Rubik anja

modeling as a political platform

portraits by JUERGEN TELLER
interview by OLIVIER ZAHM

OLIVIER ZAHM — You have to admit, this is quite rare. Models are not usually famous for being part of the political scene.

ANJA RUBIK — I think that’s changing. Back in the day, models were just pretty pictures on a piece of paper. You could never find out anything more. You couldn’t know what they actually believe or stand for. And now, social media has given them a voice. I’m new to social media. For me, it’s not something completely natural because I grew up with this idea that if you admire someone, you kind of want them to be untouchable, unreachable. Like an enigma, you know? Nowadays, the trend is the opposite — everyone wants to be the girl next door.

OLIVIER ZAHM — Do you mean that social media changed the status of models?…