Maxime Ballesteros
There can be a sort of absolute, sheer curiosity one has for a place one has never set foot in before.
I set up points more or less randomly on the GPS, more interested in the journeys than the destinations, spending most of my days on the motorbike, never really arriving anywhere I had planned to. Meeting up with friends that have been here all their life or for years, asking them too many questions and listening to their stories. Taking the long routes and getting lost.
The night would fall out of nowhere, suddenly, early, striking me by surprise every single day. Potholes and stray dogs are harder to spot, but the fresh breeze would make up for everything. Riding faster into the night just to get a bit more of it. Coming back from North-Tegallalang, Semarapura, Virgin Beach or West-Mengwi to Ubud long after dark was pure joy.
Roads becoming paths so small, only the two wheels of the bike could fit. On the way back from Uluwatu we follow these kids flying their kite on the scooter, hearing their laugh through the engine noise, as they are zigzagging home. Figures lit up in silence through the electricity cables in Sukawati.
And a tokay says goodnight as the subtle sound of the jungle rock me to sleep.
Maxime Ballesteros was born in Lyon, France. After studying in ERBASE (the Fine Art School of St Etienne, France), Maxime graduated in 2007 with a DNSEP (master diploma of art). His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in France, USA, Belgium, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Slovakia and Denmark. He works with publications and clients such as 032c, Purple, Art Forum, Louis Vuitton and Nike. He has been based in Berlin from 2007 until 2020 and is currently residing in the South of France.