Phillip Soven
Having turned professional at the tender age of 11 wakeboarder Phillip Soven can already boast 10 years of experience. At just 21, the Florida native has won nearly every contest he’s competed in and made history as the first rider to win the Pro Tour title, the King of Wake crown and the WWA World Series in the same year. Achieving things that competitors double his age could only dream of, Phillip is showing no signs of stopping. He chats to IDOL about being fearless, competing against his brother and what he wants to do before he dies.


HOW DID YOU GET RECOGNIZED AS FEARLESS WAKEBOARDER?
A fearless wakeboarder huh? To be honest I really don't know how to answer that. I guess it must have something to do with the fact that I have the mindset of always going for it all. I am not happy with second place so I will always go for the win and risk it all rather than play it safe for an easy podium spot.


WHAT IS THE STORY WITH YOUR NICKNAME 'THE ICEMAN'?
Well mostly it has to do with the announcers on tour having too much time on their hands! Just kidding. I am pretty sure, and again I am just guessing from what I hear, I am always focused and I never crush under pressure. In fact I do better under pressure and I don't ever get rattled.


ALSO YOUR BROTHER, BOB SOVEN, IS A PRO WAKEBOARDER, DO YOU SEE HIM AS COMPETITION AS WELL OR DID YOU HELP HIM OUT AS A GOOD BIG BROTHER?
It's a little bit of both. He and I ride together and train at home all year long and at the contest we will help each other with our runs. At the end of the day only one of us can come out on top so there is definitely some competitiveness and it is "what we do" but when its all said and done I guess you could consider us teammates that compete with and against each other.


WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT BEFORE YOU DISCOVERED WAKEBOARDING?
I grew up playing sports so its hard to pick one. I played Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Motocross, Skateboarding, Snowboarding (when I had a chance to get out on the mountain.), and a little bit of - I hate to admit it - but I did the whole inline skating thing, in my defence it was cool back then. Anyway if I guess I would have to say Baseball just because I played it for so many years. I still ride motocross pretty regularly during the off-season and get out the rink and play some pickup games of Hockey.


WHAT ENCOURAGES YOU TO FURTHER AND GIVE YOUR BEST?
I always want more. As soon as I achieve something I celebrate and say "Awesome I did it...What's next?"


SOME OF YOUR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS ARE FROM COMPETITIONS LIKE THE KING OF WAKE, AND THE PRO WAKEBOARD. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT SO FAR.
There have been so many of them every accomplishment is a stepping stone to the next one. Having the first ever undefeated Pro Tour season was a big one for me. But my third King of Wake title this year has had the most impact because of just how competitive and difficult it was to get. This year on tour the smallest mistake could have cost me the title.


WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN?
"No one mentions the guy who did just enough to get by...But the guy who risked it all and came out on top will be remembered forever."


IF YOU WERE TO DISCOVER YOURSELF IN A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD DO?
Probably try to figure out what happened the night before must have been one hell of a party!


SOMETHING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT.
My iPhone.


WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS TIME?
Hopefully (knock on wood) still competing and at the top of the ranks in 5 years I will still only be 26. After I am done wakeboarding though I am really interested in starting my own company but that's all I am going to tell you about that you'll just have to wait and see.


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE DYING?
Visit space, also take a ride in a Blue Angels jet (see question 14)


WHO IS THE PERSON YOU HAVE LEARNT THE MOST AND WHY?
My dad. Although throughout my childhood and career there have been literally 100s maybe 1,000s of people that have impacted me and shaped what I am today.


WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN YOUR NEXT LIFE?
ME. I have been given an amazing life and to ever ask for anything more in this or a next life is just selfish. For now I'm just gonna keep living this one....or maybe a fighter pilot because let’s be honest what's more bad ass than a fighter pilot...

Interview by Katre Laan 
Intro & edited by Emma Hurwitz

Published in IDOL magazine online version:
http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-interview/phillip-soven

The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2011

Acclaimed as one of the world’s most prestigious awards, The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize is celebrating its 15^th year. Its aim to acknowledge today’s international photography talent has established a foundation to photography’s wider role in the society. Organised by The Photographers’ Gallery, the exhibition will be displayed at Westminster University’s gallery space Ambika P3 until 1^st May.

This year’s four finalists are Thomas Demand, Roe Ethridge, Jim Goldberg and Elad Lassry. Their work stood out in the field of reportage and originality. The artists’ work varies from commercial photography to conceptual fiction. American Jim Goldberg was already part of Magnum’s photographic agency when he photographed refugee groups in Greece at 2004. His project titled ‘Open See’ focuses on people’s suffering and illustrates individual storylines through text and imagery. Goldberg’s great selection of photographs documents the location and draws emphasis on people’s scars, emotions, and how some of the immigrants from … have been tortured.

In contrast, German born Thomas Demand is fascinated by embodying fiction in photography. He is a sculptor by education and works with architects’ and designers creating 3D installations and props for his interior display. The theme draws emphasis on exploring Germany’s social and political life. He stages carefully composed life-size constructions and captures very precise photographs of the models as the end result.

There is a remarkable dialogue taking place between Roe Ethridge’s fine art and commercial projects. The American photographer’s images can be magnetic to see with their thematic and conceptual approach. Each picture invites the viewer to experience the photograph as one. He is playing in the imagery, even storytelling. Without a doubt Ethridge’s work delivers a stunning mixture of editorial and commissioned assignments with a fine art touch.

One of the last finalists, Elad Lassry’s photography unfolds from a playful to uncanny practice. The Israeli artist’s imagery moves beyond photography playing with shapes and abstraction. He is also a filmmaker. At the exhibition he displays discourse between still and moving images of two of his short films. The colourful frames with a bold background emphasise the interesting subject matter.

Since year 2005 the prize awards a living photographer with £30 000 for a distinctive body of work from Europe. It includes projects showed within the last 12 months either in a publication or in an exhibition. Originally set up in London the high profile prize has attracted photographers from all over the world to compete, where some of the recognized previous winners are Robert Adams and Jurgen Teller. The curator of The Photographer’s Gallery Stefanie Braun shares confidently: “The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize gives you an overview of the best of contemporary photography that is around at the moment.” 

Favourite clothing

I bought my favourite fashion item, a white wool tuxedo in spring 2009. It was in a vintage shop in Aldgate, East London. The first inspiration came from my idol, photographer Helmut Newton’s shoots.  At the time I was a photography student at LCC (London College of Communication) searching for clothes for a street fashion themed photo shoot. I found out that strong shoulders were very much on trend in 2009. Even fashion magazine Vogue UK noted that in fall/winter season 2009 ‘it’s all about the shoulder’.

I love this white wool tuxedo so much that I have not had the courage to wear it anywhere yet. However, one day I do see myself wearing it. It may not be always a trend but it is a classical statement piece in my wardrobe. As a ‘tomboy’ I love wearing Converse trainers and jeans on daily basis. This is also one of the reasons why I was looking for a classical piece to enhance my sense of style and share it in my photo shoot. The tuxedo seemed like a missing piece in a puzzle in my photography shoot. Besides I very much liked how it enhanced the character’s feminine side and made the overall shoot look powerful and sexy.

The straight cut, strong shoulders, fine tailoring by Sag Harbor appealed to me for its authenticity in 70s vintage fashion.. Closer research revealed that it has a strong resemblance with Yves Saint Laurent’s tuxedo suit created in 1966. At the time I was very much interested in classical vintage clothing and doing styling for my own photography shoots. I particularly explored various fashion magazines, high street shops, vintage boutiques and weekend markets for my shoots as well as wardrobe. The idea came from looking year 2008 fashion magazines, like Vogue UK and Elle’s seasonal collections. Suits, military coats, the tuxedo jacket all came into fashion in fall/winter 2008 as seen on catwalks.

Further research into fashion history included some of the fashion trends that have been categorized as classical pieces, such as trench coats, white shirts, stilettos and  tuxedos. Previously fierce shoulders were last seen in recession times at 1940s and 1980s. These shoulders made a comeback in fall/winter 2009 fashion shows. I was fascinated to find out that classic black tuxedo first designed by Yves Saint Laurent was rated as an investment buy in the September issue 2010 Harper’s Bazaar UK. According to Harper’s Bazaar editor Lucy Yeomans in fall/winter collection 2010/11, “the emphasis was on simple cuts, quality fabrics and great investment pieces.” This year’s spring/summer 2011 extended tuxedo trend to a new level, simple masculine cut like seen in Stella McCartney’s collection, including Paul Smith’s more modern tailoring.

In history, tuxedo first emerged at late 1800s worn on informal dinner parties. At that time men wore it first but it wasn’t long when women adapted the cut. Military jackets were the first influence for designers in forming a tuxedo for women.  In Vogue UK’s supplement Glamour tuxedo has been illustrated finely: “Dreamt up in 1966 by Yves Saint Laurent, the tuxedo or Le Smoking is perhaps the most empowering item of clothing ever created for women. With its long, lean silhouette and androgynous style, it didn’t take long for what was originally seen as a radical statement to become a design classic, embraced by the most glamorous women and starring in some of the most iconic fashion photographs-most notably those by Helmut Newton. ” Since then, the rest is history. Women attending chic cocktail parties to prestigious charity events wear tuxedos as a fashion statement. It is also a popular wear at casual events when balanced with a vivid pair of leggings or a sexy fitted dress. While for formal and sophisticated look women in business consider more appropriate look pairing the tuxedo with a pencil skirt or a pair of fitted trousers over a loose blouse. Alternative mix seen with the tuxedo is a pair of jeans and a shirt on top on a casual day or night out.

It is my favourite because if fits well, it is warm, comfortable and versatile. At occasions the tuxedo looks stylish with a pair of heels as well converse trainers. It may not be always in trend but I am happy to have a classic statement piece in a wardrobe. I would imagine wearing it at a dinner party or for edgy club night out. Now I only need to convince myself wear it. 

Berlin: from street side to travel guide:

A new take on an old city

The first time I visited Berlin it took just 3 days to convince me that I must return. That was a year ago and I was an exploring tourist. This time, I was on a mission to describe this unique city. Berlin attracts people from all over the world. It has a vivid artistic culture, a relaxed vibe and delicious street food. I have never felt so relaxed and carefree in a big city before. 

My journey started by looking for opportunities on the Gumtree website. City Travel Review had been recruiting keen individuals from early spring onwards for their summer placements in Germany. Their requirements were reasonable: as long you have a passion for writing, photography or the German language you passed the first round. 

I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that I was one of the last people to get the chance to spend a month in Berlin to practise my journalistic skills. The aim was to produce a guide to Berlin for young adults.

Spending a month in a city is one of the best ways to write a guidebook. I had the chance to explore and invest time in a particular area: food, drink, nightlife, art, culture, entertainment and not to forget history. By joining the local tours you can totally immerse yourself into the place and time.

Most places in Berlin are one of a kind. Whilst discovering the scene I came across many free historical and cultural sites, including the wellknown East Side Gallery (part of the Berlin Wall), German Parliament’s Reichstag and Topography of Terror museum, an insight to world of Gestapo. Even though traditional history museums were not everyone’s cup of tea, a trip to Badeschiff, a swimming pool in the Spree River, was irresistible.

Native German cuisine is strong on meat and pastries but is also strongly influenced by Turkish culture. Imagine a spicy Currywurst served over rich ketchup, often with Pommes frites (French fries). Another must try for exploring travellers is Berliner Weisse, a wheat beer served either ‘gryn’ (green), with a dash of woodruff syrup or rot (red) with a dash of raspberry.

The delicious selection of food is just one highlight of extended afternoon. The best way to discover the secret places of the city is to ask the locals. Our waiter suggested grabbing a beer and heading for a stroll at the one of the many flea markets. Boxhagenerstrasse Platz market in lively Friedrichshain offers unusual and relatively cheap finds; quality vintage bags, books and even furniture.

Most of my free time was spent exploring the contemporary artistic scene. Street art has been a major feature of Berlin since the Berlin Wall was built. In present-day Berlin, the Alternative Tour guides have taken the opportunity to introduce the active and lively urban artistic scene in Berlin for curious travelers.In recent years contemporary galleries have also opened doors for commercial street art, where individuals can purchase a piece of established underground fine art.

The most fun part of my experience was interviewing people from cupcake shop owners to art collectors. Berliners are open-minded and warm spirited. The month long program was fun, exciting and memorable.  We all made new friends, learned skills and improved old ones.  The outcome is unique guide to Berlin for free-spirited travellers like us!

For more information, visit:

http://www.citytravelreview.co.uk/

The travel guide is called Berlin Unlocked and a preview of the entire book is available below:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1556043?alt=Berlin+Unlocked%2C+as+listed+under+Travel

Published in Crow's Nest, University of Greenwich newspaper. March 2011