Sunday, June 29, 2014

Walking down the street

... when ishotkatemoss:
... but steveworekatemoss
"People are a bit shocked to see me walking down the street" - kate moss
If you are shocked to see kate walking down the street ...
Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Photographer Series #9: lynnshotkatemoss



And now we return to our regularly scheduled www.ishotkatemoss.com programming ...

Fine-art photographer Lynn Saville specializes in photographing at twilight and dawn, or as she describes it, "the boundary times between night and day". Her photographs are published in two monographs: Acquainted With the Night (Rizzoli, 1997) and Night/Shift (Random House/Monacelli, 2009). She is represented by Yancey Richardson Gallery in New York and is included in many major permanent collections.
Street Corner - Brooklyn

Lynn roams, what she terms, “limbo regions”, places she believes to be one of our last frontiers. Spaces that seem unloved and overlooked, cracks in the urban façade. In Lynn’s own words: “When I discover a site that attracts me, I return to it at dusk. In this liminal period, natural light gives way to streetlight, moonlight, and window light, as well as advertisement and surveillance lighting. 

Several years ago Lynn was lured back to the central areas of NYC, where economic turmoil produced its own gaps in the façade - vacant stores whose glowing windows in which she saw a resemblance to a Rothko painting. Her latest series, Vacancy: The Disquieting Beauty of Emptiness, began as a response to the effects of The Great Recession, and the pictures capture shuttered stores and abandoned spaces, seen at transitional hours.

So how would Lynn interpret kate, we wondered? Was kate a “disquieting beauty” too?
Lynn Saville's The Terrace Bridge + Kate, 2014


iskm: What did you do to your chosen kate moss image and why?
Lynn Saville (LS): I wanted to create a photograph in which her image engages in a quiet and timeless way. I took a tiny portion of a picture I had taken of Kate Moss glowing at twilight and transferred it electronically to my portable projector. I then brought the projector with me as I visited some of my special locations. 
Lynn's source image of a billboard in NOLITA


iskm: How/why did you select the source image that you did?

LS: I was fascinated with a billboard image of Kate near a gas station in NOLITA. I liked the way she looked out over Houston Street and the fact that she was reclining gave her direct and open gaze a sense of curiosity and intimacy. I also liked that it was a black and white image, as I primarily work in color. Given how I was planning on creating my submission, this source image would then contrast with the place I decided to take the final photograph.


iskm: Why did you feel the need to project the image rather than simply work with an established picture of kate?
LS: I feel that in a sense Kate cultural/fashion presence lingers in my imagination even when I'm in spaces I photograph.  I felt it would be interesting to experiment with projecting a part of her image in a place one wouldn't ordinarily actually see it.

iskm: How and why did you choose the location that you did? Is it a church or a synagogue?
LS: The place I chose was under the Terrace Bridge in Central Park. The arcade reminds me of the Alhambra in Spain ... Olmsted and Vaux combined Moorish, Romanesque and Classical influences ... the place is almost religious in its meditative spirit. I wanted to show the timeless quality of Kate's gaze in an unlikely urban setting and to show that in today's culture, advertising media seems to be everywhere.


iskm: How do you feel your approach to photography/art making affected your submission to ishotkatemoss? 
LS: I have been experimenting with including a figure or silhouette in my vacant urban landscape photographs. In the past, a figure would unexpectedly intrude into my long exposure photograph when a person would walk through the frame. I discovered that these ghostly intrusions often added a poignant dimension to the image. Recently I began projecting a figure or face into the space I photograph so as to be able to have more control and because I feel that projections communicate a special importance from a culturally historic perspective (such as slide shows and drive-in movies). I consider the projection as my own enlarged screen or smaller billboard when used in a public place.

iskm: That is really interesting. Do you see the projected image playing a new cultural role?
LS: We carry around our smartphones and tablets so we are viewing our small screens everywhere these days. We are therefore viewing personal, as well as commercial, messages in public spaces. I'm using the projected image to add a new size and dimension to the ‘portability’ of the image as I move the image into a new place. It's almost a brief ‘tagging’ of a public space with my idea. Now, after using a picture of Kate in this way, I realize that I am also referencing the surprise of an unexpected view of a commercial image. These images are everywhere, intruding on our landscape and popping up on our computers so I'm gaining a sense of power by putting it out there, where I want to see it, at least for a brief time.

iskm: Which photographer/s would you most want to most see involved in ishotkatemoss?
LS: Jeff Wall, Thomas Struth and Gursky - all are iconic artists working in photography at this moment in time. I feel that their "take" on culture and landscape photography would be interesting to view in the context of ishotkatemoss.

iskm: Thanks so much Lynn. We are so incredibly thankful for your involvement.
LS: My pleasure. The iskm concept is fascinating from a variety of perspectives. I liked the challenge of working with an icon like Kate Moss when I usually think about icons like the Flatiron Building. The urban landscape has many images of Kate Moss so it is natural to think of her image in cityscape photographs!

More information about Lynn’s work can be found at www.lynnsaville.com and keep an eye out for the monograph of her latest project, Vacancy, which will be published by the distinguished Italian press Damiani, in the fall of 2015.

And just like Lynn walking through NYC at dusk or dawn ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Desire and Disgust #13: Final Cut

Last but certainly not least, SVA student Nate Bass sliced and wove together his www.ishotkatemoss.com contribution:
Like a good secret, Nate's work is hard to find, so much so I have yet to locate his web site ...

Having now highlighted all of the SVA student's work individually, it dawned on me that I hadn't attempted to imply the strength of seeing all of the unique and various contributions together.

I was lucky enough to find this wonderful shot of SVA teacher Keren Moscovitch observing a collection of pieces, displayed during the critique. Although not all contributions are exhibited at once, this image begins to capture the intensity of looking at several interpretations of kate simultaneously.

The photo was taken by teaching assistant and prop stylist, Michelle Longo, whose work can be seen at www.michellelongo.com

I was incredibly honored that the iskm project was used by the class, taught by Keren along with Len DeLessio, and was also so pleased to participate in the final review. Most importantly, of course, keep an eye on the work and progress of the wonderful students!

At the end of the class, I was presented with the shreds of a "Kate Moss" book, signed by each student, containing remnants of images of herself that she had in fact originally chosen and curated:
It turns out that the students sourced their kate from this book, leaving me with half a book and plenty of remnants - like a trail of artistic evidence. I will treasure it!

So much so that if anyone out there in the blogosphere wishes to try their hand at observing, slowing down, shooting and submitting to www.ishotkatemoss.com, just like SVA students, please send an email to ishotkatemoss@gmail.com with your name & postal address. We will then send you as close to a complete page from the book for you to adulterate and photograph to your hearts content.

The postage is on us, anywhere in the world, so no excuses ...

Submit ... to www.ishotkatemoss.com

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Desire and Disgust #12

While I cast a mossy eye over SVA student, Lena Nicholson's submissions to www.ishotkatemoss.com, I am reminded of her statement: "As I'm reflecting on this person, Kate Moss, she is reflecting on herself":
For more of Lena's reflections visit www.lena.nicholson.net

Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Desire and Disgust #11

Social documentarian, portrait photographer and SVA student, Philip Andrew Garber, commented that he was raised around newspapers. As such, the texture of the paper - and of kate - was an important consideration in his four pieces submitted to www.ishotkatemoss.com.

I found all four images to be striking and have enlarged one of his photographs so that you can truly see the detail:
Want more detail about Philip's work? Read all about it at www.philipandrewgarber.com

Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Desire and Disgust #10

SVA student, Johanna Benainous, tore, scrapped and collated before photographing the following images for www.ishotkatemoss.com:
You can see more of her work at www.johannabenainous.com
 
Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Monday, June 16, 2014

Desire and Disgust #9

Peckish? Food photographer and SVA student, Joy Kim, decided to integrate food as de facto make-up onto a black & white image of kate. Crushed strawberry lips, apple skin eyes and eyebrows, orange peel hair ... and a touch of grape skin for a mole. Food as make-up? Well we suppose that would have been one solution to the anorexic model fetish of the early 90s! Instead of eating them up, we have added these two images to the www.ishotkatemoss.com collage:
Hungry for more? Have a look at Minimal Cravings and Flesh for more food inspired images at www.joykimphoto.com

Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Desire and Disgust #8

Moved by her curiosity for the subtle and small details in life, Mexican photographer and SVA student, Lillian Przedecki, wanted to explore - through her submission to www.ishotkatemoss.com - a notion of beauty and how it is transformed. She created a number of pieces incorporating the elements, including folding and dipping images in water, and elements of kate:
For more of Lillian's exploration of the subtle, look at www.lillianprzedecki.com

Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Desire and Disgust #7

Fashion photographer and SVA student, Bailee Boyko, created a fascinating collage. Using kate to look at "the twisted reality that photos give us", Bailee utilized a variety of elements and styles. She incorporated her own detailed illustrations while layering portions of photographs, including kate's eyes.

If your eyes happen take you to www.ishotkatemoss.com you will see the following image added to the project ...
... and work from Bailee's camera can be seen at www.baillboyko.com/21tries

Just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Desire and Disgust #6

SVA student Latham Sullivan is fascinated with hidden things and with secrets ... so what would you therefore expect him to do with a naked kate before sending it through to www.ishotkatemoss.com?
Get a fixer tray and submerge her! 
Um ... got milk?
I strongly recommend looking for more of the hidden - such as Information Fracture and Watching, Waiting, Visible - amongst a lot of great work at www.lathamsullivan.com 

And just like a certain SVA student ... Observe. Slow Down. Submerge. Shoot. Submit. 

Monday, June 9, 2014

Desire and Disgust #5

In addition to the US Surgeon General, SVA student Danna Barak warns that if you fold and crimp a smoking kate you may end up up with interesting art that is added to the www.ishotkatemoss.com collage:
Have a look at Danna's other work at www.dannabarak.4ormat.com

And just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Desire and Disgust #4


Japanese photographer, artist and SVA student, Chitose Kuroishi asked "I wonder if Kate is really happy or not?"

In this image, that has been added to the www.ishotkatemoss.com collage, Chitose hand colored a black+white image of kate and then reflected the face as "a woman uses the mirror to see themselves".

Ah, tears of a clown ... was it kate or Smokey who said: "Now if there's a smile on my face, it's only there trying to fool the public"?

See more of Chitose's unique approach and experimentation at www.kchitose.tumblr.com

And just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Desire and Disgust: #3

Ed Wu draws on the quote "There's power in the nighttime that you won't find in the day" for inspiration. This shines through in his two submissions that were recently added to the www.ishotkatemoss.com collage ...
... and now view his nighttime photography at www.edwuphotography.com

And just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Desire and Disgust: #2

Three beautiful photo-montages added to the iskm collage at www.ishotkatemoss.com from studio/portrait photographer and SVA student Svetlana Blasucci:
More information about Svetlana's work can be found at www.svetlanablasucci.squarespace.com/

And just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit. 

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Desire and Disgust

A few weeks ago iskm founder, Zev Jonas, attended an undergraduate class titled Still-Life: Objects of Desire and Disgust at the School of Visual Arts in NY. The class was made up of thirteen students, mostly juniors and seniors - although there were two sophomores and one exchange student from France. The group was diverse in content and style with approximately half exploring commercial, fashion and editorial photography.

Taught by Keren Moscovitch - of Photographer Series #3 fame - the course broke down the genre of still life into multiple sub-genres like 'Death and the Grotesque', 'Commerce, Consumption and Wealth' and 'Portraiture, Landscape and the Body'. This was done in order to explore the entire classification of 'Still Life' art while starting to evaluate work from the perspective of its qualities and how it functions.

As part of the final project each student was asked, under the auspices of an assignment titled Transformation, to create images for www.ishotekatemoss.com. The discussions in class as to the role of still life, the project and kate specifically were active, informed and insightful.

To do honor to the students and their work, it was felt that each participant deserved their imagery to be highlighted. So over the coming weeks, in addition to each student's work being added to the iskm collage, they will have their submitted images shown right here dear reader.

So for your viewing pleasure, lets start with Ella Sophie, who utilized kate in collaboration with - amongst other influences - photographs from her Distorted Fishnet series:
Ella's series and her other work can be seen at: www.ellasophiefoto.com and on her photo blog.

And just like SVA students ... Observe. Slow Down. Shoot. Submit.