Tropical Stoemp is a photography review, by photobook/magazine publisher Le Mulet (Belgium), beautifully designed by Studio Dirk. It exclusively features photographs, telling a long story through multiple artistic voices rather than individual portfolios. Each of the issues is organised around a theme provided by a song. This time, it was Leonard Cohen’s "You Want It Darker," written by the elderly artist just before his passing, as he prepared to face his creator. The song, and consequently this issue of Tropical Stoemp, explores deep existential questions and an ambivalent relationship with God, culminating in the Hebrew phrase "Hineni, hineni" ("Here I am"), signifying a readiness for what's to come. It delves into the darkness of the world while simultaneously searching for light, contrasting modern avoidance of death with historical post-mortem photography. The publication truly offers a unique exploration of the transition between existence and eternal sleep.
"We all wear masks. At Halloween, Mardi Gras. At work we are one person, at home, another, and with friends we have yet more masks to choose from. We're looking for images with masks, literal and figurative, color or BW, analog, digital or antique processes, photographers of all skill levels and locations are welcome."