Featured Artist Lanvi Nguyen

How would you describe your work?

This specific body of work that is being presented can be described as long exposure light-drawing photographs. All components of the images are conceived in camera, meaning the image was created without the help of Photoshop for composites or overlay. The purpose of using long exposures is to capture movement, energy, and ambient light; all those elements are rendered simultaneously. The aesthetic for this series is playful to the eyes, but contemplative to the mind concerning the content.

What is the concept behind your work with long exposure?

The title for this series is “Watching the Clock.” It started with countless, sleepless nights, tossing and turning, worrying and stress about the responsibilities and obligations of tomorrow.

The titles are animal idioms, but human behaviors are also addressed within: stress about society, belonging and status, worries about uncontrollable troubles of tomorrow, overworked and burdened by responsibilities and unfinished tasks, unfortunate ailments, etc.

With long exposure shots, I am able to capture movements of the nighttime, frustrated energy, the troubled un-rested mind and possible hallucinations that might occur.

Major sources of inspiration?

I think what struck my curiosity to pursue and experiment with this technique, and photography in general, is being able to capture what cannot be seen with the naked eye. I am able to record not only colors and forms, but energy, proof of my location and the duration.

What are your goals as an artist?

I’m not really one to seek titles and fame. Those are certainly welcomed during the journey, but what is more important for me to remember is art is very spiritual, a form of self-discovery, and satisfaction for steps taken. My goal as an artist is to see how far I can push boundaries, cross them, come back, and see old landscapes with new eyes.

Any advice for future photography students?

I would have to say from my own personal experience, photography makes you generate so many emotions, thoughts, and ideas it will render you confused in the end.

It enlightens you, it inspires you, it brings you down, it startles you, it pushes you, it pulls you in all directions, it gives you bruises, a sore body, treading you through the hot and cold, rain and shine, and so much more.

But if you can wake up the next day and go through all those things again, you are on the right track.

Featured Artist

Lanvi Nguyen Photography

interview by Christine Erickson

Sick As A Dog