The Paris Academy Through the Lens of World-Renowned Photo Cooperative Magnum

In October 2015, Red Bull Music Academy traveled to Paris for its annual music conference and festival. Partnering with globally esteemed photo agency Magnum, the Academy invited award-winning photographer Jérôme Sessini to embed at the event and document the experiences of the participating artists, who had been selected from a pool of thousands of international applicants. Sessini has built his reputation as a documentarian of conflict, from the U.S. invasion of Iraq to the conquest of Mogadishu by Islamist militias, warring Mexican drug cartels and the revolution in Ukraine. Given the extent of the political and ideological discord he’s witnessed, perhaps it’s unsurprising that what struck Sessini most about his time with the Academy was the collaborative spirit between artists of all nationalities and approaches to music-making. “Creation is often a solitary experience,” he reflected later, “but the Red Bull Music Academy shows how the act of sharing among artists can break down the barriers between categories, and overcome obstacles to creativity.”

Over the course of his time at the Academy, Sessini held informal interviews with the young musicians gathered there, picking their brains for insights into their focus and goals. “The Academy offers its members a chance to interact with artists from different cultures and draw on their influences,” recalls Sessini. “Sebastian, a Colombian guitar player who’s mostly into rock & roll; Paula, an Argentinian with a mind-blowing voice; Gareth, an Irish techno-modernist. These disparate talents share the same stu- dio, working well into the night.” His photos document both the ephemeral and essential aspects of the Academy experience, from the fiery intensity of stage performances to the verbal and musical communication essential for creativity.