Say chesse ! Dirk Behlau - The Pixeleye

Inspired by the same challenges that incite risk-taking on the race tracks, Dirk launched himself into the secret territories of Kustom Kulture to capture the feeling, the excitement and the skill of the movement, taking photos of infernal moving machines from days gone by; to capture the sensuality and delicacy of seductive pin-ups inresistibly attractive images; and showing hot rod enthusiasts from all over the world that fleeting moment, that seductive gesture, turning it into the most primitive sensation of photography as an art form. His real name, Dirk Behlau, may not mean anything to you. You may not have even heard of his artistic and commercial alias “The Pixeleye”. But however little contact you’ve had with the world of kustom kulture, I can assure you that, without realizing it, your subconscious knows his work well in the form of images. I am sure that your eyes have been drawn to his exciting photographs many times and have stored them in your brain. Photographs that perfectly reflect all aspects of the hot rod scene and the world of rock & roll. His specialty is to go deep into these lifestyles and reflect them from within with total respect, without absurd or forced theatrical features or setting up the fake circus-like scenes that we have become so used to seeing. His vision is absolute and real. The game of dark and light shades, black and white, at deep angles in his images captures the emotion of the golden years of the most exciting hot rod and drag races, creating a striking impression ofspeed through the use of perspective. Any moment that reflects power, speed, high octane and aggressiveness is a source of inspiration for his pictures, thanks to his passion for speed racing and modified cars. During his sessions with customized vehicles together with sensual girls, he always knows how to make a perfect connection between the singularity and personality of the machine and its seductive character using suggestive and well-styled pin-ups. The famous Zoë Scarlett and the exuberant Maureen Van Mortis count among his muses. Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1971, Dirk started his artistic career at the age of six, when he won his first painting competition. While he was at High School he designed logos for local bands and events, and there started his passion for art and design. During the early 90s he focused on painting and sculpture, but at the end of the decade he dedicated his talent to professiol nal graphic design. He started working for a company that designed websites, software and logos. In 1999 Dirk started up his own design studio “Pixeleye Interactive” and dedicated his time to graphic design and photography for important brands such as Canon, Burger King, Toyo Tires, Sony Playstation, etc. But what he loves most in his professional and artistic career is touring and photographing hot rod and custom car shows, and rock concerts. This has turned him into one of the most famous kustom kulture photographers, and he is well-known not just in the European scene, but also on the other side of the Atlantic. His work has appeared numerous times in the biggest magazines in the sector: Old Sckool Rodz (USA), Car Culture Deluxe (USA), Rebel Rodz Mag. (USA), Garage Mag. (USA), Kustom Garage (France), Dragracer Mag. (Ger.), Fuel Mag (Australia), Brit Chopper (UK), etc. to name but a few. But what has brought him the biggest acclaim are his two books: the first, Speed Kings and the second and recently published Hot Rod Empire Inc. Both are a trail of photographic portraits of the modern European hot rod and kustom kulture scene, a tour round the main old sch-ool hot rod shows, punk rock, rockabilly and psychobilly concerts, portraits of pin-ups and a general reflection of the people and lifestyle surrounding today’s world of traditional hot rodding. But Dirk, not satisfied with this, has also created his own line of products called Pixeleye Racewear, his own brand of beer Pixeleye Supercharged Beer www.hotrodbeer.de and his own online store selling his The Filthy Rats products www.thefilthyrats.com. Make sure you check out his website www.pixeleye.de.

Fonte: Custom Garage Magazine