Richard Gerst fotografa l’artista Dusan Kochol (intervistato da me) in esclusiva per lepilloledistefano

Surely, if you follow this blog, you know the work of Richard Gerst, with whom I had the pleasure to collaborate, since recently he has given me some of his amazing works to publish here in exclusive for Italy. (you can see them here, here and here) Now Richard is back on lepilloledistefano with these portraits done to a colleague.And I must admit I’m a lot fascinated and intrigued by this exchange of roles. Dusan Kochol is an artist, a curator of important exhibitions and a photographer. A photographer shooting another photographer? It looks like a game of roles, of exchanging the parts, where who is usually the one who decides and is, as the English say, ‘in control’ passes on the opposite side. For me these beautiful photographs have become a great excuse to host Richard back on the blog and to interview and get to know a really interesting person as Dusan, full of experiences and stories to tell us and share with you, so I hope you like him, as much as I do. Here’s my interview with the artist, as well as the very beautiful pictures done by Richard!

Could you tell us something about you? First of all how did you become involved with art? How was your approach with art, when did this all begin?
As a child my most favourite toys were scissors and crayons. Fast forward a few years and I graduated in Promotional Art Design at School of Applied Arts, attended photography courses at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and at London College of Fashion. Bachelor and Master of Arts degree achieved at Institute of Creative Photography, Silesian University in Czech Republic, where I am now studying for my PhD degree. My work was exhibited in Germany, England, Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Czech Republic and Slovakia and also featured in numerous periodicals. I am producing fine art photography and video, working as an art director for prestigious magazines and directing and curating a photographic festival in Bratislava.

Tell us something about your work. Why have you chosen photography as your main field?
My work is based on the combination of colourful fragments of environments, mixed with carefully lit up and staged spectacle. Often it is interlinked with fine art and symbolism mixed with kitsch and pop culture. I enjoy mystical and slightly absurd situations and the many varied responses and reactions they create within people. I like to watch and absorb the perceptions and feelings of individuals and situations, the reaction of people to urban environments and culture and to re-interpret them in the form of a photograph. I find endless enjoyment in the creation of characters and the arrangement of them into scenes, which are based on my experiences and imagination.

Images from  Dusan’s work: “Eye of Providence”, 2009

Quite often there’s in your works a sort of exploration of yourself. You are among the subjects you use for your works. Is it something that comes from a sort of desire of psychoanalyze yourself, explore your limits and your thoughts?
The Russian writer Anton Chekhov reflected: “The role of an artist is to ask questions, not to answer them,” an observation that is a testament of my self-expression through my art work. Sometimes I find the language of communication between the viewer and myself clearer and more personal if I ask the question directly by appearing in my art work. On the other hand as a curator, I am charged with helping the audience discover possible answers of others art work.

You are also involved in a photographic festival. Could you tell us something more?
OFF_festival Bratislava is an alternative festival of contemporary photography, which annually introduces fresh talent from the Slovak and international photographic scene. This unique project arose from the need to create generous space and conditions for the presentation and promotion of young photographers. It is the only cultural event of its kind in Slovakia which, at this level, highlights quality work from breakthrough talents. The aim of OFF_festival is to promote public interest in what is now emerging from the contemporary photographic field.

Dusan Kochol’s “W.Ego Journals”, 2011

Dusan Kochol’s “W.Ego Journals”, 2011

You are from Slovakia, but you have also studied in London. Which is your heritage in your works? Which part of your personal approach to art and photography is coming from your roots and which do you think is more near to your international studies and experiences?
Though a native of Slovakia, my passion for art has given me an ideal platform to think globally and the possibility to stimulate individuals around the world. Like the unconstrained parameters of art, I have searched for a perspective that has no boundaries, but embraces my principally Eastern European influences that distinguish my style. Studying in Slovakia, Czech Republic and the United Kingdom has enriched my perspective, as well as my work, and most importantly, has inspired my desire to challenge myself further professionally. Although I consider myself a global citizen, I seek to promote and evolve the Slovakian art industry; giving it greater international exposure.

You have decided to model for another photographer, how was the experience?
Richard Gerst is a very talented photographer and a friend of mine and I think he was interested in the idea and a challenge to capture another photographer. It took me a whole year to become comfortable with this thought because I am not use to standing in front of anybody else’s camera but my own. When I am taking a self portrait or a portrait of someone else it is me who is in charge, I am the director of the scene, but suddenly I was on the other side. Having a photographic background you are very aware of things like where the light is coming from or how you have to tilt your head, what might be bit annoying and it takes a lot of trust to relax and completely let go of all that. Photographer taking a picture of another photographer might feel like a power game of two deer but only one of them has antlers.

Film stills from “Zuversicht”, 2012

Since my blog is mainly about style, I’d like to know your relationship with fashion. What’s your definition of style? Are there any designers that you find inspiring or could be relevant for your aesthetic approach?
I think style is primarily a matter of instinct, an expression of individualism and fashion is an essential tool for all that. I learnt a lot about fashion in last five years from working closely with my friend Ren Pearce from the fashion duo Pearce Fionda who established their names on the British fashion scene in the early nineties. I always admired the very artistic side of this industry, especially the work of Viktor and Rolf and Hussein Chalayan but, for me, the image of great fashion accompanied with great style always will be an original Thierry Mugler.

Plans for the future? What are you working on at the moment?
My passion for art is diverse. This is most evident in my infatuation with photography and film. The greatest satisfaction in exhibiting my work is when it provokes strong reactions, whatever that might be. I founded, and now direct and curate, an annual alternative photography festival. Additionally, I am actively collaborating and contributing to various contemporary art magazines. I firmly believe that art should not be isolated from other dimensions of life. Through the dynamic interplay between politics, culture, and the world of art, emerges innovative works that inspire and inform. I will always enjoy observing the interactions that people have with art. Indeed, art is providing me with the means to learn more about the world and myself.

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