honorable mention
Lucas Dragone belgium
title
Akhada
Traditional Indian wrestling isn't just a sport - it's an ancient subculture where wrestlers follow strict rules.
The sport is on the decline, but there are still many akhada left and some dedicated people who are working to keep this ancient part of Indian culture alive.
Born in Belgium to parents with a strong sense of cultural and social commitment, he spends his childhood steeped in an environment that explored the most varied forms of creativity, in line with a particularly difficult local situation.
He studied at the Lassaad international school of theater and worked with the Compagnie Barbiana in Belgium; performing directing and teaching. He also explored theater in Italy and Brazil. After a few years he decided to switch from theater to visual-arts and music as a means to express his creativity. He became Looka Loopa making music videos, documentaries, short films and visual experiments, all inspired by his sincere outlook on life. Giving as much importance to the people and situations filmed as to the style.
In the past few years, he initiated a project of documenting and capturing various forms of theaters from Asia and around the World through his camera. By doing this, Looka hopes to contribute to the documentation of theatre forms, to try and depict the transmission of this cultural patrimony to the next generations by witnessing and photographing the work of Masters, the craftsmanship of the Creators, enter the world of Actors, Artists and Director from preparation to the performance.
Rather than a quest for exoticism., it's an archival work to reflect a diversity that may disappear.
In parallel with his photographic works, Looka is also directing film documentaries around the world.
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entry description
An akhada is a gym for pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling.Traditional Indian wrestling isn't just a sport - it's an ancient subculture where wrestlers follow strict rules.
The sport is on the decline, but there are still many akhada left and some dedicated people who are working to keep this ancient part of Indian culture alive.
about the photographer
Lucas Dragone is a visual artist specializing in photography and videography. His work is distinguished by his clear-eyed and innocent portrayal of people and events.Born in Belgium to parents with a strong sense of cultural and social commitment, he spends his childhood steeped in an environment that explored the most varied forms of creativity, in line with a particularly difficult local situation.
He studied at the Lassaad international school of theater and worked with the Compagnie Barbiana in Belgium; performing directing and teaching. He also explored theater in Italy and Brazil. After a few years he decided to switch from theater to visual-arts and music as a means to express his creativity. He became Looka Loopa making music videos, documentaries, short films and visual experiments, all inspired by his sincere outlook on life. Giving as much importance to the people and situations filmed as to the style.
In the past few years, he initiated a project of documenting and capturing various forms of theaters from Asia and around the World through his camera. By doing this, Looka hopes to contribute to the documentation of theatre forms, to try and depict the transmission of this cultural patrimony to the next generations by witnessing and photographing the work of Masters, the craftsmanship of the Creators, enter the world of Actors, Artists and Director from preparation to the performance.
Rather than a quest for exoticism., it's an archival work to reflect a diversity that may disappear.
In parallel with his photographic works, Looka is also directing film documentaries around the world.
back to gallery
