An Interview with Patrick Rochon a photographer / light painter / performance artist whose dramatic and imaginative work continues to color the world of art.
COLOURLovers: How long have you been interested in photography, are there other mediums you explore?
Patrick Rochon: I started doing light painting in Montreal in 1992. I use to do regular photography and in my transition between New York and Tokyo, in 1997, I became a full time light painter and never looked back.
In Tokyo I started doing video light painting and live performances with light costume and video feedback. Now I want to push the multimedia and the live show to a new level creating a unique experience. Nicolas Maranda and I, started a group called Boa Labo (http://boalabo.com) and we do live interactive shows, music clips and other funky art work involving lights. We are now working on a piece called “Light Up The World” based on a quote of Buddha and involving all of you, if you want. It will spread on You Tube to create a chain of candles around the world: http://www.youtube.com/user/WorldWideWaveOfLight
CL: What was some of your original inspiration that got you started in photography and light-painting, and how has your styled developed into the work you do now?
PR: Well the truth is when I was 15 I had to chose a profession and since photography was popular in my family, I chose to go study it in college.
Light painting came after my graduation in 1991. It came to me, I tried it and like most people who do, I loved it. Now I just do what ever comes to mind, being spontaneous.
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CL: How much thought and preparation goes into each photo, or is the light painting more of a spontaneous expression of your current state of mind, or that of your subject?
PR: Well like I just said it’s more of a spontaneous thing but often I’ll medita and see what comes to mind. Afterwards I use the inspiration from the meditation to light paint. Also I like to built momentum to give birth to a bigger creation.
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CL: Your work seems to be more abstract with focus on lighting the subject rather than using the light to create a subject, are you trying to send a message through your work?
PR: The only message I know of, is that if you try it yourself, you can learn and grow trough this “new” medium.
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CL: Are there certain motions and movements you use often when creating your photos, or is it strictly based on the form of the subject?
PR: Lot’s of chaos, but I’m getting better at structure. Painting a determined line or stroke.
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CL: Talking about your color compositions, are there certain color palettes you prefer or that work better on particular subjects?
PR: Yes, but for me it’s feeling based choices. Sometimes I’ll ask my model what colors they like.. or don’t. Always looking for the magic combination.
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CL: Does working with light limit the color choices available to you, or are we at the point where you can get just about any color gel you want?
PR: Anything is possible. I’m just now opening up to shooting with a digital camera and editing in Photoshop. Now the possibilities are endless. While all my work on the site is analogue the new light painting will be done digitally.
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CL: Your work with the dance troupe Butoh is quite stunning. Are you inspired by the work they do? Are they inspired by your work? And how did you manage to take the photos where it looks like all of their heads are floating 3 meters above their bodies?
PR: Those collaboration were pure symbiosis. It was happening like magic. Almost every shot came out good. The energy and focus of Sal Vanilla was perfect. One living organism made of different bodies.
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CL: You’re apart of a live performance group (Boa Labo) that combines your work with movement and music. What’s it like for you being on stage vs. being in a studio, as far as your work process goes.
PR: Stage is intense, I dont have a stage background so I’m learning as I’m going along. But being in front of ten thousand people if quite a trip. You should try.
CL: Do you have any exhibits, events or performance dates coming up?
PR: Yes, Sept. 21 is peace day and we are doing a live event in Montreal at the SAT. Light painting on a circular screen. Should be fun.
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CL: What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made? Meaning, can you give an example of something going wrong that turned out to be better in the end.
PR: I’m still making mistakes. I just replied to a thread with my teammates and didn’t realize that the client was included in the Cc field, oups, not sure we are going to get the job, we’ll see.
Thank you for this chance to share a bit of my reality. – Patrick
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