Interviewing
Jean-Sébastien Monzani
I’ve been following Jean’s work at deviantART [www.deviantart.com] since early this year. His works and professional life-patterns led me to want to know more about him. I asked him for some help and this is the result of it so far. This interview is not only result of that curiosity of mine, but also part of an ongoing master degree investigation, a work in progress. The subject of my project is “Future Memory - Histories of life” and is related to the celebration of the International Day of Histories of Life (May 16th). The event itself is fruit of an international network of virtual museums (which includes museums from Portugal, Brasil, Canada and the United States).
Histories of Life “People who are outside the institutional arrangement and whose practice of living deserves emphasis. It is intended to strengthen a movement critical enabling collect and share memories and stories of life that have served as agents of change in local communities and society in general.”
as distant cities fade away - 1 [http://jsmonzani.com]
© Alda Silva _ Page 1
Alda Silva (AS): For how long have you been What were the biggest adversities you found working in Design and Photography? How did back then? you start? Actually, I’ve been quite lucky to start this J-S. Monzani (JSM): I’ve worked for friends since activity besides my other job – therefore, I’ve 2002, but it became serious in 2006, when I’ve never been sitting at my desk, waiting for clients started my part-time freelance work - besides to call me. teaching Computer Science at the university. On October 2007, this became my main activity. Do have any role models? If so, who are they and how did they influence your work?
Is there any special thing about your work that you like the most? What I like the most is the act of creation. Taking the photo, expecting to get something great at the end is what I like most. But bear in mind that photos are usually personal projects, which are different from having to deal with a client.
What do you think that are the “must-have” qualities of a good professional, either a I wouldn’t say I have role models, but there are photographer or a designer? a lot of artists that I like: Jeanloup Sieff, Gregory Crewdson, Desiree Dolron, Peter Lindbergh. - Be a social person: don’t be afraid to discuss Lindbergh maybe had the biggest influence on with the clients, listen to their needs but also my work because he does photo-stories too. I be honest and stick to your opinion if you think admire these other artists but my works are just that they are wrong. different. I love painters too, Edward Hopper, - Master your tools (camera, computer…) and René Magritte, C.D. Friedrich etc. love them. You must have pleasure to use them and they shouldn’t block you. There’s no need in getting expensive equipment if you don’t like You say you are “passionate” about your work; it a lot or don’t know how to use it much. does that make your work easier? - Understand the functionality, that is, what the client is trying to communicate. Then, propose Obviously yes! :) I won’t say that I’m enthusiast an artistic approach to it. on every work but at least, I love my job. If it - Organize yourself, plan and follow your wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t had taken the risk to projects with at least a todo list. work as a freelance artist. - Devote time to personal projects, grow and explore other things than what you usually do.
Technique vs emotion [http://jsmonzani.com] © Alda Silva _ Page 2
Where do you get the information, knowledge, I also like to read blogs such as Ffffound [http:// In your opinion, can visual arts be a critical ffffound.com/]. tips and updates you need? movement and serv as agents of change in communities and society in general? If it’s technical, Google is just fine. Or you can ask another artist if you know one: online Do you spend many time answering questions I just view them as tools. It’s what you do communities are great for this. But once you and giving tips/advices online? with them that makes an impact. Give me a master the basics, there is no better way than to microphone and I won’t change the world with learn by yourself: train your eye to deeply analyze Actually, yes… and I think I’m one of the few to it. Give it to a president, and things might be images that you like, and you will understand do so. The problem is that sometimes, people different. what appeals you on them and how to achieve just send me a message as if I was Google. I this. Then, it’s a matter of mastering technique, think I wouldn’t had come up that far if I had done the same thing when I was beginning: which can only by done by practicing a lot.
“I love my job. If it wasn’t the case, I woudn’t had taken the risk to work as a freelance artist.” Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from? Working with a model is a wonderful source of inspiration, especially when we try to create a story together. They love to act and pretend they are someone else. Most of them are not pro and just started modeling when I asked them to pose. I like this simplicity and complexity: people say it shows on the pics and I think I can believe them. I am very inspired by movies, books, paintings… maybe less by photographs, at least, recently. I often try to challenge myself to create something new and different from my previous works: it is very, very, very important to me.
it’s by searching that you learn, not by hoping to quickly get the right answer. Would you recommend me some books and websites, etc., please? Photoshop for Photographers by Martin Evening, Photo.net [http://photo.net/] to learn about photography and Ffffound for inspiration.
Speaking of art [http://jsmonzani.com] © Alda Silva _ Page 3
How would you contribute to a social cause, using your works, if you were asked to? Any thoughs on this? I would try to do posters. Amnesty International has some of the greatest campaigns for instance. What would you like to do (professionally) that you haven’t done yet? Why? I would love to become just an artist photographer and make a living out of it. Sure. I can still dream on :) The fact is that I don’t make contacts with museums, contests for young photographers, etc. I don’t feel my art would fit what museums like to exhibit nowadays. Don’t get me wrong: I like exhibitions of contemporary art. It’s just that I’ve never seen there something that ressembles my work. Somehow, my works are too clean and since colors are digitally modified, they don’t quite fit into photography. • Lost in the wrong tale [http://jsmonzani.com]
Thanks Jean-Sébastien for his patience and precious contribution for my work. All the images used are copyrighted to him and cannot be used without his agreement, expressed authorization. The interview is copyrighted to me, Alda Silva, under a Creative Commons Licence, AttributionNoncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0. Legal actions will be taken if you don’t respect these copyrights. • © Alda Silva _ Page 4