Interviews with Today's Top Artists and Photographers - https://mymodernmet.com/category/interview/ The Big City That Celebrates Creative Ideas Mon, 08 May 2023 16:45:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-My-Modern-Met-Favicon-1-32x32.png Interviews with Today's Top Artists and Photographers - https://mymodernmet.com/category/interview/ 32 32 Man Discovers Passion for Moody Street Photography After Moving to New York [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/nicolas-miller-nyc-street-photography/ Sat, 06 May 2023 14:45:52 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=572983 Man Discovers Passion for Moody Street Photography After Moving to New York [Interview]

When Nicolas Miller moved to New York City several years ago, he was inspired to start his creative journey. Intrigued by the metropolis and all it had to offer, he picked up an old DSLR and began exploring the streets. From there, he's never looked back. Propelled forward by the inspiring street photographers he viewed […]

READ: Man Discovers Passion for Moody Street Photography After Moving to New York [Interview]

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Man Discovers Passion for Moody Street Photography After Moving to New York [Interview] New York Street Photography by Nicolas Miller

When Nicolas Miller moved to New York City several years ago, he was inspired to start his creative journey. Intrigued by the metropolis and all it had to offer, he picked up an old DSLR and began exploring the streets. From there, he's never looked back. Propelled forward by the inspiring street photographers he viewed online, his love for the craft has only deepened over time. Today, he's amassed a healthy following on Instagram, where he publishes his neo-noir New York street photography.

In love with capturing the moment and inspired by cinema, Miller's work is a dark and moody look at the city. Through his lens, solitary figures strut down foggy streets. Neon signs and the headlights of a subway car provide soft illumination so that we can make out this vision of the urban landscape.

These elements make Miller's work a love letter to New York City, but one tinged with loneliness. In his creative world, the city is filled with individuals who perhaps come together as a couple, but never en masse. This solitary view is understandable when one imagines that Miller began heavily investing in his photography during the pandemic—perhaps one of the most solitary times for individuals in recent history.

We had the opportunity to speak with Miller about his work and what drives him. We cover everything from the films that influence him to his most memorable photo. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

Silhouettes of People in FogConey Island at NightWhat sparked your love for photography?

Moving to New York City back in 2018 sparked my love for photography. I was fascinated by the city and would often spend hours walking to enjoy it and discover new places. I had an old entry-level DSLR and I started taking it on my walks and shooting more and more. Around the end of 2018, I decided to install Instagram to check out the work of photographers capturing the city and I was blown away by the work of some people. That’s when I decided to learn photography more in-depth. I got much deeper into photography in 2020 when it became an escape for me during the pandemic. I was shooting almost every day at some point during that year.

Man in front of Amsterdam Billiard in New YorkMan Walking by Radio City Music HallYour work is very cinematic. Were you influenced by film and, if so, how and what films in particular?

Movies are definitely a main source of inspiration for me. I love every movie taking place in the gritty New York of the '70s and '80s. Among my all-time classics are Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and, more recently, Joker. I’m a huge fan of the neo-noir movie genre, and this is the type of atmosphere I try to convey in my pictures. A lot of the themes of this genre can be found in my photography—loneliness, alienation, paranoia, blurry line between dream and reality. The cinematography of both Blade Runner movies also had a huge influence on my editing and color grading.

New York Street Photography by Nicolas MillerCinematic Street Photography by Nicolas MillerWhat's your working process for your street photography? Do you go out with a plan or just let the action unfold?

It really depends. I usually start with a plan in mind but often end up going with the flow and walking randomly until I’m too tired to go on. This means I can sometimes go for sessions of more than 10 hours if conditions are good. I also tend to scout locations and come back in conditions I enjoy (fog, golden light, etc). Ultimately, the best photos are usually unplanned, and spending so much time in the city shooting is the way to capture those decisive moments.

New York Street Photography by Nicolas MillerNicolas Miller New York Street PhotographyWhat's your favorite equipment to shoot with?

I have been shooting with the same Sony mirrorless camera since 2019. I dragged it in blizzards, heavy rain, and sand storms and it is still working perfectly, so I’m pretty happy with it. I use mainly prime lenses because of the fast aperture for night shooting. I shoot at 35, 50, and 85mm. I also own an old 35mm film camera that I bought to shoot the West of the U.S. during a trip I did a few years back. I feel a little guilty not using it more often but I’m definitely more into digital photography.

People by the River in NYC
Man Riding Bike in Brooklyn in Front of Open Fire Hydrant

Summer in Brooklyn

What's the most memorable image you've taken? 

Summer in Brooklyn is one of my favorite photos that I’ve taken. Water hydrants are often opened during warm summer days for kids to play with water and I noticed on one of my evening walks that the golden light was reflecting on water coming from a hydrant on a street in Brooklyn. This only lasted for a few minutes and I couldn’t get any interesting subject going through the frame. I came back to the same spot for several days when, finally, the man on his bike showed up on the third evening as I was ready to leave. It caught me by surprise and I took the shot without looking at the camera. The result ended up being one of my most iconic shots so I'm glad I put in the effort.

Silhouette of a Man on the NYC SubwayNew York Street Photography by Nicolas MillerWhat do you hope that your images convey to the public?

The themes of the neo-noir genre definitely occupy a major place in my photography. I’m not trying to capture reality, I’m more interested in transporting viewers in my own dark fantasy. Photography is, to some extent, a way to escape my daily routine and everyday problems, as I do not think about anything else when I’m shooting. I hope the public can feel the same way when looking at my photos.

See more of Miller's cinematic New York street photography.

Nicolas Miller New York Street PhotographyFigure Walking in Snowy Central Park at NightNew York Street Photography by Nicolas MillerDetail of a Skyscraper at Night in New YorkTrains in Chicago at Night by Nicolas MillerNicolas Miller: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nicolas Miller.

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READ: Man Discovers Passion for Moody Street Photography After Moving to New York [Interview]

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Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/vanishing-cuba-michael-chinnici/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 16:35:29 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=585793 Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview]

American documentary photographer Michael Chinnici is in love with Cuba. He began visiting the country once travel restrictions eased and he hasn't looked back since. Vanishing Cuba is his look at the “soul of Cuba” through evocative photographs of the country's people and places. This large-format coffee table book features over 300 images from his first […]

READ: Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview]

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Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview]
Mechanic in Cuba Working on a Car by Michael Chinnici

“Cuban Repair Shop”
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American documentary photographer Michael Chinnici is in love with Cuba. He began visiting the country once travel restrictions eased and he hasn't looked back since. Vanishing Cuba is his look at the “soul of Cuba” through evocative photographs of the country's people and places. This large-format coffee table book features over 300 images from his first 24 trips to the island nation and is available in three special editions.

Chinnici's powerful visuals are accompanied by stories in English and Spanish to help guide the narrative. Many of these stories are told by the Cubans who have created strong bonds with the New York-based photographer. And together, they are helping tell a story of Cuba's past, present, and future.

From intimate portraits to landscapes to candid moments on the street, Vanishing Cuba is a collection that speaks to the heart. Turning the pages, it's impossible not to feel Chinnici's love for Cuba. In this way, it's more than a photography book but is rather a love letter to all the Cubans who have left an impression on the photographer and who continue to drive his passion to return.

We were able to chat with Chinnici about his love for photography and for Cuba, as well as the impact he hopes Vanishing Cuba will have. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and pick up a copy of Vanishing Cuba on Red Octopus Publishing or Amazon.

Black and White Photo of Cuban Children by Michael Chinnici

“The Children of Cuba”

What sparked your love for documentary photography and investigating other cultures through your art?

There are many genres of photography. They all appeal to photographers in different ways. I love to connect with my subjects. I get this mainly through people and environmental captures. I don’t get that kind of feedback from more static photography. Don’t get me wrong—I love landscape, nature, architecture, etc., but I just don’t feel the same connection.

I fell in love with documentary photography because it captures real life in a beautiful and truthful way. It allows the viewer to see the world through my eyes and better understand the story that I’m telling.

I enjoy giving people a better understanding of the world around them. It can also help people to learn about new customs and traditions and to appreciate the diversity of the world’s many cultures.

Sunset in Cuba by Michael Chinnici

“Vanishing Sun”

How did the initial trip to Cuba come about and what was it about the country that hooked you?

When I realized that travel to Cuba was possible, I contacted some friends who connected me with the right people. Having the right team on the ground in Cuba—or any country—is key to exploring and capturing unique, truthful, and compelling images.

What hooked me? The people. Everyone I know who has gone or who I've brought to Cuba has fallen in love with the people. I'm no different. I've traveled to many countries, and there's something exceptional about Cuba and Cuban culture. The people have beauty in their souls.

Cuban Woman Sitting on a Bed by Michael Chinnici

“A Room With a View”

When did it then transform into something larger?

I'm now up to 28 trips with my upcoming April trip.

My photography travel company Photo Workshop Adventures leads photographic and cultural trips worldwide, including Cuba.

As my love for Cuba grew and the global interest in traveling to Cuba increased, so did my trips. But even if that were not the case, I would have found a way to return and capture the everyday life of the Cuban people. I'll probably continue to go to Cuba several times a year for as long as it’s feasible.

Sunrise in Cuba by Michael Chinnici

“Sunrise on the Malecon”

As Americans, we often have a very specific idea of what it must be like in Cuba based on past history between our countries. What was the most surprising thing you learn through your time in Cuba?

The most surprising thing I've learned is how similar Cubans are to Americans. Other than the distinct differences between the governments and the landscape, the people are the same. We feel an affinity toward each other. It's pretty remarkable. I talk about this in my book, how my fears and concerns on my first trip evaporated in a matter of days.

Think about the tumultuous relationship the United States and Cuba have had since the 1959 Cuban Revolution—including almost no diplomatic relations. The 60-plus-year trade embargo against Cuba is still in place. Think how that embargo affects everyday life for Cubans. You would think there would be much hatred and anger toward Americans. It's the opposite. Strangely, I see only anger toward the Cuban government.

Classic Car in Cuba by Michael Chinnici

“Bullet Nose”

What were some of the biggest changes you saw in Cuba throughout your trips?

There have been many changes, such as fewer vintage American cars on the streets (mainly due to the addition of newer Chinese government cars and taxis). Fewer young women giving birth. A brain drain of some of the smartest and youngest people who have left for the United States and Europe. Deterioration of infrastructure. Less food, electricity, fuel, water, medicine, health care, etc., very high inflation, and no tourism. Many new hotels sit empty, waiting for the next surge in tourism. It's strange to see.

I've also witnessed positive changes, such as capitalism. Young entrepreneurs, taxi drivers, tour guides, mechanics, and retail shops trying to get ahead and make a difference. But they are few and far between.

Portrait of a Cuban Woman by Michael Chinnici

“Exotic Beauty”

Is there any image in particular that has special meaning to you, and how so? 

There are too many images that I've taken for there to be one image that stands out and means something special to me. The book contains 300 images, edited from a collection of tens of thousands. But since you are asking the question, I will tell you about the story behind one photo.

I took an image of a young woman titled Exotic Beauty. The title describes her unique blend of ethnicities. It's not my favorite, but it has a very special meaning. I was in a restaurant in Old Havana when I noticed a waitress with a unique look. I asked her if I could photograph her, and she graciously accepted. Taking just a few minutes of her time, I asked her to step into the kitchen doorway, and I took her photo.

Soon after, Dayle and I became friends (like I do with so many of my encounters). Fast forward several months later. Francesco, a young Italian man with a love for photography and Cuba, who follows me on Instagram, saw my post of Dayle. They connected, and when the Covid restrictions were over, he traveled to Cuba, where they began a beautiful relationship. Recently, they were married in Florence, Italy. Knowing that my photograph connected two people and created a beautiful love story makes what I do all worth it.

Black and White Portrait of a Cuban Taxi Driver by Michael Chinnici

“Taxi Driver”

What do you hope that people take away when looking at Vanishing Cuba?

It's my hope that people will come away with better love and understanding of Cuba and the Cuban people. Feel my connection to the Cuban people and appreciate my photography.

Vanishing Cuba is now available in three special editions.

Vanishing Cuba Set by Michael Chinnici

Michael Chinnici: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Michael Chinnici.

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READ: Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview]

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Striking Photos Document Lives of Indigenous People Most Impacted by Climate Change [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/migwa-nthiga-walks-of-life/ Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:15:16 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=582715 Striking Photos Document Lives of Indigenous People Most Impacted by Climate Change [Interview]

Kenyan photographer Migwa Nthiga is shedding light on Indigenous culture in his evocative series of portraits, Walks Of Life. For the series, Nthiga followed Indigenous Nilotic people as they went about their daily activities. Living close to Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya, these people have faced increasing hardship due to recurring droughts in the area. By […]

READ: Striking Photos Document Lives of Indigenous People Most Impacted by Climate Change [Interview]

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Striking Photos Document Lives of Indigenous People Most Impacted by Climate Change [Interview] Walks of Life by Migwa Nthiga

Kenyan photographer Migwa Nthiga is shedding light on Indigenous culture in his evocative series of portraits, Walks Of Life. For the series, Nthiga followed Indigenous Nilotic people as they went about their daily activities. Living close to Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya, these people have faced increasing hardship due to recurring droughts in the area. By taking their portraits, Nthiga hopes to shed light on this beautiful culture and the struggles provoked by the climate crisis.

From a creative standpoint, Nthiga's dreamy imagery combines the skill of candid photography with a visual sensibility that results in photos that appear to be ripped from a fashion magazine. With dramatic lighting and interesting color choices, the portfolio has a cinematic quality that elevates the photography.

Looking at the photos, it should come as no surprise that Nthiga has experience in advertising. His images not only tell a story, but they also “sell” the viewer on the narrative. He is clearly able to transform his previous professional experience in selling brands into a vehicle for telling human stories.

We had a chance to speak with Nthiga about how he got his start in photography and why it was important for him, as a native Kenyan, to tell the story of this Indigenous culture. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

Nilotic Women in Kenya by Migwa NthigaHow did your love for photography begin and when did it become a serious profession?

My love for photography began when I was a sophomore at university studying Public Relations and Marketing. I took a film photography course as an elective and fell in love with the art form from day one. It was the only course I studied and practiced ahead of the course plan. My best friend and I would write down fashion photography concepts and shoot them in his backyard with friends of ours posing for free. We would lose track of time doing this…it was great!

In my last year of university, I did my three-month mandatory internship at a formidable advertising agency named Scanad. They eventually hired me full-time, and I spent the next two and a half years soaking in the experience of managing brand campaigns and setting up commercial photoshoots. This is when I saw the commercial viability of photography and planned my exit strategy to form my own commercial photography business.

Indigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaYou do lots of different types of photography, but your portraits and documentation of people are particularly striking. What fulfills you creatively about photographing people?

After shooting print advertisements for 10 years, I felt it was time to switch it up and tell deeper, more meaningful human interest stories. This came about after shooting brand campaigns that really put ordinary people from different walks of life at the center of their marketing communications strategies.

What fulfills me creatively about photographing people is the opportunity to tell real-life stories that inspire and inform others about different ways of life. Documentary photography also allows me to travel and visit places I have never been. I learn from these experiences, and it's just like being in university, only cooler and more insightful. I also have the freedom to be creative and photograph stories that move me as opposed to shooting a brief that has the goal of increasing brand equity.

Indigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaHow did the idea for Walks Of Life come about?

My Walks Of Life series was born through the need to tell authentic Nilotic Indigenous stories. Often we get international foreign photographers coming to tell these stories with their own biases and agendas that neither reflects the true nature of the tribes they have come to photograph nor make any sustainable impact in their lives.

Walks Of Life is the first of many projects I will be working on to promote travel expeditions to these far remote areas so that people can experience firsthand the beautiful way of life of the people in Northern Kenya. Indigenous communities have a lot of knowledge that we can learn from as we look for sustainable solutions to the climate crisis. There is also increased food insecurity due to prolonged drought in our country, and the nomadic pastoralists are bearing the brunt of this as they travel great distances in search of food and water, so learning from their beautiful ways of conservation would also help them. As my bigger goal, I would like to travel and tell more African Indigenous stories so more people in Africa and around the world can be inspired to move faster in developing climate solutions.

Indigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaWhy was it important for you, as a native of Kenya, to tell this story?

It was important for me as a native of Kenya to tell this story to show that Kenyan storytellers have a voice and unique perspectives to share with the wider world. We need more Kenyan and African storytellers to tell our own stories because they are authentic and homegrown. This will also create job opportunities for young Kenyans and Africans at large that will keep them off the street and away from crime as we collectively retell the African narrative.

Walks of Life by Migwa NthigaWhat was the most challenging part of creating this story?

The most challenging part of creating this story was convincing the people we photographed that we were not there to exploit them, as this is their view of photographers and filmmakers due to the selling of their stories overseas and making profits that the Indigenous communities don't benefit from. We gave them money and bought them food, but there need to be more sustainable programs that can keep them going for longer periods of time.

Indigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaSo much photography we see of African cultures is taken by foreigners. Can you share a bit about why you think that is? 

I think it's because foreigners are curious about African cultures. There is something magical about Indigenous cultures that we all feel drawn to; their simple way of life connected to nature where we all came from. I think modern humans were sold a dream that has made us stray away from what is truly important in this life and as a result, we have damaged the earth in pursuit of this dream. Seeing Indigenous communities living in tandem with nature could be speaking to us at a deeply cellular maybe even spiritual level, and that could be why we are so drawn to them. So maybe that's why foreigners like to photograph African cultures for them and their audiences who feel this need to connect to something deeper.

To others, it could just be to make money from the unique stories they find in Africa.

Interview with Kenyan Photographer Migwa NthigaDo you see African photographers starting to get more opportunities to show their own perspectives to an international audience?

African photographers are starting to get more opportunities to show their own perspectives to an international audience thanks to the internet. Social media is playing a huge part in this as we see more African visual artists sharing their work and creating interest in trips to Africa by international tourists, explorers, researchers, and the like. African photographers are also proud of what Africa has to offer, and I think that's also what's driving content creation.

Indigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaWhat do you hope that people take away from these photos?

I hope my photos inspire people to be more curious about African cultures and visit Africa to have first-hand interactions with them. I hope my photos inspire other African storytellers to take part in retelling the African narrative. I hope my photos help in showing the importance of mending our relationship with nature so we can find sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.

Portraits of Indigenous People in Kenya by Migwa NthigaIndigenous Nilotic people native to TurkanaWhat are you working on now?

I am working on creating cultural exchange spaces in Northern Kenya where people can come and learn about the Indigenous communities they wish to film and photograph as well as teach the Indigenous community members different skills they can use to improve their own lives. This includes how to tell their own stories using affordable smartphone devices that help them curate their own content and document their own way of life. This could be an alternative source of income for them as they would have full rights to their content that they could sell either digitally or hardcopy prints through photography exhibitions at these spaces.

Migwa Nthiga: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Migwa Nthiga.

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READ: Striking Photos Document Lives of Indigenous People Most Impacted by Climate Change [Interview]

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Artist Travels Across the U.S. To Capture Portraits and Ask for Life Advice From 1,000 Strangers Along the Way [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/imran-nuri-1000-strangers/ Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:50:41 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=572544 Artist Travels Across the U.S. To Capture Portraits and Ask for Life Advice From 1,000 Strangers Along the Way [Interview]

Many people avoid talking to strangers, but not artist and storyteller Imran Nuri. He designed an entire project that centers around talking to people he doesn’t know. Over the course of an epic road trip that had him traversing all of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, he set—and met—a goal of photographing 1,000 strangers while […]

READ: Artist Travels Across the U.S. To Capture Portraits and Ask for Life Advice From 1,000 Strangers Along the Way [Interview]

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Artist Travels Across the U.S. To Capture Portraits and Ask for Life Advice From 1,000 Strangers Along the Way [Interview]
Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 97

Many people avoid talking to strangers, but not artist and storyteller Imran Nuri. He designed an entire project that centers around talking to people he doesn’t know. Over the course of an epic road trip that had him traversing all of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, he set—and met—a goal of photographing 1,000 strangers while asking each person their best advice on life.

Nuri used a 50-year-old medium format Yashica Mat-124 G camera to capture 1,042 photos of 1,019 people shot over 87 rolls of film. Because the black-and-white images were on film, he spent much of his travels not knowing how they would turn out. Luckily, a stop in Oklahoma City to develop a test roll confirmed that they would come out okay.

The project was a huge undertaking and sacrifice for Nuri. He began driving in May 2022 and lived in his Toyota Camry for 12 weeks. It required him to quit his job, and he used a combination of his savings, support through Patreon, and a personal loan to fund it all.

In the end, the intense endeavor was worth it. “The greatest strides in growth and the most impactful artwork comes from getting out of your comfort zone,” he says. “That said, creating this series pushed me so radically out of my comfort zone that I became a 10x better version of myself, and it's a cherry on top that I can share the life advice to help others, too.”

We spoke to Nuri about his ambitious project, including one memorable encounter with a stranger in Colorado. Scroll down to read My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.

Artist and storyteller Imran Nuri spent 12 weeks traveling across the lower 48 U.S. states, photographing 1,000 strangers and getting their best advice on life. Read our interview with him about the project.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 103

How did you get the idea for this project?

I’ve always been someone to push myself to grow as much and as often as possible. During my junior year of college as I watched my friends secure internships at Fortune 500 companies, their plans being to get full-time offers for after graduation, I couldn’t help but ask myself whether there was a more effective way to learn and grow during that crucial summer. I told my peers and advisor, “I’m not sure whether I would learn more by taking on an internship at a major company or doing something way out of my comfort zone like living in a car for a few months and gathering stories from strangers.”

At that time, photography wasn’t a component of it. I chose to start a nonprofit that summer which I would end up running full-time until the end of 2021. Then you fast forward a few years of being in a pandemic, shutting down the nonprofit I built, and choosing to focus more on creating art. At that point, I asked myself what would change in my life if I knew I only had a year left to live. The answer was clear, and it’s what this project became—1,000 pieces of wisdom about how to make the most of life gathered from total strangers from across the country.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 56

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 248

You had to make some serious sacrifices for this project. Why did you feel so compelled to start and finish it?

I was in an honors program at Ohio State and my advisor, Ty Shepfer, said something that will always stick with me. He said, “Everyone wants to believe they’ll live to be 80 years old, but that’s not true. Can you really afford to risk planning for an 80-year life that’s not guaranteed?” I think about that frequently. Sure, I hope to live a long and wonderful life, but what if that’s not what’s meant to happen to me? What if I had this idea and waited until I was 35 to act on it only to find out at 34 that I have terminal cancer? You could say I felt compelled to start and finish this series out of the fear of dying young. It was a grand learning experience for me with the cherry on top of being a body of work that people can enjoy and benefit from for at least decades to come.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 116

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 34

How did you find these individuals?

The way I would find people is essentially by walking around in areas where people could also be walking around, mostly downtowns and parks, and looking for people who were alone. Before starting this series, I tested it out on a smaller scale in Chicago and found that I got higher quality answers from people when we were one on one compared to when people were in groups. I would stop them, ask if I could ask them a question, give them my spiel, and then ask them for life advice based on their lived experiences. Something that still shocks me after completing the journey is the fact that about 95% of all the people I talked to didn’t ask for my name or share theirs until after they had shared their life advice. Someone could tell me about the worst thing that ever happened to them without realizing that we were still strangers who didn’t know each other’s names.

At what point did you snap their photo? 

After they shared what they wanted to, we would formally introduce each other, shake hands, and I would photograph them where they were. I never directed anybody on how to pose—I just told them to do what felt comfortable.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 258

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 278

You shot all of the portraits on a medium-format camera. What inspired this decision?

I’m so glad you asked because the truth is that in an age where I could have whipped out my phone, photographed the person, and uploaded the photo to the cloud where it would live safely no matter what, it was an absolutely ludicrous decision to shoot film and not develop along the way. However, there were some key reasons why shooting on a twin lens camera (TLR) on medium format film was the best thing. I think most importantly that using a TLR means you shoot at the waist level. Making portraits with TLR will inevitably give you photos that make the subject look tall and powerful. I loved the idea that all 1,000 people, no matter what they looked like, would look powerful and confident, conveying the idea that at least for them, the advice they shared was the absolute truth.

Medium format also offers resolution that will make it possible to print these portraits in large sizes as I start to exhibit them. Some other reasons include the unique look of a 50-year-old lens, the undeniable humanness of film, the camera itself being an easy conversation piece, and not being able to analyze my photos while on the road meant that I stayed focused on the journey itself rather than results.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 378

Is there any person who stands out for a very memorable visit? 

There were quite a few superstars along the way, but one of the most memorable strangers I met was in Colorado Springs. As I was walking around talking to strangers, one person told me about how just 10 minutes ago, they had just been stopped by another guy who also said he was going around talking to strangers. Not just that, but he was getting matching tattoos with them! Neither of us had any idea if this tattoo guy was still around the area, but I thought that was the weirdest coincidence.

Later, as I was photographing who I thought would be my final stranger in Colorado Springs, in walks the tattooed man. His name is Don Caskey, and at the time he had over 400 matching tattoos with total strangers. He told me about how he had gotten diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer a few years prior, and though he hadn’t gotten a tattoo before then, he decided to use his remaining time making as many memories with strangers as possible. His advice? Don’t work your life away. I ended up being the 435th stranger to get a matching tattoo with him. It was my first tattoo, and it’s a roll of medium format film. I got mine on my forearm and he got the same one on his knee. We still keep in touch to this day.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 416

What were some of the larger lessons that came out of advice from 1,000 strangers?

When you watch the news, you’re led to believe the world is all bad all the time everywhere. It’s hard to remind yourself that the news is often the worst of the worst of the worst things happening at any given time. For me, going through the experience of interacting with 1,000 strangers in the lower 48 states reminded me that most people are good or willing to be kind face to face, unlike what the news leads you to believe. I think another major lesson from the whole series is that as a human race, we likely have all the knowledge to prevent our own problems, and maybe for the first time in human history we also have access to that knowledge easily through the internet. Still, our imperfection leads us to make the same mistakes over and over again. There’s beauty in our imperfection, but it’s also just a lot of unnecessary, preventable pain.

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 117

What do you think we can gain from talking to people who might be outside of our social bubbles?

It’s a bit cliché, but the truth is that we have a lot more in common with one another than we realize. My hope with this series is that as viewers see the portraits and read the advice, they may look at the stranger who looks nothing like them, lives in a place far from them, and still experienced the same challenge as them. Our world is moving exponentially towards hyperspecific radicalization in every direction, so it’s more important than ever to broaden our horizons by making friends, or having conversations, with people who are different from us.

What's next for you? Anything exciting to share?

My hopes for 2023 are to get a book published with the portraits, life advice, and stories of my experiences going through America. I’m hoping to also secure an exhibition or two to present the work in the scale that I envision it. For now, nothing is concrete, but I’m sure that will change soon!

Photography of Strangers by Imran Nuri

Stranger No. 297

Imran Nuri: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Imran Nuri. 

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READ: Artist Travels Across the U.S. To Capture Portraits and Ask for Life Advice From 1,000 Strangers Along the Way [Interview]

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Stunning Photos of Polar Bears Relaxing in Fields of Flowers During Summer in the Arctic [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/polar-bears-lavendar-fields-martin-gregus/ Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:45:44 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=555009 Stunning Photos of Polar Bears Relaxing in Fields of Flowers During Summer in the Arctic [Interview]

Slovakian-born, Canada-based photographer Martin Gregus has gained acclaim for his documentation of polar bears. After several years of camping expeditions in the Arctic, where he slept within range of the bears, Gregus set out on a new adventure. This time, he was looking to capture the polar bears during the summer in order to see […]

READ: Stunning Photos of Polar Bears Relaxing in Fields of Flowers During Summer in the Arctic [Interview]

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Stunning Photos of Polar Bears Relaxing in Fields of Flowers During Summer in the Arctic [Interview] Polar Bear Laying in Field of Purple Flowers

Slovakian-born, Canada-based photographer Martin Gregus has gained acclaim for his documentation of polar bears. After several years of camping expeditions in the Arctic, where he slept within range of the bears, Gregus set out on a new adventure. This time, he was looking to capture the polar bears during the summer in order to see what new creative possibilities the season would provide.

The results are a beautiful portfolio of images that build on Gregus' previous experience and give new insight into these majestic animals. Particularly striking are his photographs of the polar bears in fields of purple flowers. Here, we see them peacefully napping and simply taking in the environment. In one image, it even looks like the bear is breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the moment.

Seeing these bears so natural and relaxed as they go about their day can easily be credited to Gregus' diligence and determination. Together with his team, he persevered through Arctic conditions and, through his presence, cultivated a connection with the polar bears. We had a chance to speak with Gregus about his inspiration for the trip and learn more about his adventures in an exclusive interview. Scroll down to read My Modern Met's chat and, if you want to learn more about what went on behind the scenes, check out Gregus' short documentary about his trip.

Polar Bear in a Field of Purple FlowersHow did your journey with photography begin?

My journey into photography began over 19 years ago when we first moved to Canada. My father was a well-known photographer and designer in Europe, so I always had it somewhere in my blood I guess. Moving to Canada, my dad all of a sudden had a nine-to-five job and, therefore, more time to spend with me. At first, we would go and photograph people, planes, ships… and then being so close to nature, my passion turned to animals.

Group of Three Polar BearsPolar Bear SwimmingWhat attracted you to photographing wildlife and, in particular, polar bears?

From a very young age, I had a passion for animals. I would spend my entire childhood in the zoo with my mom, interacting with animals I got to feed and befriending the white rhinos and cheetah cubs. When we were not at the zoo, I was modeling the animals from clay out of memory.

Then, when we moved, I was surrounded by nature. So, naturally, as my passion for photography developed so did my passion for wildlife photography. Then in 2008 and 2010, I took home third place and a win in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition which solidified my faith. It wasn’t until 2015 that I traveled to the Arctic on another project and fell in love with polar bears.

Polar Bear in a Field of Purple FlowersPhotographing a Polar Bear on a PhoneWhat inspired this series?

The inspiration came in 2015 when my dad and I were out on the water. We watched as a bear swam and underneath him, a pod of beluga whales played and blew bubbles. I knew I was filming something unique, and with that in mind came an idea: What if we documented these animals in the summertime?

Your work builds on your previous visits. What did you learn during those past encounters that helped make this series a success?

First of all, we learned how to be a little more comfortable. In 2020 when we went, our camp was only covered in the back, so we would constantly have to get up and monitor for bears. In 2021, we built our camp to be almost fully bear-proof so we could actually get uninterrupted sleep.

I also brought in a full truck of supplies, camera gear, and food. We even had a portable shower, but the wind blew it over on day two, and then a polar bear bit through the tank so that was short-lived. Aside from that, we were able to better prepare for the bears. I came with a whole new set of custom camera parts as well as a whole new list of ideas that we wanted to film.

Standing Polar Bear at SunsetPolar Bear Mamma and Her Cubs in a Field of Purple FlowersWhat was your biggest triumph during the shoot?

Ultimately the biggest triumph came when we got home and the story was published in some of the world's biggest magazines. But while we were there, the best stories came from the bears themselves. As they got used to our sounds and smells we could see them start to relax around us. The pinnacle of that relationship was watching a mom feed her cubs in the fireweed—an image that was on my list from day one.

Polar Bear Standing on a RockPolar Bear Mother and Cubs Laying in Field of FlowersWhat  was your biggest challenge?

As always, the biggest challenge didn’t come from the bears, but from the arctic environment itself. During the first five days of the trip in 2021, it was just me and my assistant Josh and it just so happened that these five days would be the most dangerous of not just the trip, but probably my life.

We constantly got tossed around in 80+ kilometers an hour [almost 50 mph] winds with gusts exceeding 100+ kilometers an hour [just over 62 mph]. The boat swayed, rocked, and often felt like it would break apart on the rocks. We fought to keep it parallel to the shore, but ultimately we gave up and hoped it would end soon. After five days it finally let up, but I can say with certainty that there were times on the satellite phone with my family when I wasn’t 100% confident we would make it through.

Aerial View of Polar Bear SwimmingBlack and White Photo of a Polar BearWhat do you hope that people take away from the work?

I hope people see my pictures and grow a little bit closer to our natural world and the polar bears. From what I can tell, this is already working. I get so many messages about how the bears have helped people through the toughest times, about how the videos are the calm they need to relax in their busy lives.

This is wonderful to see. The bears changed my life, they inspired me to be the best that I possibly can, and now they are inspiring the world to be the same. I just hope we can return the favor and protect them as much as they protected us.

Martin Gregus: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Martin Gregus.

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READ: Stunning Photos of Polar Bears Relaxing in Fields of Flowers During Summer in the Arctic [Interview]

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Photographer Captures Portraits of ‘Grandma Divers’ Who Free Dive Deep Into the Sea [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/alain-schroeder-grandma-divers-photography/ Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:20:48 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=564129 Photographer Captures Portraits of ‘Grandma Divers’ Who Free Dive Deep Into the Sea [Interview]

A group of women in the Korean province of Jeju dives deep beneath the water to collect seafood and other aquatic treasures. Known as Haenyeo (meaning “sea women”) they are part of a tradition that dates back to 434 CE. But they aren’t young people, as you might expect from a group who routinely conquers […]

READ: Photographer Captures Portraits of ‘Grandma Divers’ Who Free Dive Deep Into the Sea [Interview]

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Photographer Captures Portraits of ‘Grandma Divers’ Who Free Dive Deep Into the Sea [Interview] Grandma Divers by Alain Schroder

A group of women in the Korean province of Jeju dives deep beneath the water to collect seafood and other aquatic treasures. Known as Haenyeo (meaning “sea women”) they are part of a tradition that dates back to 434 CE. But they aren’t young people, as you might expect from a group who routinely conquers depths between 32 and 65 feet and can hold their breath for up to two minutes. The Haenyeo are mostly over the age of 60.

Photographer Alain Schroeder spent time with the women and introduces them to a broader audience in his series Grandma Divers. He first visited Jejudo Island in 2019, where he witnessed the divers gathering mollusks, seaweed, and more. They came out of the water with the backdrop of basalt (volcanic) rock, and he began photographing them using a telephoto lens. Captivated, Schroeder knew he needed to go back to shoot a dedicated portrait series.

Schroeder returned that September with an interpreter and was ready to shoot. The weather conditions weren’t ideal, and, at first, the Haenyeo were less than enthusiastic about him being there. Despite these challenges, the compelling portrait series is a striking look at the women who are treasured part of South Korean society and singlehandedly keep the freediving tradition alive.

We spoke with Schroeder about Grandma Divers, how it came together, and the history behind the incredible Haenyeo. Scroll down for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.

Photographer Alain Schroeder captures the women carrying on the Korean tradition of freediving in his series Grandma Divers. Learn more about it in My Modern Met's exclusive interview, below.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderHow did you get your start in photography?

When I was 16–17, I was studying fine arts, and I spent a lot of time at the library reading fine art books. When I had seen everything they had about painting, the librarian gave me some photography books. One was the famous French magazine PHOTO, and the first story I liked and remember was by a Japanese photographer, Kishin Shinoyama. It was a very interesting magazine as it mixed all kinds of photography—fashion, documentary, travel, war, and personal work—in one issue. After that, I discovered another famous magazine called ZOOM, and all the classic photographers like Cartier-Bresson, Koudelka… I was hooked and switched immediately from fine arts to photography.

As a student with very little money, I traveled to Afghanistan and caught the travel virus. It was the perfect combination of travel and photography but it wasn’t easy to make a living. Of course, you need a little bit of luck and that came by coincidence in the form of sports photography. I was asked to replace a tennis photographer who was sick. At first, I declined as I did not have the right (telephoto) lenses, but the magazine had its own equipment so I could not refuse. As a long-time tennis player, I knew immediately what to do and I captured the ball in almost all the pictures. The editor was impressed and he hired me. That was the beginning of my professional career and I haven’t stopped working since.

Grandma Divers by Alain Schroder(continued) In 1989, after 10 years of freelancing, I established Reporters, a photo agency, with two other photographers. Within a few years, it grew from 3 to more than 25 people doing all types of photography. Around 2000, business was getting harder due to the internet and the rise of digital cameras. While both were great advancements, competition became tougher and more diverse, not only from other agencies but now almost anyone could sell, or try to sell, pictures. Prices dropped. This revolution affected magazines and newspapers as well and the money suddenly disappeared. Magazines no longer offered assignments or guarantees and we were forced to explore other sources of revenue like corporate communications and video. In 2012, I sold my shares in order to travel the world and shoot personal projects focusing on social issues and human interest stories. I have been a professional photographer for 45 years. Technically, I am retired (67) but still working.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderYou capture really interesting subjects. How do you find your subject matter?

When I find something interesting, I do a print screen and file it on my computer. Years later, when I’m in a particular country, I have something to check or research that can eventually become a story, like the Grandma Divers series.

What kind of considerations do you take into account when creating a series?

I like to tell stories in a personal, visual way, through the sense of framing, the use of color or black and white… Shooting a series gives a better understanding of a story. In general, I am not a single-shot photographer. I think in series. Editing is key. You can tell one story or another by where you place the accent. Even here in a portrait series, the sequencing is important. I'm most interested in the in-depth reporting of stories relating to people and their environment. Various cultures, modes of living, rituals, and customs fascinate me. I strive to tell a story in 10–15 pictures, capturing the essence of an instant.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderThe Grandma Divers series is a compelling look at an aging group of women who free dive. What inspired you to capture their portraits?

The first time I saw a diver coming out of the water, I was struck by her black wetsuit against a black background created by the basalt rock of Jeju (in South Korea). I immediately had the vision of the portraits I wanted (black on black, in black and white) and I was lucky to get them.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderWhat was it like capturing the portraits of the women in Grandma Divers? Can you tell us a little more about them?

The overwhelming majority of Haenyeo are over the age of 60. Most of the ladies I shot were in their late 60s, early 70s. They are freediving to 10–20 meters, holding their breath for up to two full minutes! This occupation is highly regulated and organized by local fisheries. Divers adhere to strict rules regarding who can dive, when, where, what they can harvest, and allotted quantities. It is a difficult, risky lifestyle that is rapidly disappearing as young women choose to pursue other careers. Most of the divers told me they did not encourage their children to dive. Most of the women have been diving for 30–40 years or even longer. Their days are long. They can spend up to 7 hours a day in the cold water battling currents. Divers are separated by category and only the older, more experienced, divers can go further out and deeper. Today, they dive according to the tides and the weather and it is much more regulated than in the past.

Although freediving for seafood has existed for many centuries in Jeju, the practice was taken over by women in the 18th century, transforming the region into a semi-matriarchal society. Women were responsible for most of the household income, but numbers have dwindled since the 1970s as other opportunities (cultivating mandarin oranges and developing tourism) offer less arduous working conditions. There are still about 4,000 ladies who make a living by collecting delicacies from the sea. Today, they are celebrated as a national treasure and inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with a dedicated museum in Hado-ri, Gujwa-eup, on Jeju island.

Grandma Divers by Alain Schroder(continued) The first time I went was in March and I saw them coming out of the water in a protected bay with a basalt (volcanic) rock in the distance. I shot with a telephoto lens and the background was totally black. With the wetsuit, that black-on-black was visually interesting. That was the start, but it was not the right season so I decided to go back in September. Then another problem appeared; a tropical storm and nobody was diving for one week. With only a few days left, I decided to buy a piece of black cloth and shoot the divers in front of it wherever I could. On one particular day, it was raining quite hard so the ladies were waiting to dive. I was lucky to be able to take advantage of that moment.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderCan you take us through your stylistic choices?

As I said, I had the vision of the portraits I wanted (black, because of the color of their neoprene suit, on black in black and white). I attached the black backdrop with ropes and rocks to the side of one of their diving houses (a small structure made of volcanic rock) because it was very windy. I chose a location that would remain shaded if there was a break in the clouds as I did not want any sun in the pictures. I used a wide-angle lens to go close with a more dramatic effect, and I used low-angle shots to make the women appear stronger in the frame. The grey light was perfect to set the mood for the pictures. When I finally had divers willing to be photographed and permission to hang my backdrop, it rained almost the whole day and I had to shoot holding an umbrella. The good news about the rain is that it gives a nice sheen to the neoprene suit.

Grandma Divers by Alain Schroder(continued) These women wear their experiences on their (wrinkled) faces. Their lifestyle is difficult and dangerous, but it is what they have been doing their whole lives and they are proud of their traditions. The women were difficult to engage even though I had a local fixer who spoke Korean and their dialect. Many of them were indifferent. To keep them standing in front of the backdrop long enough to get the shots, I asked them to demonstrate their daily gestures of preparation and at the same time respond to questions about their lives. The idea was to keep them busy for a few minutes without just standing there. A few ladies simply refused to participate. It is the first time that people did not react enthusiastically to the pictures. I don’t really understand why as I had a young assistant who spoke their dialect and we did not make any cultural mistakes, and at the end of the shooting, we bought some of their seafood and ate it. I think they have too much pressure from locals (there are almost no Western tourists) who want to shoot selfies with them and at a certain point, it is too much. The work they do is really hard and most simply prefer to be left alone.

In the end, I was able to follow my stylistic choices; black on black with a focus on the texture. I wanted the pictures to have the same look and feel while depicting different aspects of their life.

Grandma Divers by Alain SchroderWhen you photograph groups like Grandma Divers, how do you view your role as a photographer? What are your concerns as you work?

I try to show various cultures and lifestyles; maybe show something you are not aware of.

Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy shooting this series as the women were not very cooperative despite my best efforts to work quickly and disturb their routine as little as possible. But Grandma Divers seems to be a popular series. Probably the right combination of drama, aesthetics, age, and harsh weather. It is the magic of photography.

What's on the horizon for you? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

A few years ago, I shot a story called Saving Orangutans which won two World Press and one POYI. I just came back from Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo) where I spent 2 months completing that story with pictures illustrating the numerous environmental issues contributing to the destruction of their habitat.

Grandma Divers by Alain Schroder

Alain Schroeder: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alain Schroeder.

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READ: Photographer Captures Portraits of ‘Grandma Divers’ Who Free Dive Deep Into the Sea [Interview]

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Photographer Uses Soulful Portraiture To Shed Light the Plight of Spanish Greyhounds [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/travis-patenaude-galgos-portraits/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:35:40 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=562535 Photographer Uses Soulful Portraiture To Shed Light the Plight of Spanish Greyhounds [Interview]

Photographer Travis Patenaude finds his life's purpose in photography. As someone who was once on the brink of something irreparable, he found a sort of salvation by adopting a dog named Leena. The dog was a Spanish Greyhound, more commonly known as a Galgo, that had been abused and was on the edge of death. […]

READ: Photographer Uses Soulful Portraiture To Shed Light the Plight of Spanish Greyhounds [Interview]

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Photographer Uses Soulful Portraiture To Shed Light the Plight of Spanish Greyhounds [Interview] Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis Patenaude

Photographer Travis Patenaude finds his life's purpose in photography. As someone who was once on the brink of something irreparable, he found a sort of salvation by adopting a dog named Leena. The dog was a Spanish Greyhound, more commonly known as a Galgo, that had been abused and was on the edge of death. Patenaude and his wife rescued Leena, and she, in turn, rescued him, too.

The couple learned about Leena’s life in Spain and the horrible circumstances that Galgos face. They are fast and athletic hunting dogs, but when they are no longer useful to their owners, they are disposed of. Patenaude was determined to do his part to help these creatures. He and his wife started an adoption group for them in Chicago. It was also when he learned photography, using YouTube videos as a way to teach himself how to create compelling and empathetic imagery.

“When I was first starting in photography,” Patenaude tells My Modern Met, “I was told, ‘Shoot what you are passionate about, and it will show through in your images.’ My passion is for telling the story of the hunting dogs of Spain.”

Patendaude saw how translating his passion can impact others. “During a trip to Spain to volunteer at a shelter, I took a photo of a very scared black Galgo who was covered in scars and very thin. When I showed people the photo, I saw their reaction to the photo and how they felt the dog's fear, and it evoked empathy for the dog in the image.”

We spoke with Patenaude about the plight of the Galgo and how you can help. Scroll down for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.

Content warning: Mention of suicidal ideation and descriptions of animal abuse.

Photographer Travis Patenaude finds his life's purpose in photography. He creates soulful portraits of Spanish Greyhounds, more commonly known as Galgo, which are routinely abused and need our help.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeHow did you get started in photography?

In October 2012, I was dealing with a very dark depression and came very close to hanging myself in my garage. Luckily, I realized what was happening and was able to stop myself. A week later, my wife and I adopted a very scared Spanish Greyhound whose owner was going to hang her in a tree because she was no longer useful to him. The irony was not lost on me.

We spent months working with her to help her learn to trust people again, and because of this, I forgot about my depression. She literally saved my life.

We learned more about Leena's life in Spain and wanted to help, so we started an adoption group for Galgos here in Chicago. We have never been to Spain, did not know anyone in Spain, and could not speak Spanish, but we were determined to help.

After our first transport of four dogs from Spain, we had to promote the dogs for adoption which required taking photos of them. My adoption photos were not very good at that time. We were lucky to have a professional photographer from Hearts Speak come out and take photos of our adoptable dogs. After seeing her images, I knew I had to figure out how to take better photos. I started watching YouTube videos and purchasing several videos. I set a goal to pay it forward and become a member of Hearts Speak and offer photos to dogs looking for their forever homes. One year later, I was able to become a proud member of Hearts Speak.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeSpanish Hunting Dogs by Travis Patenaude For those who are unfamiliar, can you tell us more about Galgos? 

After adopting Leena, and seeing how traumatized she was, we needed to know more about her past and the life of the hunting dogs of Spain.

Galgo Españols (Spanish greyhounds) are mainly used for hunting or coursing hares. During the annual hunting season that runs from October to January, many live in deplorable dark sheds when they are not coursing, spending their days confined and neglected. Training techniques are barbaric and include towing Galgo’s from cars, trucks, and motorcycles at 30mph for 15–20 miles.

Known as Galgueros, hunters dispose of Galgos at the end of hunting season in the most horrific ways imaginable… hung from trees, thrown into wells, starved, beaten to death, or abandoned. It is estimated that tens of thousands of Galgos are killed every year.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis Patenaude(continued) A favorite among hunters to dispose of unwanted Galgos is called “piano playing.” The Galgo is tied around the neck and hung in a tree so that the poor dog barely reaches the ground with its hind paws, trying to balance and “dancing” back and forth with the back legs and paws, barely on the ground, to avoid strangulation. Being killed in this way is a slow death and the dog experiences panic, anxiety, despair, and unimaginable pain. The suffocation can take hours and sometimes even days. At the end, when the Galgo can no longer manage to stand on its hind legs, exhausted in the snare, the dog finally suffocates to death.

If merely abandoned, they are purposely hobbled so that they cannot physically return to the hunter. Those that survive abandonment languish in state-run shelters where they inevitably die.

The excessive, uncontrolled breeding and mass abandonment of dogs at the end of hunting season leaves a massive population of starving and sick dogs.

Associations in Spain rescue and rehabilitate as many dogs as possible so that they have a chance at a future and a forever home. The Galgo is a truly precious and noble breed. Although not considered pets by Galgueros, they are wonderful companions, affectionate, and eternally grateful for a second chance.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeSpanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeWhat do you like about photographing animals?

I love photographing dogs; their emotions are so unfiltered. I love to capture their personality and show people how I see these beautiful dogs through my eyes. I have learned to be able to read dogs’ body language and this has helped me greatly with being able to communicate with the dogs and help them relax and be comfortable in the studio when I photograph them. This has allowed me to capture natural expressions from the dogs.

After taking the photo of the very traumatized black Galgo at the shelter, I discovered the power of photography and telling a story in a single frame. I suffer from severe dyslexia and inattentive ADHD, I have always found it difficult for me to communicate and express myself. When we had to say goodbye to Leena in April 2015 due to cancer, I promised I would be a voice for Leena and the hunting dogs of Spain. I learned photography with the specific goal to raise awareness and share the story of the hunting dogs of Spain through photography.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeSpanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeWhat is your goal in representing Gaglos on camera?

I want to show people how I see these beautiful, intelligent, athletic, fragile, and loving dogs through my eyes. I came across Tim Flach’s book Endangered and after researching him, I learned about how he evokes emotions in his images by taking animals and separating them, concentrating on them as subjects and as individuals with personalities, and the importance of empathy. Once I started applying this to my images, I was able to show these dogs truly as I see them.

My image Saying Goodbye was created to honor Leena for saving my life and giving me this new voice through photography. I purchased my first DSLR in August 2014, with the goal to tell the story of these dogs through photography and show how I see them through my eyes. Leena gave me this new voice through photography and my goal is to share her story with everyone I can.

What do you hope to achieve by doing so?

My main goal is to raise awareness about the situation of these dogs in Spain and as more people learn about them, hopefully, more pressure can be put on Spain to change the laws and regulations to protect these dogs.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeSpanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeMany people may feel compelled to want to help the Galgos. How can they help?

One of the most important things is to share their story. If they are animal lovers, then most of their friends are animal lovers also. As more people are aware of their plight, more pressure can be put on the Spanish government to change the laws and include the hunting dogs of Spain in the animal welfare laws.

People can volunteer at a shelter in Spain for a day or a week. If you are a veterinarian, you can volunteer at a shelter and perform spay and neutering for their dogs. Dog trainers that are experienced with positive reinforcement and dogs that have endured abuse.

Shelters can also use help with social media, fundraising, foster homes, and adoptable homes. Galgos are very smart and very good at problem-solving. They are also very good jumpers and require a 6-foot fence or commitment to leash walk only. Galgos should not be off leash in open areas as they can reach full speed within two strides and can run at full speed for 10–12 miles. Galgos are usually very good with other dogs as they were raised around many dogs and several live happily with cats and small dogs.

If you travel to Spain from the United States, you may be able to help transport dogs from Spain to adoption groups here in the U.S. Flights would need to be direct flights from Spain to the final destination in the U.S. There are several groups in the U.S that find loving homes for dogs from Spain.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis PatenaudeHow do you think photography can help others?

I was really drawn to photography and the ability to tell stories through a single image that has no language barrier, which can make them more powerful than the written word. Photography has helped me be more open about my depression. I find a part of me in each of my images of the Galgos. When you open yourself up and allow yourself to be vulnerable and in the moment, it shows in the images. Photography can act as non-verbal communication, which can be very helpful when dealing with issues like depression or anxiety when you feel isolated due to stigma.

What's on the horizon for you? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

I’m planning on additional trips to volunteer at the shelters in Spain to continue to highlight the amazing work the shelters and volunteers do to rescue these dogs. In April I will be doing a presentation at the Animal Image Makers Conference to talk about Photo-Activism—Photography with a Purpose.

Spanish Hunting Dogs by Travis Patenaude

Travis Patenaude: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Travis Patenaude.

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READ: Photographer Uses Soulful Portraiture To Shed Light the Plight of Spanish Greyhounds [Interview]

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Liz Climo Shares the Story Behind Her New Uplifting Book of Adorable Animal Comics [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/liz-climo-im-so-happy-youre-here/ Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:45:30 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=544171 Liz Climo Shares the Story Behind Her New Uplifting Book of Adorable Animal Comics [Interview]

For years, former The Simpsons cartoonist Liz Climo has been creating adorable animal comics. Filled with positivity, her cute cast of characters focuses on self-love, perseverance, and finding joy in life’s ups and downs. Coming off the heels of You're Mom and You're Dad, her newly released third picture book for adults takes a look at the care we […]

READ: Liz Climo Shares the Story Behind Her New Uplifting Book of Adorable Animal Comics [Interview]

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Liz Climo Shares the Story Behind Her New Uplifting Book of Adorable Animal Comics [Interview]
Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're Here

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For years, former The Simpsons cartoonist Liz Climo has been creating adorable animal comics. Filled with positivity, her cute cast of characters focuses on self-love, perseverance, and finding joy in life’s ups and downs. Coming off the heels of You're Mom and You're Dad, her newly released third picture book for adults takes a look at the care we need to show ourselves.

I'm So Happy You're Here, published by Flatiron Books, gives us the pep talk we need when we might be feeling down. Across nearly 100 pages, Climo's delightful animal comics act as our own personal cheerleaders. Whether it's saying a positive phrase or sharing a reminder that it's ok to feel down, Climo's characters pull through in our time of need.

We had a chance to ask Climo about the impetus behind her new book and how it builds on her previous work. Climo also shares why she feels that it's important to put compassion into her work and how words of affirmation have been important for her personally. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and pick up your copy of I'm So Happy You're Here, which is available online and in all major bookstores.

Liz Climo Signing BooksHow do you feel I'm So Happy You’re Here builds on your previous work?

In my previous work, I feel like I focused a lot on care for others—friends, family, etc. The Rory the Dinosaur series, as well as You’re Mom, You’re Dad, and You’re Loved, is about parenting or taking on a parental role, while my comic compilations are largely about love in friendship. With this book, I wanted to really focus on how we care for ourselves. I think we tend to neglect our own self-worth, and it’s really important that we direct the love we give to others back onto ourselves sometimes.

Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're HereWhy do you feel that it's important, as an artist, to put positive content into the world?

I certainly don’t think everyone needs to be making positive content and don’t agree with forced positivity either (if you’re feeling bad, sometimes you just need to sit in that feeling for a bit). I try to put compassion into my work in a way that makes people feel good, and hopefully do it in a way that isn’t too outwardly sentimental. I think it’s something I’m good at, and I’ve decided to keep doing that as long as it feels natural to me. Life can be so hard, and the goal of my work is to bring people a bit of joy.

Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're HereWhy do you think that your animal characters resonate, even with adults?

Animals are complex in their own way, but really pure in their motivations. Our relationships with our pets, for instance—I don’t hold a grudge against my dog when he poops on the rug, or feel hurt when he doesn’t greet me at the door. The relationship is deep and meaningful but completely uncomplicated. I think these animal characters are able to strip down pretty complex emotions and get to the heart of the issue in a way that’s very relatable.

Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're HereWhat do you hope that people take away from the book?

I want people to pick up this book whenever it’s needed. It’s actually even helped me—there have been times since I wrote the book where I’m feeling a bit sad, and then I remember certain parts of the story and I feel a little better! It’s really hard for a lot of us to allow ourselves to feel loved, and to feel joy. I want this book to be a reminder that these are normal feelings, and that we are all worthy of love and happiness.

Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're HereHow are words of affirmation important to you, as an artist?

As an artist, I think words of affirmation allow me to keep doing my work, and to not worry so much about it not being good enough. As an anxious person, I try to practice positive self-talk just to make moving through the world feel a bit less daunting. Instead of “don’t do this” or “why did you do that” I try hard to speak kindly to myself, as if I were talking to somebody I love. This book is here to speak kindly to you when you are struggling to do it for yourself.

Liz Climo - I'm So Happy You're HereHow do you feel that your art has grown or changed since your last publication?

I am trying to worry less about mistakes I’ve made and concentrate more on how I can learn and grow. I don’t think I could have written this book before because I don’t think I was in a place where I could speak as kindly to myself. At the time, it was much easier for me to talk about loving friends, or family, or my child, because that just felt so natural to me. But ultimately, your relationship with yourself is really important, and also needs attention. I feel like I’m finally comfortable enough to address that.

Liz Climo: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Flatiron books.

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READ: Liz Climo Shares the Story Behind Her New Uplifting Book of Adorable Animal Comics [Interview]

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Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/levon-biss-extinct-endangered/ Sat, 17 Sep 2022 13:45:14 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=540912 Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview]

For three years, British photographer Levon Biss worked tirelessly to capture every hair, feature, and fiber of rare insects from the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Known for his ability to bring out their beauty with his macro photography, Biss's meticulous method of photographing the specimens has culminated in the Extinct and Endangered exhibition. This ongoing […]

READ: Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview]

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Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview]
Extinct and Endangered by Levon Biss

Sphingicampa raspa (Raspa silkmoth)

For three years, British photographer Levon Biss worked tirelessly to capture every hair, feature, and fiber of rare insects from the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Known for his ability to bring out their beauty with his macro photography, Biss's meticulous method of photographing the specimens has culminated in the Extinct and Endangered exhibition. This ongoing exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History shows all 40 of Biss's photographs and encourages the public to gain a new appreciation for these insects.

Over 10,000 individual images are used in each photo as Biss spends weeks photographing every part of the specimen. The insects, selected for their conservation status, habitat, and order, weave a tale about the fragile state of the world's insect population. Though vital to humans, insects are often underappreciated and misunderstood. And, unfortunately, this can result in great harm to insects that play a vital role in the ecosystem.

By highlighting their diversity and allowing the public to drink in the rich details of these insects, Biss is hoping to use his artistic skills to enact change.  We had the opportunity to speak with Biss about why insects inspire him, how he went about photographing the specimens, and what the public can do to change the fate of these insects. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and check out all the images on the Extinct and Endangered website.

Macro Photo of a Ladybug by Levon Biss

Coccinella novemnotata (Nine-spotted ladybug)

I know that you were initially drawn to macro photography after your son found an insect in the backyard and you looked at it under a microscope. Can you share what that moment felt like when you viewed it and how that translates into what you are currently doing?

I remember quite clearly the first time I viewed an insect under a microscope. I had the feeling of entering an entirely new world. I was viewing something for the very first time, and it was intricate, mechanical, and beautiful. I felt as though I had just opened a treasure chest of photographic material, and I just couldn't wait to explore the insect world further. A decade on, I still feel the same way today, which does surprise me. I continue to be inspired by insects for many reasons. They are visually interesting, they are functional, and they are diverse in design. They are many things, but every new insect I photograph teaches me more.

Luzon peacock swallowtail butterfly

Papilio Achilles chikae chikae (Luzon peacock swallowtail)

Has conservation always been something that fascinated you, or has that evolved along with your macro photography?

I would say the conservation side of my work has certainly evolved and become more prominent since I started photographing insects. When you spend pretty much every waking hour photographing insects, it tends to take over your world; when those insects are being threatened by human influence, it makes sense to steer your work in a direction that brings attention to the issues of insect decline and biodiversity loss. Insects do not receive the attention or protection they deserve, particularly compared to mammals. I have a skill set that allows me to communicate through photography. Therefore it is my duty to help highlight these issues to the general public.

Extinct and Endangered by Levon Biss

Magicicada septendecim (Pharaoh cicada)

For Extinct and Endangered, the species that you photographed were selected from the American Museum of Natural History's vast collection. How did you go about selecting what to photograph?

The specimens photographed for Extinct and Endangered were selected due to their order, conservation status, and geographical location. The majority of specimens are critically endangered, with a number already extinct—gone from this planet forever. There are, though, some specimens from breeding programs that are trying to restore species populations that are under threat of extinction, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, for example. These programs provide encouragement that threatened species can be brought back from the edge.

Macro Photo of a King Christmas Beetle

Anoplognathus viridiaeneus (King Christmas beetle)

What surprises you the most about these insects when you start photographing them?

The diversity is the most striking thing about insects for me. They adapt so well to their specific environments, and this brings about a whole range of visual interests, which as a photographer, is an ideal scenario. Every insect I photograph shows me something I haven't seen before, whether it's a different type of hair or an unusual design of mouthparts. I photograph at a level of magnification that cannot be seen with the human eye; it is actually way beyond that. Therefore, everything I photograph is new to me, and it makes me curious and eager to learn more.

Macro Photo of a Bumblebee by Levon Biss

Bombus dahlbomii (Patagonian bumblebee)

Can you take us through your setup for photographing these insects and how long it takes to arrive at the final product? 

The insects are photographed on a bespoke camera rig using microscope lenses. Each image is created from over 10,000 individual photographs and takes three weeks to create. When you shoot at high magnification, there is very little in the image that is in focus, and therefore we have to take many images, each with a tiny slice of focus, and squash them together to create an image that is fully focused from front to back.

I will also divide the insect into many different sections and shoot them separately, changing the lighting on each section to make it look as beautiful as possible. For example, the lighting on an eye will be completely different from a wing because it is a different shape, reflectiveness, and opacity. The lighting technique used depends on the qualities of the area of the insect body being photographed.

Extinct and Endangered Photo by Levon Biss

Pseudocharis minima (Lesser wasp moth)

What has been the most rewarding part of putting together this show?

The most rewarding part is seeing the children engaging with the photography and accompanying scientific text. They are curious about the giant insects and are experiencing something for the first time. The exhibition is certainly entertaining, but the photographs are also an educational tool. If the children viewing the work at the museum and online learn a little more about the importance of insects, then I would consider the project a success. They are the next decision-makers in society, and the more we can help them appreciate nature, the better.

Melanoplus spretus

Melanoplus spretus (Rocky Mountain locust)

How do you hope that this work can break stereotypes that we may have about insects?

We need to break away from the stereotypical mindset of insects being bad or negative. In reality, there are very few insect species on this planet that can do us any real harm, yet they are treated and portrayed as a danger or threat. They are the complete opposite. Insects do so many positive jobs for us humans, but this goes unnoticed. They pollinate our crops to supply us with food, decompose organic material, recycle nutrients in our soil….the list goes on. Humans need insects far more than insects need humans, and I think we should understand that. We should celebrate them, not portray them as the bad guys.

Osmia calaminthae Macro Photo

Osmia calaminthae (Blue calamintha bee)

What can we, as ordinary people, do to ensure that these species will endure and thrive once again?

There is useful information on the introduction page of the Extinct and Endangered website. There are numerous reasons why insect numbers are declining, from habitat loss to climate change, from pesticides to fertilizers. From a public perspective, just simple changes such as growing more wildflowers in your backyard or turning lights off at night can help. It is also important, though, to lobby the people in charge, whether that is your councilor or governor, whatever politician is accessible to you. Encourage them to protect wild spaces, the benefits of which we will all share, no matter what political persuasion we are.

Sabertooth longhorn beetle

Macrodontia cervicornis (Sabertooth longhorn beetle)

Levon Biss: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Levon Biss.

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READ: Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview]

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Over 20,000 Pounds of Recycled Materials Used to Create Interactive Light Installation at Burning Man [Interview] https://mymodernmet.com/last-ocean-jen-lewin/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:30:33 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=541596 Over 20,000 Pounds of Recycled Materials Used to Create Interactive Light Installation at Burning Man [Interview]

After a two-year break, Burning Man came back, and with it came the innovative art installations that the festival is known for. This included an interactive LED sculpture made from recycled ocean plastic and glass by artist-engineer Jen Lewin. The Last Ocean is a large sculpture and light platform made from 10,912 pounds of recycled plastic […]

READ: Over 20,000 Pounds of Recycled Materials Used to Create Interactive Light Installation at Burning Man [Interview]

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Over 20,000 Pounds of Recycled Materials Used to Create Interactive Light Installation at Burning Man [Interview]
Interactive Sculpture at Burning Man by Jen Lewin

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

After a two-year break, Burning Man came back, and with it came the innovative art installations that the festival is known for. This included an interactive LED sculpture made from recycled ocean plastic and glass by artist-engineer Jen Lewin. The Last Ocean is a large sculpture and light platform made from 10,912 pounds of recycled plastic and 9,268 pounds of glass fiber and recycled composites from coastal beach communities in South Africa.

Visitors were invited to interact with Lewin's installation, as 250 interlocking platforms of The Last Ocean illuminated over 70,000 RGB LED lights in millions of colors as people moved across the space. As users were in motion, colors swirled, catalyzing the dynamic experience of the work and representing the organic and powerful nature of the ocean. As the weekend went on, the lights in the platform began to fade, as a prompt for visitors to remember their impact on the ocean.

A bear named Ursa Minor stands at one end of the platform. Its presence is a reminder of the Arctic, which is fitting given that Lewin's installation was inspired by images of Antarctica's Ross Sea. By day, the bear's recycled materials shine bright, and by night they take on the fantastical colors of the platforms.

Luckily, The Last Ocean has a life beyond Burning Man and will be set up in several different locations. We spoke with Lewin about this, as well as the challenges of creating an installation from 100% post-consumer materials. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

 

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How did you come up with the idea for the installation?

In 2012, I first conceptualized The Last Ocean sculpture after meeting John Weller and previewing his book The Last Ocean: Antarctica's Ross Sea Project: Saving the Most Pristine Ecosystem on Earth. Weller’s photos included a series of beautiful images collected from Antarctica’s Ross Sea that profoundly touched me.

The vast fractured landscape of ice left me with a sense of epic beauty and awe, but also a deep protective concern for the landscape's future. I was both inspired by the Ross Ice Shelf’s natural beauty, but also terrified by the melting and potential destruction of such an important landscape.

Sculpture Using Ocean Plastic by Jen Lewin

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

The Last Ocean was a long time in the making. What was the most challenging part of bringing your vision to life? 

It took well over 10 years for me to figure out a way to authentically create The Last Ocean in a way that felt socially conscious and authentic to the work. The most challenging part of this ended up being finding manufacturers who would fabricate with large percentages of recycled post-consumer material. Most American and European plastic fabricators do use post-consumer material, but only in very small percentages.

Few fabricators were willing to even talk to my team and me when I insisted that The Last Ocean be created from 100% post-consumer content. After two years of rejection, we finally found Ocean Plastic Technologies in Durban, South Africa, who was willing and open to taking on the project.

The Last Ocean by Jen Lewin

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

Can you share a bit about the collaborators who helped you source your materials?

I began working with Ocean Plastic Technologies in 2021, which helped us hand source all ocean and ocean-bound plastic, hand clean and sort it, and then use it to fabricate our panels. In January 2022, Mikael Flores-Amper, lead designer and project manager at Jen Lewin Studio, and I flew to South Africa and helped directly in this process. It took several attempts to figure out the right melt temperatures, correct oven design, and correct mold shape to create our 100% post-consumer surfaces.
The vast majority of plastics used in the work include blue bottle caps (which create blue particulate swirls in the tops), clear water bottles (which make up most of the LED diffusion material), and white containers (such as milk jugs), which form the rest of the structure.

The Last Ocean by Jen Lewin

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

How did it feel to see the installation active and working at Burning Man?

Burning Man is an exciting place to premier a work like The Last Ocean for two important reasons. First, the landscape itself is a barren, open and expansive playa, that creates an unusual and epic canvas or backdrop for a work of this scale. I have few opportunities to install work of full scale in an open landscape.

Second, the participants at Burning Man have a high level of open and expected engagement—few guests  “tiptoe” around.  The sculpture is truly “played with,” often in unexpected ways. My team and I have watched as participants dance on the work, picnic on the work, sit and watch the work, do yoga on the work, play tag on the work, do handstands on the work, take naps on the work, kiss loved ones on the work, etc. We are often surprised, excited, and possibly even inspired by how participants at Burning Man engage with their environment.

The Last Ocean Lit Up at Night on the Playa

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

Why do you think it's important for artists to engage in social issues as part of their creative process?

For me, “Art” and “Life” are entirely intertwined. There is no edge condition where my experience as a human on this planet differs from my experience conceptualizing and building art. My life is filled with social engagement; community and society are reliant on our living environment. My artwork follows—it is engaged in our society and community, and it is reliant on our planet and environment.

Last Ocean by Jen Lewin at Sunset at Burning Man 2022

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

What do you hope that people take away when they experience the installation?

There are many different ways to think about climate change, precious resources (like the Ross Ice Shelf), or planetary problems like existing plastic waste. When it comes to plastic waste, while ultimately, I believe that humans need to put an end to the appalling levels of single- or limited-use plastic production, in the interim, we will also need a solution for the hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic already in the ocean.

I hope that transforming my practice to more closely engage and pay attention to the preciousness of our planet can help set an example for other artists, fabricators, and the like. I am not promising a solution but pushing to activate engagement, awareness, and open communication that I hope can lead to solution finding and a better future.

The Last Ocean by Jen Lewin

Photo: Matt Emmi / Jen Lewin Studio

What are the plans for the installation now that Burning Man is over?

The installation will be traveling to downtown Detroit, then to Arizona, and on to the Exploratorium in San Francisco in November.

Jen Lewin: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Jen Lewin Studio.

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READ: Over 20,000 Pounds of Recycled Materials Used to Create Interactive Light Installation at Burning Man [Interview]

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