INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES REEVE AFTER DRIES VAN NOTEN

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Sun, 2012-03-11 14:06

DriesVanNoten,JamesReeve,Lightscapes,SS2012,London

The story might be familiar to some. Dries Van Noten, the Belgian designer and Master of Prints was president of the jury at the Hyeres International Festival of Fashion and Photography in 2010. His taste and intriguing aesthetic caught up the works of a young photographer, finalist of the Festival of Photography, who made a series entitled "Lightscapes". The fairytale for James Reeve, was about to begin...His work, stills of city lights in London, Beirut, Marseilles and Las Vegas were about inspire Van Noten's next catwalk. And the result, as we witnessed it, was astonishing. We met James, the Marseille-based British photographer, somewhere between Australian airport waiting areas and onboard gates as his program is quite hectic lately. Ladies and gentlemen, let's investigate an extraordinary collaboration. Et Voila!

So, James, Lightscapes was your first attend to the fashion world? How did you perceive the honor given by Hyeres International Festival?

Yes it was, apart from my old assisting days of course. Hyeres, as with the National Portrait Gallery, was a great moment for me. I had been working on this project for a long time so I was really happy when they called to say the work had been selected for the festival. I was very surprised when I received a phone call from Dries Van Noten. I had never imagined that the work could be used in this way. I met with Dries to discuss his idea and then I worked closely with Lily Heine -Head of Prints at DVN- and other people in his team during the whole collaboration. The experience was really great!

Can you give us an insight on your Lightscapes series?

The night has intrigued and inspired me for many years. In the past I experimented with the traditional technique of shooting very long exposures, to embrace the unique characteristics given to landscapes by the moon and artificial city lights. Working on Lightscapes, I have been exploring the night in a new way stripping away conventional visual references to focus not on the landscape itself but on the vivid scars of light that pierce the darkness. Vast industrialized cities, isolated village communities and iconic landmarks are represented as graphic patterns of light, whilst the contours of buildings are stripped away to reveal only the contents within. Life itself.

You have exprerimented in such different genres of photography, from reportage and portraiture to contemporary documentary projects. "Banned", a photographic essay you shot in Afganistan in the aftermath of the Taliban, received widespread acclaim and several international awards. Images were even exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London. How do you feel about all that?

Each project I have worked on has helped me build up a deeper understanding of myself and my work. I have found it very liberating to move between different genres, not constraining myself in any way. The project in Afganistan had a profound effect on me, by helping me develop a much more considered approach to hte subjects and environments I captured. I felt very privileged to go there and experience such a different country. Being there with Afghan people helps you understand at least in part how deep many of their frustrations are at the situation there. It has been completely ravaged for so long that most of them know of no other life than one immersed in war. I find it very sad that the situation has changed so little, if at all you could argue, since I was there in 2004.

As for being given exposure for your work is a great boost for a carear in the arts and being selected as a finalist for the portrait prize at the National Portrait Gallery was a big moment for me. It gives you a lot of confidence to know that other creative people admire your work.

How did you start commiting to photography?

I spent some time assisting fashion and advertising photographers in the late 90s, to build up experiece and technical knowledge. At the same time I was building up my own portfolio of work and eventually I stopped assisting, to focus on my won projects.

What is art for you?

Creative self-expression.

Would you ever consider fashion being an art expression?

Sure!. I think although most fashion is generally considered to be something practical to wear there is a lot of work that can be considered as both fashion and art. I just had an exhibition in Altanta, where I discovered the work of Amy Flurry and Nikki Salk (Paper-Cut-Project), their work is just amazing!