The archival visual threads running through the magazine incluse “a squirting cucumber, an ancient Greek fertility statue, and a young Björn Borg looking at you excitedly, holding a small present,” Merel says. The creative director collaborated with Kees de Klein for these odd yet cohesive images, pulled from his own personal archive, alongside Torbjørn Rødland’s portfolio of images. Kees also shot portraits of Feeld members for the magazine’s meet cute section, which he described as “like going on eight different dates”, Merel says. Each image brings the energy of the individual to the forefront. Member Jon, listed as into threeways and exploration, is pictured by Kees lying cross-legged on his bed, cool, aloof and decked in shades and trackies. Maurizio, a drummer, speaks on the euphoria of mastery and has his portrait taken behind his drum set as he stares intensely into the camera.
All of these elements merge together beautifully for this indie magazine born from an indie dating app. The magazine is communally-made and drawn from prompts sent out within the app environment – the dating landscape is made odd, and perhaps that’s a good thing. Queering our connections seems to be cardinal for AFM, and it’s further proof that sincerity and exploration through printed matter is here to stay.
You can purchase issue two of AFM here.