AURORA GOES WILD WITH
unusual interviews in the Pussy Pusher’s style.
GIOVANNI LIPARI, DEATH OF YOUTH
When did you decide to start shooting girls? What was your “mental process” behind the decision?
Basically, the idea for this project came from the false desire to find happiness through superficial means. Through this project I showed that the idealized playboy photographer is a persona that proves impossible when actually pursued. The series criticizes this idea, as it shows that such a reality is a mere illusion, which is used as a marketing ploy that attracts young men and women to believe in the myth the Photographer. This advertisement of such a lifestyle was emulated in the Death of Youth, showing how easily it can be fabricated. I express this concept more in depth on http://thedeathofyouth.com/artist-statement/
It is important to remember that I am not a professional photographer, so this series only reflects the expression and feeling I was having at the time. I express my feelings, while others look at the ideas behind the images, which is part of the creative process, I guess.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I look at my cell phone.
Does your mother appreciate your pictures?
Yes. Actually, my mother has some prints from the Death of Youth hung up in her home. I think that she appreciates the beauty of the photographs and realizes there is nothing sexual in nature in my intentions.
A movie that we should watch.
The Night Porter by Liliana Cavani. Everyone should see this film. My mother originally turned me onto this masterpiece. It is a beautifully shot film that stars Charlotte Rampling, who is the most beautiful woman, in my opinion.
Who is your “dream” model? Where would you love to set your shooting?
Since my photograph is based in a manufactured fantasy, I don’t think I have the desire to work with a specific model or in a specific location. I am self-aware of my “dreams” and I don’t buy into their allure.
Are you keeping your work secret to someone?
No.
Are you usually turned on by the model you are shooting?
No the models do not turn me on. I am not an erotic photographer, so these photos have nothing to do with self-fulfillment, but rather how easily this fantasy can be manufactured. However, when a photograph is perfect, sometimes I feel turned on by its aesthetic beauty. Since I shoot everything on film, I usually do not experience such a sensation until I get the negatives back, and even then, it is rare for me to like my images. Generally this type of feeling comes from the model’s positioning, rather then her sexuality and beauty.
Name three photographers that you consider masters.
Ellen von Unworth, Nick Night, and Ed Weston.
Did any model ever get mad at you because she was looking “ugly” in your pictures?
Probably, but that doesn’t really matter to me.
What do you do in your free time?
I don’t really have “free” time. However, I enjoy to cook, drink and watch movies.
What is the difference between a good nude picture and an amazing one?
I wish I knew, and then I would be able to produce one.
Who is, in your opinion, the most overrated nude photographer?
This is a very difficult question for me to answer. Most photographer take pictures from their own perspective or for a purpose. For this reason, there are photographers with aesthetics that I do not enjoy, but I understand that they may be coming from a different place than myself. On this note, personally I do not think my future photographic series will have the same aesthetic as Death of Youth, because I will be coming from a different place. Photography is subjective: while one observer may enjoy the images in this series, that same person may hate photographs from my future projects.
And the one who is not appreciate yet?
There are so many amazing photographers in the world. I think one of my favorite things about living in the digital age is the instant access and sharing of images. I think it is wonderful that everyone gets to enjoy the extremely talented artists in the world without having to fit into a gallery that only a few people value as important. We live in a democratic age where the collective consciousness dictates what is important. The list of photographs that I appreciate is too long to choose just one.
Your biggest fault.
I have too many to list. I probably don’t exercise enough and I sometimes experience work-related anxiety.
What does your partner think about your work?
I don’t have a partner. I have been single for many years now.
Do you remember your dreams in the morning? Are you able to interpret them?
Sometime I remember my dreams, and those ones are very easily interpreted. Generally, they are reflections of my daily life: stresses and fantasies that are amplified in my dreams.
website: www.deathofyouth.com
tumblr http://thedeathofyouth.tumblr.com/
twitter: https://twitter.com/thedeathofyouth
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deathofyouth/
email: deathofyouth@gmail.com
