Truth be told, I've been keeping a close eye on Jon Estwards' polaroid selfies way before John Edwards, of a similar name, was a presidential nominee in 2008.
The 22-year-old Aquarian from Montreal, Canada says he is in the process of changing his legal name, in a similar fashion in which he augments reality through his images.
The 22-year-old Aquarian from Montreal, Canada says he is in the process of changing his legal name, in a similar fashion in which he augments reality through his images.
Oarfish
Describe the style of your photography? What type of camera do you use?
Altered reality photography. I'm interested in documenting things that don't exist in the human world. I use a Polaroid camera.
Altered reality photography. I'm interested in documenting things that don't exist in the human world. I use a Polaroid camera.
As an artist, do you feel that you are able to tamper with your childhood curiosity and wonder?
Yes. I think it's important to retain a lot of the same perspectives from my childhood. I still care about doing the same things I wanted to do artistically when I was a kid. I really don't want to fall into society's traps, and lose track of it all. I'm also still completely confused about the universe and life, and I still have endless curiosity and wonder left. I'm very naïve in a lot of ways.
Yes. I think it's important to retain a lot of the same perspectives from my childhood. I still care about doing the same things I wanted to do artistically when I was a kid. I really don't want to fall into society's traps, and lose track of it all. I'm also still completely confused about the universe and life, and I still have endless curiosity and wonder left. I'm very naïve in a lot of ways.
How do you remain consistent in producing whimsical photos?
I actually don't. I have a limited amount of film and try to be very careful with how I use it, so I don't take photos very often, until I feel like there's enough to work with. I'm currently working on props, sets and costumes to use in photos. Lately when I take a photo, I'm half documenting what I'm working on, but also trying to use them with purpose in every new photo.
Since your name is identical to former presidential candidate John Edwards, do you follow American politics at all?
I try not to because it makes me too miserable, but I do know more than I would like to. I actually had to edit my name from Edwards to Estwards because there are too many people with my name that I don't want to be associated with, including other artists. I'm hoping to come up with a full new name in the future because I don't like being called Jon but have nothing else right now, really.
I try not to because it makes me too miserable, but I do know more than I would like to. I actually had to edit my name from Edwards to Estwards because there are too many people with my name that I don't want to be associated with, including other artists. I'm hoping to come up with a full new name in the future because I don't like being called Jon but have nothing else right now, really.
I'd like to travel more, but I haven't had the opportunity for a while. I visited Nicaragua in 2008.
Do you remember any of your recent dreams? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
It was possible to pass through mirrors and walk out of another mirror anywhere in the world if you focus on where you would like to be. I couldn't focus, and I ended up in a strange realm where I was attacked by a giant demon made out of mirrors. I somehow altered its shape, and it became half-trapped in a short, wide mirror. It still was able to claw at and smash the mirror I was trying to escape into. I was trying to pass through the shards of mirror on the ground, but I don't know if I was able to fit through them.
What do you want to ultimately gain from producing photos?
Building new realities with more clarity. I also hope it brings more people into my life with similar yearnings. I'm open to working with musicians and other artists on larger projects. I'm interested in making dream dimensions a more present part of the physical world.
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Check out Jon Estwards' work here and Facebook page here.
Absolutely enthralled by his art. I don't remember when I first discovered it, but I certainly haven't forgotten it. Wonderful to read an interview with him, what he said about American politics "I try not to because it makes me too miserable ... " I agree with wholeheartedly. That recent dream sounds pretty wild, but good inspiration for making art, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe thought that our government is in the hands of many shoddy figures can be disheartening, but thank goodness for arts, music, culture and everything in between. Thanks for dropping by Susanna!
Deletei really love his photos, he has really created an alternate reality with them.
ReplyDelete