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Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Simon Larbalestier
By Spraygraphic | March 9, 2010
Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Simon Larbalestier
SG: Please tell us about yourself. Where do you currently live and work?
SL: I graduated from the Royal Collage of Art in London in 1987 and immediately got together with Vaughan Oliver to work on the Pixies five original albums. I brought my family up in London and I have been in SE Asia since the end of 2001. I returned to the UK last May to complete the Pixies Minotaur Project with Vaughan and update my own personal image archive. I plan to return to South East Asia later this year to complete projects in Cambodia and Vietnam.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
SL: I work in b/w film and digital RAW capture
SG: What kind of equipment do you use?
SL: Over the years I’ve pretty much owned the whole gamut of cameras from 10×8″ down to half frame, buying and selling different systems as my work evolved. I’ve now pared it down to fairly a minimal working kit:
For 35mm b/w film work I shoot with a Hasseblad Xpan and Leica MP and M6’s. For larger 120 work I use the Fuji GW690 III and Plaubel Makina 670. For digital capture I use the Leica M8.2 and M9 as well as a pair of Ricoh GRD’s the Mark 2 and Mark 3. The latter are tiny and easy to carry everywhere. The most interesting camera I think is the M9.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
SL: I’d say it’s largely intuitive I can usually pre-visualise how I want the subject - matter to look I see subjects and I respond accordingly. How the images will be seen in there final form usually influences my choice of equipment and then each has it’s own unique work flow method. If I shoot film but I know it will end up printed in a book, magazine or on the web then inevitably it’s going to involves some hybrid work flow process where the film negative is scanned and then taken through digital post processing. I have a show coming up which is just photographs so this will be an entirely darkroom led process much like it was for me several years back. If it’s RAW digital capture then the entire process takes place on my monitors. I have no fixed way of working the trick for me is to keep it fluid!
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something or simply uninspired?
SL: I don’t usually find myself being blocked creatively there are always things to inspire me!
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
SL: The development of digital photography and the growth of the internet has had a huge impact on the way I work and interpret the world I choose to live in. I find myself straddling two worlds; analogue and digital and I can see a creative potential in both for my work. I am very interested in the process of collection of objects and how they relate to people’s own personal lives. I’m also drawn to decaying empty architectures and landscapes - traces of man that re slowly being erased by time.
SG: What do you look for when you are picking subjects or models to work with? Is it a physical feature? Personality? Photogenic? etc…
SL: Physical features is always a key starting point for me, also things that look odd and out of place. There are many recurring themes that permeate my work some of them are: decay, isolation, emptiness, faith and the religion.
SG: Do you bring your camera with you everywhere with you or do you leave it home when you go out on the town?
SL: Not when I’m in the UK but when I’m in SE Asia usually I’m always carrying one camera if not two…..
SG: Where has your work been seen?
SL: Over the years I have had exhibitions in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Pedro, Seattle, Stockholm, Barcelona and London. It has also been screened at Photo Festivals and workshops in Australia , Thailand and Cambodia.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
SL: London, a large Pixies retrospective is being planned for the spring please check my addenda blog for the exact dates and details: http://blog.simon-larbalestier.co.uk/addenda/
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
SL: I think I’ve had it! When Vaughan called me July 2008 in Bangkok and asking me to shoot entirely new work for the Minotaur Project 22 years after Come on Pilgrim!. We had remained close friends over the years although I had left the UK and was based in Thailand. The Minotaur project and the resulting Limited Edition Box Set easily eclipses anything we have done together before. We are both very happy with the final results.
SG: What is your favorite color?.
SL: Black
SG: Who is your favorite photographer? And Why?
SL: I have too many to narrow it down to one person as I like many genres of photography. When I was studying I greatly respected Minor White, Edward Weston, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Duane Michals, Ralph Gibson and Arthur Tress. There is also the social documentary work of photographers like Richard Misrach, Alec Soth, Tom Stoddart, Eugene Richards, Garry Winogrand, Philip Jones Griffiths, Tim Page, W. Eugene Smith and Don McCullin to name but a few……
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
I tend to read several books at once depending on what projects I have right now I’m reading Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” and Martin Evening’s “Guide to Lightroom 2″. My favorite author is Haruki Murakami.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
SL: Bangkok.
SG: Any final words of advice?
SL: In my experience I have found the creative “art world” to be very competitive and there are always peaks and troughs in one’s own creative development. Be true to yourself and NEVER GIVE UP!
Captions for Supplied Images
Please note all images that are used for web display must be credited with image caption and © Simon Larbalestier 2010
File Name: Subterranean
Caption: Subterranean, The Minotaur Series, 2008-2009.
File Name: Cuban
Caption: Cuban, The Minotaur Series, 2008-2009.
File Name: Minotaur
Caption: Minotaur, The Minotaur Series, 2008-2009.
File Name: Confessional
Caption: Confessional, The Minotaur Series, 2008-2009.
File Name: Bones
Caption: Bones, The Minotaur Series, 2008-2009.
File Name: Moleskine
Caption: Moleskine, A L P H A V I L L E working notes, my studio, 2010.
File Name: Rossary
Caption: Maddona and Rossary, Bangkok, Thailand, 2009.
File Name: Bamboo Forest
Caption: Bamboo Forest, Bangkok, Thailand, 2009.
File Name: Wat Atwear
Caption: Wat Atwear, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, 2008.
File Name: Votive Candles
Caption: Votive Candles, Berlin, Germany, 2009.
Website: http://www.simon-larbalestier.co.uk
Representation: http://www.snapgalleries.com
Archive: http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/simonlarbalestier
Blog: http://blog.simon-larbalestier.co.uk/addenda/
Topics: Artist Interviews, International-Art, Photography | No Comments »
Spraygraphic Events: Pixel Painting at the Phoenix Art Museum
By Spraygraphic | March 7, 2010
On March 5th (Phoenix First Firday) Spraygraphic, the Phoenix Art Museum and Pixel Paint teamed up for a great first Friday event in downtown Phoenix at them Museum. Spraygraphic.com invited local artists Matt Brown (House of Flying Paint) and JJ Horner to demonstrate and exhibit a cool new art tool called pixel paint. A device that projects a pixel paint program onto a 14 foot movie screen. Artists are equipped with laser spraypaint cans that allowed them to paint, draw and devise any kind of image they wish. While at the same time the Phoenix Art Museum hosted its TRAIN TRACKS FINALS. A battle of 4 local bands going for the honor of king of the tracks. Click here to see pics from the event…
Topics: Art Events, Live Art Shows, Museum Events, Phoenix Art Scene, Phoenix-events, Technology and Gadgets | No Comments »
Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Sacha Heron
By Spraygraphic | March 6, 2010
Spraygraphic Interview with Photographer Sacha Heron
SG: Please tell us about yourself. Where do you currently live and work?
SH: I am a French freelance photographer. I started working a year ago after making a change in my professional life. Now I focus my work around portraits and documentary work. I live and work in Paris.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
SH: I think photography is the medium that suits me best.
SG: What kind of equipment do you use?
SH: I work mostly with a Nikon digital which I put different lenses on ; 24-70, 50, 35, 85. Everything depends on need. But as soon as possible I will use medium format with analog film. Most of my portraits are done with an old Seagull. A medium format camera with two lenses. I love it .
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
SH: Whenever it’s possible, I inquire a bit about the person I’m going to photograph. I think about the atmosphere that I want, but what matters most is the moment of encounter. From the first moment I see what I like or dislike and how I’ll organize my image around that personality. I use mostly natural light so I sometimes have to take into account the constraints of location.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
SH: Sometimes there are moments when I am not very inspired. I think, the best way to solve this problem is to continue to make images, continue to try new things, to feel this again. Unfortunately I have no miracle recipe, but I believe in work.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
SH: These are the people and events that inspire me the most. Sometimes the scene, but it’s pretty rare that the place is put forward in my portrait. I draw a lot of the aesthetics of fashion even if I have the impression of making a documentary work when i do a portrait of someone. Anyway, I spend much time watching the work of others in order to understand what I like and what I dislike. I think it is very important to have solid references.
SG: What do you look for when you are picking models/subjects to work with? Is it a physical feature? Personality? Photogenic? etc…
SH: I am mainly looking for a sincerity in the model. I think the photogenic aspect is an abstract concept. A good portrait is first when the connection between photographer and subject work. This is the result of an encounter. It is necessary that the model is willing to give me a little of their private life or to give me just a privileged moment.
SG: Do you bring your camera with you everywhere with you or do you leave it home when you go out on the town?
SH: I always carry a small camera on me that I use regularly. I do not like the idea of the missed opportunity to make a good image if it presents itself to me.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
SH: My work has been shown in group exhibition in Paris. Some work has been published in the press but for those are interested, the best way to see my work is still going on my website.
I participate regularly in a photographic project called Exquisite Corpse Photos with other photographers. It’s a photography collective that uses the exquisite corpse method of collaboration, In which, words or images are collectively assembled. Each contributor builds upon the last person’s contribution, Thus making it a never-ending narrative of thought. For our little project here, one photographer posts a photo that is in direct response to the previous photo in the queue. Whether that is based on aesthetic or content is up to the photographer. It’s a really interesting project.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
SH: On the Vanity Fair cover or at a museum ? Who knows? Seriously, I ‘d like to do more editorial portraits. If anyone is interested …
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
SH: Portraiture can’t be made without meetings. I just hope to have the opportunity to meet interesting people and make with them some images that give feelings.
G: What is your favorite color?.
SH: It is somewhere between black and white.
SG: Who is your favorite photographer? And Why?
SH: I like the work of many photographers as Stéphane Vanfleteren, Ricahrd Dumas, Avedon, Michal Chelbin, D. Arbus, but it is definitely the pictures of Paolo Roversi that inspire me the most. His sense of aesthetics, the simplicity and elegance of his images touch me particularly.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
SH: I take pleasure in re-reading my collection of comics. And more specifically The Goon which I love.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
SH: I go very often to the cinema, or see exhibitions. I walk a lot in Paris, but I do not have a favorite place in particular.
SG: Any final words of advice?
SH: Think about what you want to do, gives you the means to get there, listen, look and act. then f..k off those who say you will never succeed…
Topics: Artist Interviews, Photography | 1 Comment »
Spraygraphic Featured Member: Gretchen Skillman
By Spraygraphic | March 5, 2010
Spraygraphic Featured Member: Gretchen Skillman
Gretchen Skillman is a talented artist from Oakland, California. Her Creative Project Section has some great collages and mixed media. Check out Gretchen Skillman’s profile.
Topics: California Art Scene, Featured Members, San Francisco Art Scene, Women Art | 1 Comment »
Spraygraphic Event: Live Pixel Painting
By Spraygraphic | March 4, 2010
Spraygraphic Event: Live Pixel Painting
On March 5th (Phoenix First Firday) at the Phoenix Art Museum in conjunction with the museum’s Train Tracks Finals, Spraygraphic.com will be teaming up with artists Matt Brown (House of Flying Paint) and JJ Horner to demonstrate and exhibit a cool new art tool called pixel paint. A device that projects a pixel paint program onto a 14 foot movie screen. Artists are equipped with laser spraypaint cans that allow them to paint, draw and devise any kind of image they wish.
Topics: Art Events, Museum Events, Phoenix Art Scene, Phoenix-events, Spraygraphic, Technology and Gadgets | No Comments »
Spraygraphic Featured Member: Dektown
By Spraygraphic | March 4, 2010
Spraygraphic Featured Member: Dektown
Dektown is a talented artist from Phoenix, Arizona. His Creative Project Section has some great oil paintings. Check out Dektown’s profile.
Topics: Featured Members, Paintings, Phoenix Art Scene | No Comments »
Great Photography from Firat Kocak
By Spraygraphic | March 4, 2010
Great Photography from Firat Kocak
New talent under the Fabrika group…Firat Kocak…Here are some of my favorites
Topics: Fashion, International-Art, Photography | 1 Comment »
KESHA + STAR WARS Music Video
By Spraygraphic | March 3, 2010
KESHA + STAR WARS Music Video
A Star Wars themed, Ke$ha Tik Tok music video spoof! They also referenced a couple of other movies and have thrown in some Easter Eggs for the hard core Star Wars crowd.
Topics: videos | No Comments »
Cool Umbrella Pic
By Spraygraphic | March 3, 2010
Cool Umbrella Pic from Anomalous NYC’s flickr account…
Topics: New York Art Scene, Photography | No Comments »
MINI MINI ORIGAMI ART
By Spraygraphic | March 3, 2010
Mui-Ling Teh’s itsy bitsy teeny weeny tiny origami art.
Topics: Asian Artists, Sculpture Art | 2 Comments »
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