Kara Yerex
I think the main attraction of photography for most people, honestly, is the equipment and the documentation of memories. But for me, the main attraction is documenting my thoughts and exploration of lonely places.
 
It’s a way of documenting my thoughts. I guess taking pictures for me is like journaling to others. When something bad (or good) would happen, or something bothered me I would put it away and try to ignore the thoughts rather than talking about it and dealing with it. So making pictures of my thoughts and ideas is a kind of therapy. I'm a loner, I like spending time alone. I have a fascination with loneliness and abandonment, so urban exploration satisfies that for me. I love documenting these lost lonely places. I find them beautiful.
No way! Everything is game! Although I haven't explored sexuality or issues that are seen as taboo in our world. I suppose that's because I generally illustrate personal psychological issues, thoughts in my head (I'm so self-centered!) Also, because I use myself quite often as a prop, I'm not very interested in illustrating a concept using my nude body.
 
I never have associated myself with a movie director, but I suppose there are similarities! I had always associated it more with escapism. As ridiculous as it may seem, assuming a different character for me meant I didn't have to be the girl who needed to go get groceries, clean the bathroom, pay the phone bill and go to bed early to get up and go to work the next day. But instead I could be a woman in a book or a song that I fell in love with and inspired me.
 
To be quite honest, half the time I don't think I really understand them at first! I like to think of art as something that comes from the subconscious, like a dream that needs to be interpreted. Quite often I'll see an image in my head and think "What does THAT mean?” After creating the image, and when I think about what's happening in my life, I'll look at it for a while and it somehow eventually makes sense. As for other people making sense of it, I love for them to see something in it that makes sense to them.
I love balance, symmetry and graphical elements. I think I just enjoy making people think while looking at fewer elements and simplicity.
In terms of technical qualities, I love sharpness and detail. I also love having certain elements stand out by playing with color, or lack thereof. I adore symmetry with diffused light and white skin.
To your principle, comprehension and belief as an artist, what is art, actually? And what is your objective behind it?
To me art is a manifestation of the artist’s thoughts and ideas. I suppose my objective is to communicate my feelings that would otherwise accumulate and eventually spill out in other ways.
 
That’s such a hard question. I don’t think I’m influenced by other artists because I wasn’t formally trained as an artist. I haven’t studied works of other photographers and haven’t really been exposed to it much on my own. I think I’ve been influenced by life experiences and behavior, music and books.
Everyone is complicated. I’m complicated because of my inability to properly verbally communicate. I’m happy for that though because otherwise I wouldn’t need photography.
 
I would describe it as conceptual, not something you would hang on your wall, but instead look at in a book or magazine, to illustrate an idea. A lot of it has a lonely theme. I love what Robert Doisneau said when asked to describe his work: "If you make pictures, don't speak, don't write, don't analyze yourself and don't answer any questions."
I usually see an image in my head and manically start thinking about how I can recreate it! Generally I start with the location and set up the camera and just play. After looking though all the shots, I play with the chosen one(s) in Photoshop until I'm happy. Sadly there isn't much of a process! I just play around and have fun.
author's gallery in photo.box
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