Michele Baron, After Life18 Images
If there’s one thing we will always have as life gets harder in the face of a recession, it’s the routine of going to the club with friends. Even if you’re not that way inclined, it’s always reassuring to know the option to let off steam is there if you need it. In April, the UK government and London Mayor Sadiq Khan took steps to protect the capital’s nightlife by overturning previously approved council bans on late-night venues. It’s a rare miracle for the misery island of sloggery and strife, but that doesn’t mean the struggle is over for LGBTQ venues.
Photographer Michele Baron is a longtime documenter of joy on the dancefloor across Paris, his hometown, and Berlin. Since moving to London from Italy in 2016, Baron has captured the raw dynamic energy of raves, parties and nightclubs here ever since. “The costs are really high and spaces are scarce,” he notes on the state of current London nights. “But it’s a very important outlet and I think we should really look after what is still here while we can.”
With over a decade behind his 35mm camera, Baron has compiled the highlights of his work into a new upcoming photo book titled After Life, named as such after seeing the subjects in his photos stepping into this other version of life at night, pressing pause on their regular existence when the day comes to a close. Published by the independent SMUT Press, assembled by John Philip Sage and with accompanying text from Davide Meneghello and Nimco Kulmiye Hussein, this hardcover publication features over 250 intimate images of queer, revelling partygoers exploring this duality of the human experience. Many of those featured have formed close-knit bonds as friends or lovers of the photographer himself; a strong feeling of authenticity underpins every shot.
After finishing high school, a friend introduced Baron to the process of developing and printing photos in a darkroom. He took an immediate interest in the medium and the idea of not seeing the end results immediately. “Shooting on 35mm forces you to slow down,” he says. In the era of instant gratification, taking time to hone a craft is a virtue. From there, Baron self-published five zines of these candid evening snaps, grabbing attention on the indie fair circuit for their unfiltered representation of queer celebration.
“Photography is the best way to document society and subculture in its more primal and unashamed moments,” says Baron. Citing the lineage of Nan Goldin and Wolfgang Tillmans as direct influences on his work, his gritty imagery aims to document his community in this familiar tone. “I’ve always been attracted to the characters you meet on a night out, hearing their stories and seeing who they see themselves to be,” he says. In this collection, you’ll see drag makeup, thick eyeliner, bare bums, mesh, leather, and people of all genders getting sweaty and close in the thrall of the crowds at nights including 2CPerrea, Technomate and Homostash.
“Nightlife is a breeding ground for cultural expression,” explains Baron. “Some people only exist within these particular spaces because it’s where they feel safest to express their truest selves.” Known for putting on sold-out Club SMUT nights, SMUT Press is no stranger to creating spaces for their community to explore themselves to their fullest potential. Launched by Jordan Hearns and Jack Scollard in 2022, the print publishing collective aims to spotlight and platform queer identifying artists of varying mediums.
Baron has also notably documented the February rendition of Club SMUT for Vetor Magazine, capturing an array of undeniably well-dressed and tattooed cuties buzzing with excitement in Tottenham’s industrial outskirts. Most recently, his photography was featured in the In Between: A Latinx Takeover exhibition at V&A East, displaying images from 2CPerrea: a night that has a special spot for Baron as he watched it grow from the beginning.
With nightlife facing constant transformation and no two nights being the same, keeping a record of events like these acts as a form of subcultural archiving. From Baron’s perspective, he seeks primarily to capture images that are a lively and genuine representation of the dancefloor. “It’s not really about the party necessarily, but what’s happening under the surface,” he describes, noting that he rarely parties himself nowadays – unless he can bring his camera along to document, of course.
“The moment has to feel real,” Baron explains, when pressed on what he specifically looks for when capturing a moment. “I love seeing people getting lost in these intimate spaces, joyous together, guided by the music.” Having launched at Paris Ass Book Fair at Palais de Tokyo earlier this month, After Life debuts at London’s Reference Point on May 23. “The launch at Reference Point is going to be a special moment,” says Baron. “It’s where most of the people in the book live, so I think it will be a great reception.” Not one to be missed, whether you’ve made a feature in the book or are simply a fan of London nightlife.
Michele Baron’s After Life is available to order here now. RSVP here to attend the After Life launch at Reference Point.
