Wandering Souls
Dani Olivier
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Dear Dani, You have a business degree from a prestigious school such as HEC Paris. How did you decide to change your path? I’ve always had an interest in images. Since I was a teenager and in my early years as a photographer I’ve always had in mind the artistic project to present women’s bodies from a sublime perspective. Eight years ago I was experimenting with light projections and I saw the potential of this technique. |
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
I’m a successful entrepreneur in media formats but I’ve always felt the need to create art. I founded a media company in France which is a leader in its sector with a turnover of about 30 million USD. Now the business is running well and I feel like I finally have the time to switch paths and devote myself more to art.
Your models are nude and with minimal make up. Alicia Key’s decision to appear makeup free made headlines recently. She says that using makeup means wanting to hide a piece of who you are in order to fit into a picture of what others seem to see as perfection. What messages do you intend to transmit with your artworks?
I prefer nude models stripped of any fashion accessory to avoid all kind of superficiality and to create the best projections. I try to shape images that transcend time and fashion. I aim at universal and timeless photographs. That is why I don’t have any interest in fashion, make-up and accessories.
Do you have a list of requirements for your models? How do you feel about inner beauty? Can it be transmitted as well as felt through art? Or do you think that external perfection is possible and it’s good to invest on achieving it?
I am increasingly working with professional dancers and models who express their feelings through body gestures and choreographies. Their inner beauty is felt through their feminine moves. The contemplation of these models must convey feelings of empathy and call for an emotional response from the viewer. I would say that nobody is perfect. We are all beautiful people with perfect imperfections, but sometimes art can be close to perfection and it's good to try reaching it.
Your models are nude and with minimal make up. Alicia Key’s decision to appear makeup free made headlines recently. She says that using makeup means wanting to hide a piece of who you are in order to fit into a picture of what others seem to see as perfection. What messages do you intend to transmit with your artworks?
I prefer nude models stripped of any fashion accessory to avoid all kind of superficiality and to create the best projections. I try to shape images that transcend time and fashion. I aim at universal and timeless photographs. That is why I don’t have any interest in fashion, make-up and accessories.
Do you have a list of requirements for your models? How do you feel about inner beauty? Can it be transmitted as well as felt through art? Or do you think that external perfection is possible and it’s good to invest on achieving it?
I am increasingly working with professional dancers and models who express their feelings through body gestures and choreographies. Their inner beauty is felt through their feminine moves. The contemplation of these models must convey feelings of empathy and call for an emotional response from the viewer. I would say that nobody is perfect. We are all beautiful people with perfect imperfections, but sometimes art can be close to perfection and it's good to try reaching it.
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What do you consider to be the most beautiful part of the female body?
My work has shown me that each of the lines that shape a woman's body is of an immense beauty. The most beautiful part is without a doubt the women's hip curves.
Based on your experiences participating in several exhibitions across Europe and the US, how different or similar are audiences on both sides of the Atlantic?
People are enthusiastic about my work on both sides. I think in the US people seem to be more open-minded to novelty and innovation, but at the same time they keep the idea of modesty and are a little bit more puritans.
What are some upcoming events featuring your artwork?
I will publish a new book in March. It will introduce an exhibition at the Arles Photography Festival in July 2017 and one in LA at the end of 2017.
Tell us something more about your books. What’s your preferred way of expressing your feelings, words or visual works such photographs?
I use imagery with the hope of making people react and become sensitive to my graphical universe. I want people to be emotionally affected by looking at those women as much as I’ve been affected myself in the process of creation, since the photographs are unaltered and the models' representations are genuine. Art allows us to share these emotions.
How do you find inspiration for your art in this world where wars, hate and anger are found in every corner? Where do you find the strength to keep working and focusing on promoting beauty?
Art is an antidote. Thanks to photography I spend half of my time in a world of images, creativity and photo shooting. I try to make my art universal and accessible to everybody in many countries and I've received much positive feedback from around the world. In this way art is an antidote to divisions and conflicts worldwide.
What’s the best advice you can offer to young photographers and artists to motivate them in following their passions and being active despite the competitive nature of the game?
Choose a dedicated skill that can be developed in the long term. Find the right field of competence for your technical creativity and keep it reasonably large to carry it in the long run. I would definitely say to young photographers to believe in themselves, take the plunge and work hard on technique.
My work has shown me that each of the lines that shape a woman's body is of an immense beauty. The most beautiful part is without a doubt the women's hip curves.
Based on your experiences participating in several exhibitions across Europe and the US, how different or similar are audiences on both sides of the Atlantic?
People are enthusiastic about my work on both sides. I think in the US people seem to be more open-minded to novelty and innovation, but at the same time they keep the idea of modesty and are a little bit more puritans.
What are some upcoming events featuring your artwork?
I will publish a new book in March. It will introduce an exhibition at the Arles Photography Festival in July 2017 and one in LA at the end of 2017.
Tell us something more about your books. What’s your preferred way of expressing your feelings, words or visual works such photographs?
I use imagery with the hope of making people react and become sensitive to my graphical universe. I want people to be emotionally affected by looking at those women as much as I’ve been affected myself in the process of creation, since the photographs are unaltered and the models' representations are genuine. Art allows us to share these emotions.
How do you find inspiration for your art in this world where wars, hate and anger are found in every corner? Where do you find the strength to keep working and focusing on promoting beauty?
Art is an antidote. Thanks to photography I spend half of my time in a world of images, creativity and photo shooting. I try to make my art universal and accessible to everybody in many countries and I've received much positive feedback from around the world. In this way art is an antidote to divisions and conflicts worldwide.
What’s the best advice you can offer to young photographers and artists to motivate them in following their passions and being active despite the competitive nature of the game?
Choose a dedicated skill that can be developed in the long term. Find the right field of competence for your technical creativity and keep it reasonably large to carry it in the long run. I would definitely say to young photographers to believe in themselves, take the plunge and work hard on technique.