Roger Ballen

https://www.rogerballen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rogerballen/

Roger Ballen is a photographer born in New York, USA in 1950 who now resides in South Africa. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in photography in the 21st century. For over 30 years he has lived and worked in Johannesburg. Ballen’s unique style of photographic expression has evolved through the use of a simple square format and beautiful black & white tones. His recent series include elaborate images featuring techniques normally reserved for paintings, collages, or sculptures. Despite having invented this new form of hybrid aesthetic, there is no doubt that Ballen’s roots still remain firmly in the photographic realm. He directed the music video “I Fink U Freeky” for Cape Town rave/hip-hop group Die Antwoord in 2012, which has amassed over 90 million views on YouTube as of today.

Asger Carlsen

https://www.asgercarlsen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/asgercarlsen/

Asger Carlsen was born in 1973 in Frederiksberg, Denmark and currently resides in New York. Carlsen is known for images that are at once refined yet somewhat grotesque, made through the application of digital processing to classic monotone photos. He launched his career at the age of 16 when he began selling his work to local newspapers. Carlsen would then become a commercial photographer after a stint shooting crime scenes. He now makes artwork for musicians like Fischerspooner, Cut Copy, and Ratatat, and has been featured in acclaimed publications like The New Yorker, The Huffington Post, Wired Magazine, Dazed and Confused, and Vice Magazine. Carlsen’s iconic books include “Hester” and “Wrong”.

-- Would you please let us know the highlights of "NO JOKE" for you?

The highlight of No Joke was finding out that my cooperation with Asger would lead to a new visual aesthetic that had the ability to remain in people’s mind.

-- Would you please let us know the meaning of the title “NO JOKE” for you?

No Joke means you better take seriously the images that you are viewing; they are a reality that has an element truth whether you like it or not…..

-- How was the collaboration with Asger Carlsen for the series? What do you think of the artworks and the collaboration after creating?

Asger and I worked together with mutual respect and our cooperation was constructive and stimulating. I was very proud of the artworks that I created with Asger. It is my belief that we have created a recognizable style in the field of photography

-- From this question, we would like to ask you about your personal history. What was a trigger that you turned from geologist to artist? Why did you move to Johannesburg?

My mother worked in Magnum in New York in the 1960’s and started one of the first photo galleries in New York during this time with famous photographers such as Andre Kertesz. I have been passionate about photography for nearly 50 years and only decided to turn it into a profession from a hobby around 2005 after my work received much success. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my work as a geologist.

-- We can see powerful and unique drawings in your photographs. Do you have any concepts of the drawing? How did you learn it?

When I was 23, I became obsessed with painting for six months or so. Nearly thirty years later I began to add drawings and paintings to my photographs to the current point that this media is an integral part of my work. I never think about what I will draw nor probe its meaning as the work should be multi-layered and beyond words.

-- You worked with musicians and fashion brands as Die Antwoord and COMME des GARÇONS. What is the most important thing of “collaboration” for you?

By far the most important aspect of a collaboration is that there is mutual respect between the parties. Equally important is that the process is a creative one for both parties.

-- Please let us know your current or upcoming projects.

In September 2017, the publisher Thames and Hudson will be releasing a book titled Ballenesque, Roger Ballen, A Retrospective which will document the development of the Ballenesque style over 50 years. This is a very important project for me as I have written the text and tried to express my philosophy towards photography.

-- Please give your message to visitors of the NO JOKE exhibition.

Let the photographs enter you, transform your consciousness, dream about them night after night….

-- Why did you and Roger decide to collaborate for the artworks? What was it for?

We started the project as a Commission for the vice photo issue. We only made 6 images for that issue. We then got offered to do a book with Morel books in London.

-- How was the collaboration with Roger for the series? What did you feel? Is there any changes of your mind after collaborating with Roger?

Rogers work was something that always inspired me and had a Big influence on my practice.

-- Would you please let us know the highlights of "NO JOKE" for you?

I really like the self-portrait images. I had a lot of fun making these images and they turned out really strange and magical. If you ask me.

-- From this question, we would like to ask you about your personal history. Why did you decide to be a photographer?

It seemed like an exciting job and and a good way to communicate and meet people.

-- Almost of all your artworks have impressive photo-retouch. How did you find your current art style?

I think there is a persistent urge and hope that the image can somehow appear different and maybe escape it's original narrative. By using Photoshop I found that I could change the image narrative and satisfy my urge by doing so.

-- From this question, we would like to ask you about your personal history. Why did you decide to be a photographer?

It seemed like an exciting job and and a good way to communicate and meet people.

-- Almost of all your artworks have impressive photo-retouch. How did you find your current art style?

I think there is a persistent urge and hope that the image can somehow appear different and maybe escape it's original narrative. By using Photoshop I found that I could change the image narrative and satisfy my urge by doing so.