One Question by Future/Memory

What is the One Question I always wanted to ask? Let us find out together. / ONE QUESTION by Future/Memory A long-term interview project. I ask artists, photographers, musicians, writers, and cultural voices one question only. No interviews. No commentary. Each answer stands on its own. An open archive of thoughts, memory, and creative process — shaped by listening. @futurememorynow #onequestionbyfm #onequestionbyfuturememory #futurememorynow

What part of the hardcore mindset is impossible to translate into today’s algorithmic culture? "The mindset of going out on a limb to create something from nothing! The urge to do something without ulterior motives, incentives, or promised rewards. This can only happen when at least two things are present: 1.) Freedom from fear, and 2.) Action despite the outcome. The glue that holds our scene together. I don't see where algorithmically pre-selected options ever spawned that in people. This seems paradoxical to me. Mutual support beyond a ""like"" or a ""share"" on social, but actually showing up and doing something for a fellow HC kid. Be it putting on shows, driving bands, working doors, doing artwork, pasting posters, recording music, letting people sleep at your place, trading, doing a zine, putting out music, cooking at shows, tour managing, working the merch table, producing bands, taking photos, lending equipment, sharing connections, playing music, etc. Taking risks – big or small. All of that makes our scene. And all of that only happens by actively contributing – and not by passively consuming." "Hardcore"" is an action word." – René Natzel Musician & Creative Director, Berlin @iownow_official #renenatzel #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

What lie does contemporary art tell itself most convincingly? Art never lies. Artists do. — Christian Hoosen Artist, Berlin @christianhoosen #christianhoosen #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

Your work blends detailed imagery with abstraction and collage — what does ambiguity allow you to express that clarity never could? Ambiguity is slippery. Ambiguous things slide between words, definitions, and meanings. They are filled with possibility, more questions arise than answers. So, we look longer. It’s like the Zen phrase, „not knowing is most intimate.“ John Kleckner Artist, Berlin @john.kleckner #johnkleckner #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

How does drawing help you make sense of ideas, emotions, or stories? Drawing is a way to think and to understand. I can explore connections between feelings, shapes, and narratives without relying on words. It is not just a tool to represent ideas, but a space where ideas, emotions, and stories are discovered, questioned, and shaped. — Benjamin Jeanjean Artist, Biarritz @benjaminjeanjean #benjaminjeanjean #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

What does living with a photograph over time teach you that the moment of taking it never could? Freezing a moment and making its aura accessible through the captured image feels empowering to me. Being shareable with others nearly eternalizes it. That gives a touch of freedom in the cage of time we are all sitting in. Might be an illusion though… – Tom Palluch Photographer, Athens @tompalluchwashere #tompalluchwashere #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

What fragrance does the future breathe? The future smells like a mixture of tangerine and orange. — Sebastian Zimmerhackl Creative Director, Berlin @hdsht_pink #sebastianzimmerhackl #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

When you work with mythological or ancient figures in your imagery, what part of those stories feels alive in the present moment? They all feel alive right now, the most powerful thing about these figures is that they are always inside of us. They hold aspects of ourselves that run through the ages, that’s why these stories have reached us in the present. — Aristeidis Lappas Artist, Athens @aristeidislappas #aristeidislappas #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

How do you balance documenting the culture while staying true to your personal creative perspective? i leave it to others to document- its rather finding inspiration in it. how can you be not true to yourself? in the end it all unwinds and leaves a trace or smell of others. — Marok / Lodown Magazine @marok_tm @lodownmag @lodownmagazine #thomasmareki #lodownmag #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

What does the space between dream and reality look like to you — and how do you know when an image belongs there? The artistic gesture is the between-space where the divine becomes visible not through explanation but through presence. — Jaybo Monk Artist, Berlin Jaybo Monk #jaybomonk #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

Humor appears subtly in your work — what role does wit play in helping people engage with difficult or abstract ideas? I try to make my drawings fast to understand, like a T-shirt that you see on someone walking past you on the street. I think humor is the hardest thing to create, especially fast humor that you can see, understand, and laugh at all in a few seconds. Or just be something interesting that makes you think. That’s my goal with everything I create: an amuse-bouche for your eyes and brain. Brendan Lee Illustrator, Reno Nevada @brendan #brendanlee #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory

If your music could leave a single lasting impression in someone’s mind, what would you want them to feel? LOVE! (Loved and loving) — Samon Kawamura, Musician & Producer, Berlin/Tokyo @samonkawamura #samonkawamura #onequestionbyfm #futurememorynow #onequestionbyfuturememory