Entrevista a Alexander Harding

Alexander Harding é um artista de Connecticut - Estados Unidos da América, que inclui no seu espólio de desenvolvimento um grande ênfase relativamente às possibilidade que a luz traz à criação de imagens.
O mote para o contacto com Alexander foi o seu trabalho "Visible Light" (do qual se apresentam duas imagens, em seguida), no qual fotografa feixes de luz em vários locais, de diferentes ambientes e com recurso a diferentes técnicas de reflexão e direção.

Visible Light por Alexander Harding

Visible Light por Alexander Harding

Data da Entrevista: 2015-01-13.

Entrevista realizada por E-mail.

Entrevistador: João Mariano.

Entrevistado: Alexander Harding.
http://alexanderhardingart.com

IS LIGHT THE TRIGGER FOR YOUR WORK OR DO YOU USE LIGHT AS A WAY TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING?

Alexander Harding:

Light is a trigger for me and I feel affected by it on a daily basis. I'm drawn to it. Photography is a way for me to explore this attachment.

WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION FOR THE CREATION OF “VISIBLE LIGHT”? WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE FROM THE ONES WHO OBSERVE IT?

Alexander Harding:

Since light is seemingly intangible, with this series of works, I set to make light seem more permanent and substantive. The emotional response from most viewers seems to be a positive one.

THE REFLEXIBILITY OF LIGHT IN SOME OBJECTS - SUCH AS MIRRORS, WALLS, FLOOR, ETC - SEEMS TO BE VERY IMPORTANT IN YOUR WORK. WHY? HAVE YOU EVER WORKED WITH FILTERING AS WELL? IF YES, WHAT ARE THE RESULTS. 

Alexander Harding:

Once I was able to produce this effect, I documented it as much as possible and tried to discover new ways in which I could control the light.  I tried filtering a little. It never produced a picture where the filtering came across in a way that could be easily seen in the photograph. A filter usually dissolved the light so much that it didn't register in the finished photograph.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH LIGHT. WHAT CONCERNS AND EXCITES  YOU THE MOST ABOUT IT? DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS (TRICKS THAT YOU MAY USE) ON HOW TO GENERATE EMOTIONS THROUGH LIGHT?

Alexander Harding:

I think what excites me most about it is that when I try to make a picture about light, I never truly know how it will behave. It is always a surprise for me. When I set out to make a picture, I have an idea about how I want the picture to look,but the end result is always surprising.  I don't really have any tricks about using it. Light is astounding on its own. I try to intervene as little as possible and just let it do what it wants to do. 

DO YOU FIND THE PROJECTION OF THE BEAM INTERESTING, OR DO YOU PREFER THE BEAM ITSELF (AS WE CAN FIND IN MOST OF THE PICTURES FROM “VISIBLE LIGHT”)? WHY? (by projection I mean the last support where light is projected and its effects)

Alexander Harding:

I am always trying to isolate and show as much of the light as possible and as little of the surrounding space. I'm interested in the source, or mechanism, but not so much in photographing it. 

IN WHICH WAY DOES YOUR WORK WITH LIGHT MANIPULATES AND RECREATES THE SURROUNDING SPACE?

Alexander Harding:

Light always defines the perception of a space, whether it be physically or emotionally. I'd like to think that my presentation of light in a photograph complements the space in a positive way but I can't say for sure. 

REGARDING YOUR OPINION, HOW DOES LIGHT - AS A WAY OF EXPRESSION - CONTRIBUTE SO THAT IMAGE CAN BECOME A SIMULATION OF THE REALITY?

Alexander Harding:

Light acts as if it is a character in a play. The way light is used in a work of art, whether it be a movie or photograph or painting or whatever, contributes to the overall mood of the work. Light made by a candle, for instance, has a different feeling than light made by the sun, or a lightbulb. 

REGARDING THE SCHEME BELOW, WHERE DO YOU THINK LIGHT GETS ITS BIGGER INTEREST? WHY? (SEE ALSO THE PRACTICAL SCHEME).

Alexander Harding:

I think it gets most interesting after it interacts with the object. It transforms into something else and its characteristics change. That change I find most interesting.

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