Behind the scenes: Feelings magazine

One of the more experimental titles we included in last week’s list of our favourite photography magazines is the Paris-based Feelings magazine – a ‘visual entertainment’ that asks contributors to create images based around a set theme.

The first issue of Feelings was dedicated to cars, and the second issue, released earlier this year, explores science from a range of visual perspectives. Curious to know more, I caught up with founder Arthur King to talk motivation, musical influences, and why the magazine’s title really is :–) :–(

What’s your background, and how did the idea for Feelings come about?
I work with graphic design and creative direction, and I also used to DJ a lot. In the mid 00’s I had a side project producing mixtapes, and they sold really well. I had a lot of fun working on the visuals and would commission illustrators and artists I loved to do the covers, like Parra, Jordy Van Den Nieuwendijk, Jean-André and Mike Manoogian.

Now that mixtapes and physical music is dead, creating a magazine was a way to continue producing something physical and collaborating with artists I appreciate. Really, I consider the magazine a visual mixtape. Just without music.

All the written text in Feelings is on the back-cover – why did you want to keep it to such a minimum?
I’m a magazine lover and I read a lot, but for my own project I really wanted to focus on a 100% visual experience, something very pure and visually entertaining. I thinks it’s a very simple and basic way of communicating with the reader, which I really like. It’s almost like a children’s picture book. Actually, one of the other titles I had in mind for the project was “Me Likey”.

But you landed on Feelings – how did that come about?
It came from a text I sent a long time ago answering the question “How do you feel?” by “A little bit :–) and a little bit :–(”. And it made me think that those two smileys are actually quite a powerful expression of everything in life. So for me, the name of the magazine is :–) :–( and you can pronounce it “Feelings”.

The first issue was themed around cars and this one is science – how do you choose the themes?
Cars was an easy pick; I was working on a couple of personal projects related to cars and I knew some friends were working on the subject too. So putting it together was quite straightforward. I really wanted to make a first issue quickly and get it out there to showcase what the Feelings project was about.

The science theme is much more personal and it’s exactly where I want to go with Feelings – featuring original and surprising themes that are not already ‘trending’. I currently have the next five Feelings themes ready. But I change them everyday…

How do you approach contributors? Do you commission stories specifically for the magazine, or do you seek out existing projects?
My policy is to publish 100% new content, and I only collaborate with people I really appreciate. I used existing content for one story, ‘Rap & Chemistry’, which is a collection of rap artists’ CD covers that I collected and curated from around the web. I think it’s essential to have original material to be able to compete with the internet.

On your website you also sell a lot of merch, like flip-flops and scarves. Is Feelings an excuse to create anything you like?
I love to have a brand and if I could I’d do millions of other goodies, at least more clothing and some home furniture.

If you had no limitations at all, what would feelings look like, and what themes would you pick?
The themes would definitely be the same! But I’d love to add lots of goodies with each issue, like the Japanese Supreme catalogues from the 00’s where you’d get a scarf or a towel with every issue. I like that generous attitude, but of course it’s crazy expansive. 

Also, as much as I love my contributors, there are some untouchable artists I’d really like to work with, like David Hockney, Miranda July and Taryn Simon for starters.

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