Ben Hopper
patreon
Tobias Hug 1976 - 2020
🕑 Added 2020-01-14 17:36:48 +0000 UTChello friends (public post),
I wanted to send a quick note to say I'm taking it slow due to the death of one of my best friends Tobias Hug, who passed away on the 9th of Jan.
Tobi was one of my best friends, a musician and much more. in his words: "I’m a singer, beatboxer, choir conductor and ensemble leader as well as a programmer for acappella festival. I was in The Swingles for eleven years and am now a member of Beatbox Collective. I like to organise or facilitate music, teach it and perform it, freelancing, meandering and voyaging around the world, travelling between different vocal events, beatbox festivals etc"
I got to know Tobi in Hackney Wick, my neighbourhood in London, in 2012. We became friends ever since.
Tobi has been fighting stomach cancer for over a year and sadly lost the battle.
I was lucky enough to visit him in Freiburg (Germany) for 4 days just 4 days before he passed.
It's been very sad and I've been crying a lot.
I am sharing my thoughts on my Instagram and personal Facebook, you can follow me there if you wish.
...the work here will be resumed very soon, just needed few days to be with myself, and write few things down. I've also been diving into my archives to find pics and vids with Tobi. I made a post about it today.
Here's some words I published of Tobi yesterday. The picture is the one in the beginning of this post:
the void of your existence
seems to close down on me
like thick grey clouds
the gigs
the parties
the shared friendships
the countless meals we made for each other
the beautiful long deep conversations
intimate vulnerable confessions about our romantic relationships
abstract humorous philosophical ideas of music and beingness
and now, i'm left with
few photographs
videos
sounds
memories
but is this all there is?
no
your life’s work continues
you have touched so many
you have inspired so much
you created, initiated, gathered, curated, art-directed
in half a lifetime, you lived more than many us combined will ever live
countless artists and musicians are now carrying parts of your soul with them, where ever they go, with whatever they do
you’re immortal
your voice will carry on
with your magical bass-vibrations trademark hugs
with your warm beautiful radiophonic friendly so familiar and so comforting low voice
with your kindness and enthusiasm
with your love
you never really died
you’re here, forever, in all of us
thank you for being my friend in this life
thank you for accompanying me in spirit throughout the rest of my journey in this dimension
i will carry you where ever i go
thank you Tobias Rafael Hug
i love you
-
photo: taken in my Hackney Wick London studio, around the corner from Tobi's place, as part of my ‘Hackney Wick Portraits’ project. April 11, 2013.
Comments
Mark Lo
Mate, so sorry to hear of the loss. Thinking of you and his friends and family and sending as much love as you can carry. xx
Creative Chaos Photography
My condolences on the loss of your friend Tobias, Ben.
