© Francesco Giordano, 2022
Federico Bruns (he/xier)
Federico paints with oil on canvas and writes poetry. In his art, he processes his emotional worlds, but also conflicts and experiences with the people around him. Federico likes to use bright and vivid colors, thus creating contrasts to subjects that are otherwise serious and painful. In one of his latest creations, you can recognize a human heart, abstracted and embellished with textures, patterns and many small details. “In my poetry, I always write about the Virgin Mary. For me, Mary is synonymous with various people, subjects and objects.” Federico loves to provoke when he combines religiousness with sexuality, thus bringing his queer identity out into the open. “I do enjoy showing that I'm gay. But in the end, it shouldn't matter who or what you are.”
The pandemic has changed Federico for the better. “By suddenly having so much time on my hands, I also started to do some introspection.” Before the pandemic, Federico was stuck in his routine, going to a different party every weekend. “I finally had time to finish projects and expand concepts. I've also become a bit more mature, a bit more responsible and I'm also much clearer now about what I want to do in the future.” Federico knows his way around the Munich rave scene, he appreciates its friendly atmosphere and the fact that you always meet someone you already know. “People are becoming more open and brave. Also in terms of fashion. I always feel comfortable when I go to a rave in Munich. Even when I feel like wearing a dress – no one makes fun of me there.”
Federico was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the Allgäu region of Germany at the age of nine and has now been living in Munich for seven years. “I already knew some people in Munich before I moved here and they also helped me to settle in here.” Federico is a big fan of Munich. “You’ve got everything here that you need. Many people complain that Munich is boring, stuffy and conservative. I think it's important that people like me stay here anyway, showing that Munich people are open and friendly towards what's different.” Federico likes to dress more flamboyantly and colorfully, engaging in his own personal activism. “I rarely hang out in gay clubs and bars. It's important to me to be in other spaces where everyone is accepted for who they are.”
© Saskia Diez for "Ball" from the Lovers, Styling by Lorand Lajos
For Federico, being queer means having a joyful life, respectful interaction and being accepting and accepted. “I love being queer. For me, being queer is also a life lesson. If I wasn't queer, I wouldn't be as mature as I am now. I’d never want to change my life.” This year, Federico wants to host one or two exhibitions. “Besides my art – painting and poetry – I also love cooking. In the future, I see myself with my own shop where I can showcase my own art but also present my recipes.”
© Francesco Giordano, 2022
Federico Bruns (he/xier)
Federico paints with oil on canvas and writes poetry. In his art, he processes his emotional worlds, but also conflicts and experiences with the people around him. Federico likes to use bright and vivid colors, thus creating contrasts to subjects that are otherwise serious and painful. In one of his latest creations, you can recognize a human heart, abstracted and embellished with textures, patterns and many small details. “In my poetry, I always write about the Virgin Mary. For me, Mary is synonymous with various people, subjects and objects.” Federico loves to provoke when he combines religiousness with sexuality, thus bringing his queer identity out into the open. “I do enjoy showing that I'm gay. But in the end, it shouldn't matter who or what you are.”
The pandemic has changed Federico for the better. “By suddenly having so much time on my hands, I also started to do some introspection.” Before the pandemic, Federico was stuck in his routine, going to a different party every weekend. “I finally had time to finish projects and expand concepts. I've also become a bit more mature, a bit more responsible and I'm also much clearer now about what I want to do in the future.” Federico knows his way around the Munich rave scene, he appreciates its friendly atmosphere and the fact that you always meet someone you already know. “People are becoming more open and brave. Also in terms of fashion. I always feel comfortable when I go to a rave in Munich. Even when I feel like wearing a dress – no one makes fun of me there.”
Federico was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the Allgäu region of Germany at the age of nine and has now been living in Munich for seven years. “I already knew some people in Munich before I moved here and they also helped me to settle in here.” Federico is a big fan of Munich. “You’ve got everything here that you need. Many people complain that Munich is boring, stuffy and conservative. I think it's important that people like me stay here anyway, showing that Munich people are open and friendly towards what's different.” Federico likes to dress more flamboyantly and colorfully, engaging in his own personal activism. “I rarely hang out in gay clubs and bars. It's important to me to be in other spaces where everyone is accepted for who they are.”
© Saskia Diez for "Ball" from the Lovers, Styling by Lorand Lajos
For Federico, being queer means having a joyful life, respectful interaction and being accepting and accepted. “I love being queer. For me, being queer is also a life lesson. If I wasn't queer, I wouldn't be as mature as I am now. I’d never want to change my life.” This year, Federico wants to host one or two exhibitions. “Besides my art – painting and poetry – I also love cooking. In the future, I see myself with my own shop where I can showcase my own art but also present my recipes.”