that night, meaning only the first room is open. The atmosphere is intimate; there are many music industry figures in attendance and plenty of regulars. Everything feels spontaneous: all the ingredients for a great party are right here.5 – How does this atmosphere influence you when you take the photo?
As is often the case, my approach is completely relaxed. I shoot off the cuff, without overthinking anything. I’m both detached from myself and connected to my surroundings. It’s a mix of wandering and searching, just like what I experienced during that time.6 – In your opinion, what makes this image so magical?
It’s not up to me to say whether there’s magic in this photo, but I appreciate it when others say so. I can perhaps describe why it’s interesting and build a narrative around it, but the energy it radiates will be unique to each person. It’s essential that everyone has their own interpretation, their own feelings. My personal interpretation must in no way influence the public’s perspective.
So, the first thing I notice in this shot is the five-pointed star-shaped composition that emerges around Mehdi. There are two lower points formed by Mehdi’s and Lionel de DSL’s arms, the upper point with Pedro’s face, and then the faces of Pone and Lionel. Here we have a constellation made up of four personalities who are all very different, once you get to know them a little.Pedro sets the stage, pointing the way to the stars, as if the magic of this musical energy in the moment were coming from some mysterious place.
Pone watches with fierce intensity, ready to explode at any moment like a top-level athlete whose life consists of being ready all the time, everywhere.
Lionel, endowed with heightened sensitivity, clinging to his bottle and his mic, absorbs the energy to improvise and let himself be carried away by the excitement.
Mehdi, finally, is the link, the connector, the interface between the real and the magical—the result and the origin—faithful to what he has been, is, and will be: a star.Not a star in the sense of being “famous”—though he certainly is—but in the sense of an individual whose very existence illuminates, inspires, and gives meaning to life.
