
I’ve been away for a while (forgive me) but I come bearing gifts. Today I present to you an interesting interview with a photographer who’s work I really admire. His name is Ivan Arce, also known as hAsh. The Chicago based photographer possesses the ability to capture the beauty in things most of us tend to overlook, especially insects. With a keen eye for detail and some really good ideas hAsh delivers some really stunning photos, enjoy.
Brewster In Stereo: How old were you when you when you became interested in photography and what prompted your interest?
Ivan Arce: It was probably around the age of 16 after finally seeing the reality of high school and realizing I wasn’t gonna dedicate the time needed to become a veterinarian. I asked myself what was it that I enjoyed the most to do and the answer right away was “watch movies”! From there I realized all I really wanted to do was create storytelling images.
BIS: Where there any other photographers or artist that inspired you stylistically?
IA: Yes there were and still are. Lia Sáile will always be the first who comes to mind. Who’s a great contemporary artist, who’s early photography and photo manipulation works always fuelled my interest in exploring the color tones in which I have developed my own work. Others equally important are Philippe Halsman, Cindy Sherman, Salvador Dalí and H.R. Giger.
BIS: Lia Saile is an incredible photographer, I’m a big fan. She has an amazing ability to create powerful atmospheres within her photos. You share this ability; at times when I look at your work I can almost hear music. What roll if any does music play in your work as a photographer?
IA: Music plays a very important roll in my work as it does in every aspect of my life, if not the most important. Without music I don’t think I would be able to compose an image. It will always help me set the mood and feeling for the environment I want to capture. After I am done working on a photograph, that music piece will always accompany the image as it’s soundtrack. The song will just click in my head as soon as I see the image.
BIS: So, in a sense you can almost capture the element of music within your photos, that’s very impressive. You are from Puerto Rico, how does culture and heritage play a roll in the subject matter of your work?
IA: Culture and heritage are aspects that will always be present in the person I am today. They don’t play a direct roll in my subject matter, but are present in a geographical and physical state. Growing up surrounded by the color green and the cyan of the ocean influenced me to see these tones everywhere, even outside of Puerto Rico. My work is more of an environmental exploration, than a social study. So, cultural influences will always be there in an aesthetic form.
BIS: How did you come to be known as hAsh?
IA: Back in the college years it was my nickname in the local electronic music web forum and it just caught on as I started documenting the local scene.
BIS: You mentioned earlier that your love for movies inspired you to take up photography; do you have any interest in film making?
IA: Always have! I graduated from Full Sail in Orlando, FL with a degree in film and have worked on several productions since.
BIS: So it’s possible that we may be seeing a hash film in the near future?
IA: Yes! In the near future as in 2011 will be working on the developing of one music video and two short films.
BIS: I’m sure those projects are going to be amazing, I can’t wait to see the finished product. Maybe we can collaborate on an official film for Brewster in Stereo soon…
IA: That sounds great man, yeah! Production is all about team work, and the best crew is the one with talented artists like yourself! *
See more of Ivan’s work below and at http://hash15.deviantart.com/
If you’d like to contact Ivan he can be reached via email: ivan.arce15@gmail.com