Self-portrait and human sculptures by Levi van Veluw
© Levi van Veluw
Fabiano Busdraghi: In your photos you are always at the same time the photographer and the subject. Can you explain what is the meaning of this choice? Why you don’t use other peoples faces as a background for your landscapes?
Levi van Veluw: Repetition is a theme I find very interesting as you can use it for different ends. By for example using the same head and facial expression, the person slowly becomes of secondary importance to the form. The elements that remain constant lose their value and the elements that change, become the subject of the work. In this way I create a shift in the hierarchy of values.
Fabiano Busdraghi: The diffusion of your work is done by galleries, exhibitions, paper publications, etc, or is entrusted mainly to artistic circuits on Internet? What do you think about these initiatives?
Levi van Veluw: The combination of having a gallery, exhibitions, publications and the internet is really important. For instance, a gallery is important to present the work on artfairs and show and sell the work to artcollectors, museums etc. By having a gallery I have more time for making new work, ad that’s most important for me.
© Levi van Veluw
Fabiano Busdraghi: What are your favorite photographic and art sites? Do you read any photo e-zine, blog or online art magazine?
Levi van Veluw: Most times I read the art section of the dutch newsapers on the internet. And I like these blogs: http://pytr75.blogspot.com/ http://iheartphotograph.blogspot.com/
Fabiano Busdraghi: Do you have any photographic dream? Something you want to shoot and you can’t, some camera you dream to have, some place you want to go…
Levi van Veluw: At this moment I am really spoiled with all the succes. I have everything I want and do everything I want to do. Making new and better work will always stay my main ambition. Although I do have one majore ambition for the future, that’s setting up a new institute for arts.
© Levi van Veluw
Fabiano Busdraghi: Can you speak about one or more of your favorite photographer and tell us why you love his/their work?
Levi van Veluw: I like artist like, Jeff Wall and Erwin Wurm.
Fabiano Busdraghi: During the past you had been an assistant of Erwin Olaf. Can you describe your experience? How is working with a master of contemporary photography?
Levi van Veluw: Mainly working really hard for 6 months. I liked traveling to the US, France etc. I learned lot’s of things, but you also see things you want to do differently.
