on (women) photographers
interview by MAURIZIO CATTELAN and MARTA PAPINI
All images copyright Rinko Kawauchi
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Do you mind being called a photographer?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I’m fine with it.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Do you remember your first picture?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I don’t specifically remember, no, but I do remember the first vivid memory of me taking pictures being during a high
school field trip.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — How did photography start for you?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — When I was in college, my major was graphic design, but once a week I also took a photography class, so I was able to study about it there.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is there anything that helps the creative process?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — It helps a lot to take time to think while making prints in the darkroom, as well as reading books, etc.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is inspiration for your images a matter of distraction or of being focused?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I think it depends on how you physically feel.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — How long does it take to get the picture you have in mind?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — It’s not so much about a single picture, but to create a complete work, it usually takes up to about four years.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Do you title your photos? How do you decide?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I don’t title any of my individual photographs whatsoever, but rather I attach a title to the overall work. I select and give the works titles that are latent with multiple meanings.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is narration part of your work?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I create my own version of a sort of story that’s abstract and poetic.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — What is your relationship with technology?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I believe it’s simply being able to capably work hand-in-hand with the things of our modern age.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is photography without a camera possible nowadays?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — You can make a work of photography without having to take a picture yourself. I haven’t attempted it, however.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is it true that today everyone can become a photographer?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I guess that depends on what your definition of a photographer is. I myself am not really sure.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is your work about creativity or about being a good observer?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — It’s about both.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is fake the newest version of reality?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand the question.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Is there any difference between a picture and a painting?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — They’re simply different because they are two different things.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Who lies more, a photographer or a painter?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I don’t know who lies more, really. That’s a hard question.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Do you feel comfortable in front of a camera?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — It depends on who is taking the picture, but for the most part I don’t feel comfortable with it.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Would you agree to shoot fashion?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I do from time to time.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Have you ever regretted something that you shot?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I have.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Isn’t every picture that you take part of a disguised self-portrait?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — No, I don’t believe so.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — Where does light come from?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — The sun.
MAURIZIO CATTELAN — What will your last picture be?
RINKO KAWAUCHI — I’m not sure.
[Table of contents]
Night Pictures
by Olivier Zahm, Stéphane Feugère, and Brad Elterman with a portfolio by Kate Simon
by Thomas Lenthal
by Jeffrey Deitch
by Arnaud Viviant
by Angelo Flaccavento
by John Jefferson Selve
by Mehdi Belhaj Kacem
by Olivier Zahm
by Sven Schumann
by Olivier Zahm
by Glenn O'Brien
by Olivier Zahm
by Olivier Zahm
by Robi Rodriguez
by Camille Bidault-Waddington
by Petra Collins
text by Paul Preciado
by Alex Antitch
by Juergen Teller
by Casper Sejersen
by Benjamin Alexander Huseby
by Theo Wenner
text by Karley Sciortino
by Sandy Kim
by Andreas Larsson
by Katja Rahlwes
by Giasco Bertoli
by Gianni Oprandi
by Olivier Zahm
by Stephan Crasneanscki
by Olivier Zahm and Donatien Grau
by Hugo Tillman