MATE MORO & BORBALA SZANTO
The creative partnership between Mate Moro and Borbala Szanto is so strong, it radiates through their captivating images, balancing the ordinary with the abstract. The photographer and set designer are based in London, however as the pandemic hit the Britt capital, the couple relocated to the South of France. This is where they had the chance to rediscover the beauty of working and living remotely, and also where they captured images for our project, Aeronography.
ANJALI blazer, Fall/Winter ‘20 collection
How did the pandemic change the way you capture life through photos?
We live in London but at the outbreak of the pandemic, we relocated to the South of France where we’ve been ever since. We had spent a lot of time in the past years working on personal projects in this area. It is inspiring, we are full of creative energy when working from here, but the pandemic gave us the push to explore the full potential of life and work, away from a large European capital. We have had a chance to live and work closer to nature and we have really been embracing this shift from our London studio.
How do you adopt consciousness in your personal life?
We have been playing with the idea of what life and work would be like away from a large city. Since moving to the South of France we have had the chance to live a slower and more serene life, closer to nature. Living quite remotely at the edge of a forest we don’t have immediate access to the conveniences cities have to offer. So, the importance of sustainable local supply chains has really taken priority for us. Conscious food choices are inevitably one of the most important ways an individual consumer can reduce their environmental impact and we also love to cook and eat. We have been engaged with a local permaculture farming community to learn the basic techniques and principles of sustainable land cultivation and we are planning to start our own small fruit and vegetable garden next spring that would allow us to produce some of our food staples.
AGATHA drape front dress, Fall/Winter ‘20 collection
How would you define the modern woman?
I think the best way to define the modern woman is by not defining her at all. She is unbounded, free to be anyone she chooses to be without a specific set of characteristics or ideals to adhere to.
YESSENIA bag, Fall/Winter '20 collection
As locations always seem integral to your images, what typically inspires you? Where do you typically gravitate towards, and why do you like this?
At the heart of our image-making lies an interest in playful interactions. We strive to find the right balance between an incidental scenario and a carefully constructed composition. We enjoy documenting aspects of everyday life, capturing intimate and fleeting moments, often in an abstracted way. Hence, we are often drawn to locations, objects, or situations that are closely associated with our day to day life and activities.
How do you define success in your own life?
I would say success is when you feel overwhelming ease and tranquillity while also having constant pulsing energy that makes it impossible for you to stay still. Finding your own rhythm between enjoying the moment and being constantly on the move with ideas and plans is success in my opinion.
In what ways does your creativity connect you together as a couple?
Working together was not a conscious decision but it happened rather organically. We have been working together for about 2 years now, initially collaborating on still lifes and projects requiring set design but gradually thinking together has become integral to our work.
The best thing about working as a duo is that we each bring a different approach to image-making. It is a bit like having an extra set of eyes, a complementary extension of your own. We like to say that we are stronger as a team as more insight always elevate the initial ideas and push them further to a place we might not have been able to reach if on our own.
Also, as a couple we can relate to each other’s creative thoughts with a deep personal understanding, sometimes knowing what the other is thinking even without words. There is no one better to unpick ideas with. We really enjoy brainstorming together.
ANJALI blazer, Fall/Winter '20 collection
ANJALI blazer, Fall/Winter '20 collection
What does beauty mean to you?
I would say beauty is equilibrium. Whether used to signify internal or external attributes, when things are balanced and in harmony, they tend to radiate beauty.
Photography: MATE MORÓ
Concept: AERON TEAM
Model: BORBÁLA SZANTÓ