Interview with Denis Olivier
by Marcin Stawiarz |
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| #1 Please introduce
yourself: |
My full name
is Denis Olivier. Nothing less, nothing more, and I’m French. I’m currently living in
Bordeaux, since 6 years ago; it is a new redesigned old city, with a lot of history that
has been officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Besides that we have the
famous Bordeaux wine and the sea is not so far away. It’s a beautiful and pleasant place
to live. Everyone is welcome! |
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| #2 How did you get
interested in photography? |
First with my
parents. We have a permanent darkroom in the house (and it is still there) and when you
are a young boy, all of this is fascinating and magical. Later I preferred drawing and
painting. But I really needed to learn photography during Art School education. Here I
discovered technical skills and practiced a lot, burning several rolls a week, during many
years. |
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THE OPEN SPACE I, MEUNET-SUR-VATAN, FRANCE,
JUL 31, 2005 |
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| #3 Do you have an
artistic/photographic background? |
Artistic, yes.
After biochemical studies, I went to an Art School to learn first painting, drawing,
photography and sculpture, the basics. I finally chose Computer Arts, especially 3D
generated pictures. While I was discovering advanced computer programming, I’ve started
to develop my own 3D software and sold them worldwide. I also worked later in Architecture
and hyperrealist renderings. |
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| #4 I remember when I
first saw your marvelous photograph, it was 'The open space II'. The sky in this picture
gives a feeling of a really rough scene, very much like in your other photographs. What
other factors fascinate you and influence your works? |
Most of the
time a relation with the past, the history, wild places where life has disappeared.
Isolation reassures me; all is quiet and peaceful without civilization - there are only
elements around. We, human beings, are almost nothing when you compare us to the absolute
Universe. Since the Big-Bang, our living experience time is exactly a tear drop in the
sea. These running skies for example are one of the ways to perceive this relativity. |
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THE OPEN SPACE II,
MEUNET-SUR-VATAN, FRANCE, JUL 31, 2005
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| #5 Photographs with
such long exposure make the world look really desolate and lonely. Why have you chosen to
present your works in such a form? |
Maybe because
I feel lonely by default. Most of people around me seem aggressive, egocentric, thinking
they rule the world even though they are nothing in Universe. Every day I need to exchange
and fight for my own life and company, and I’ve found in long exposure and lost places
moments where I can contemplate the World, take my time, and forget all the city stuff to
feel the roots. |
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| #6 In your latest
series 'Dreamspace' you showed the viewers a completely surreal world. What inspired you
to make this series? |
It is an old
project I have in my mind. I like the idea to compose exactly what I want, when I want it,
and how I want it to be. I can set the mood, try, test, modify - well, very much like the
act of drawing or painting somehow. In our family we have many old photographs from the
two past centuries and I like to mix anachronistic elements together; it forces the brain
to connect between things that normally can’t be linked together. Here the dream begins.
Many people were surprised, even disappointed, because it’s far from long exposures, but
it is part of my imagination too, and long exposure shots need to travel a lot with
complex and heavy equipment, particularly when the weather is bad. This series has the
advantage of mixing simple elements in complex scenes. I like the challenge, making them
real but not really… Within the doubt, imagination starts. |
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DREAMSPACE RELOADED
#21, MAY 16, 2008
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| #7 You are a creator
of Art Limited, can you tell us more about this project? |
Art Limited is
a project derived from Preface where artists need to speak about their work. The rules
weren’t really followed and the site has been mostly used to exhibit only. While
browsing through many Art communities, I’ve never found something I like personally, so
I’ve decided to develop mine and propose it to others. I’m happy with it at this time,
trying to propose an elegant design with plenty of functionalities really needed by
artists. |
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| #8
Do you work as a professional photographer or do you pursue the art as a hobby? |
| No, I
don’t need Art to live. I have my own communication and marketing company and spend most
of my working time managing it. I have the chance that my artwork is appreciated and doing
only what I want without commissions. I always have it in mind and I try to keep this
luxury as long as possible. |
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DIVING PIER, CAP
FERRET, FRANCE, FEB 11, 2006
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| #9
What do you do in your life besides photography? |
| I’ve
created computer server services since mid-90 years. In 2000 it finally turned into a
company. This is my main job. Besides that, apart from educating my children, I have
played drums in a rock band since many years ago - 4 hours every Wednesday night. These
music moments with fellow friends are very important and I can’t imagine ever stopping
them. I like cooking - everything - but I finally spend more time in fine restaurants! I
also watch documentaries on specific channels, and the technological/scientific approach
of discovering our world. In fact, I’ve always wanting to do so many things or jobs, and
one lifetime won’t be enough! |
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| #10
Can you tell us about the equipment that you use (digital or traditional)? |
| I am not
excited by equipment, maybe because my father collects them, so I’ve tested many. I just
buy exactly what I need. The 3 ones I use most are (in order) Canon 5D, Holga and
Hasselblad 500 C/M. I also have several cameras: Canon, Kiev, Pentax, Rollei, Konica,
Polaroid etc … But I use them when I need them, or want something particular. |
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| #11
Are you planning any exhibitions of your works in near future? |
| No, I have
currently refused them all as the proposals haven’t pleased me. I’m very busy on many
other professional or personal projects and I want to be sure I won’t lose myself.
Anyway, I’m still happy to discuss galleries to see if we can work together. |
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FISHING NETS, PLAGE
DU CONCIé, FRANCE, OCT 7, 2006
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| #12
How do you prepare your prints? (LAB, darkroom, digital printing, etc.)? What is your
favorite kind of paper? |
| I do it all
myself. I’m still developing my films at home and scan them afterwards. This way, I’m
sure all will be done like I want it, and if any errors occur, the only person to blame is
me (smiles)! Concerning paper I’ve used Ilford multigrade fiber base. For digital
prints, I’m quite happy with fiber paper, like Hahnemühle FineArt Pearl 285 or Permajet
Delta Matt Fibre 271. |
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| #13
Is it possible to purchase your prints and, if so, where? |
| Yes,
directly on my site. I particularly pay attention to the packaging and protection, to be
sure all will be shipped the safest possible way. I collaborate with Fedex to assure a
fast professional and tracked delivery worldwide. |
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The mast (Larmor
Baden - France 2007)
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| #14
What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish? |
| Continue to
take pleasure in whatever I am doing. Creating, from photography to cooking, programming
to love, managing to learning, children’s education to playing drums… All are parts of
my life. |
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Denis Olivier Official Website:
www.denisolivier.com |
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