Conversation with Photographer Damian Vincenzi
Making With Words Before we get deep into conversation, could you tell us a bit about Damian the person and not the artist? Damian W. Vincenzi I feel as though Damian and the Artist are the same person. I think to a certain extent that my photographs say as much about me as they do about the subject/s. The story of an image is determined by the perception of the photographer, so who they’re as a person will determine who they’re as a photographer and vice versa. MWW It is well known that a great portion of Australia comprises migrants. How is Australia (Melbourne) home to you? DWV The diversity of cultures in Melbourne is a big part of why I feel at home here, we have so much to explore. I think Melbourne is an open invitation to share and experience a world of cultures and we have the opportunity to visit these proud homes through festivals, events and exhibitions. MWW Why photography and not any other form of visual art? DWV It helps defines you as a person because you decide what to capture. The amount of information our senses take in can be overwhelming but photography forces me to concentrate on the things that are most important. The nature of reality is constantly challenging the truth of our lives and I find with photography that I can express the truth of my reality. MWW According to the pieces that complete the body of your work “Music Is Family” I can say without a shadow of doubt that you and music share a special connection. Talk to us about your love for music. DWV It’s also the individuals that create the music, there connection with music is infectious. When I see musicians listen to a piece of music and they close their eyes I know they’re somewhere else. You can see the effect it has on them and so you learn to close your eyes and feel the soul of that artist. I'll admit that sometimes it’s difficult to photograph musicians because I really just want to sit there and get lost in the music, but learning about there movement, energy and spirit on stage and capturing it allows me to look back and remember exactly how powerful that musician was. MWW “Music Is Family” - title of your exhibition; from a personal and African point of view this title is very layered as music plays an immense role within families/ communities and also other communities outside Africa. How did you arrive at it? |
DWV
One of the artists represented in the exhibition ‘Eshak Awi’ came up with the quote and we decided to use it as the title for the exhibition. Eshak explained to me that music is the one universal language we can all speak. He also said that this is a way of life in Sudan and throughout most of Africa. I think this sends a strong message to all communities and promotes social unity amongst our diverse city. MWW At the opening your exhibition at Steps gallery; I noticed the family support that surrounded you. How challenging (if at all) is/was it working with refugee communities or newly migrants who might have some or majority of their family members in their country of origin? DWV I approached them as individuals rather then migrants or refugees. There was a mutual respect and love for music that made our bond strong, that was the foundation of our experience. MWW Your work depicts an honest moment in your subject, which you aptly coined “taking the photograph while everyone else has blinked” on your website www.dwvphography.com.au How do you manage that delivery in every perfected piece? DWV For me, it has a lot to do with feeling. I have no control over what is about to happen so I allow the event to unfold before me and tap into the heart and soul of the performance. I try not to have any preconceived ideas about how I would like to photograph a particular performance and let the rhythm guide my direction. It’s an invisible exchange similar to a relationship, you give as much as you take. MWW Photography can be both spontaneous and choreographed. How do you as an artist find the equilibrium between the two? DWV Many aspects of a performance are choreographed but the artist is always free. Photography in general has the power to express a perspective on any given topic, if the topic is best represented through a contrived image then that is the best approach. MWW What thought process do you follow when creating a body of work? DWV A big part of it is the process of elimination and understanding what I am trying to express through the images that make up the body of work. It also involves the ability to maintain a connection with the origin of the shoot and how it felt while I was there. MWW “Emerge” - festival that creates a platform for Victorian refugee communities to share in celebrating their varied cultures. How important do you think these types of opportunities are to both new arrivals and the current community at large? DWV I believe the importance of belonging and sharing in any community is paramount, the opportunity to strengthen ties with our community and experience varies cultures erases fear and doubt in the eyes and hearts of Melbournians. |