some kind of blog for friends and likes

Linda came by the studio the other day with her new camera. Voilà, thats how I look on Fridays.

Found these, where Corky is posing in an old celebration to Polaroid.

Spend today reading Richard Yates Revolutionary Road (1961). Im somewhat speechless, finding the book both brilliant and scary. It seems very strange that he was largely forgotten for a long time and at the same time relevant that he was rediscovered by readers in recent years. Anyway, the book lingers in my mind and will probably do so for a while.

Elsa C, shot some time ago with Johanna.

It was just what I needed, spending that evening in the darkroom. It feels that things might have gone a bit to far when locking one self into the dark is the only way to relax from communications. No mail, no blogs, no news, no cellphone, not even a radio. Fantastic. Looking forward to spending more time in there.

Now, lets book everything for next week.

Untitled

Things are starting to pick up speed again. When we moved last April, Corky and I, we decided we didn’t want a television. Seems everything is on the net anyway, or at least on DVD… Thing is, we did it to get rid of distractions. Now, we do read lots and lots of books which is good of course but lately I have come to realize that the feeling of total relaxation in front of the TV is somewhat hard to find elsewhere. When reading you analyze in a different way, more active. In some way ideas seem to come more vivid when input, in forms of books, exhibitions etc, are left to tumble for a while in the mental vacuum in front of the TV.

The solution, I think, might lie in the darkroom. I always had a lot of ideas in there which is why I have rebuild mine. Makes shooting 4*5′ a lot cheaper as well. So I started a little project again. Spare time this autumn/winter will be spend dissecting the world with still lives. Think Plato and one of the characters in Paul Austers New York Trilogy and you get the idea. Yep, its all about semantics.

Decided to go to Copenhagen last week for meetings. Saw some people, all of which are brilliant, especially this one agency called Dyhr Hagen.They seem to have a really nice approach to the business. Have a look at their magazine FAT while you are there.

Tried to save on the environment by taking the train there as opposed to flying. Now if that is going to work they better start doing their job better. I got up at 04.00 in the morning, were stranded in a swedish small town for a couple of hours, and were one and a half hour late on arrival. On top of that the airport didn’t work very good and they ran out of coffee (and seats). Damn.

And the tip of the day will be this nice little site called Arts & Letters Daily. Its perfect to the morning coffee.

In times of despair we do like we did when we were young. We print our message on a t shirt. We might even write a manifest.
If Rykiel Homme shuts down (will they, really?) Ill be all out of autumn sweaters. I think Rykiel has found that perfect balance between beautiful and bold. Those stripes are simply divine.

Besides that its going to be a nice weekend. Drinks with Anders & Lisen tonight, dinner with Niklas tomorrow, and lunch with Martin on Sunday. Now I’m of to Le Rouge for my Friday intake of Whisky Sour and Tom Collins.

Updated my site today, have a look at it here. And the portfolio over at CameraLink of course. Here are some samples:

With the autumn taking over I have been struggling with the same urge as every year. To re-read Robert Steckers Artworks; Meaning, Definition, Value. I read it while studying in Lund, and usually read the first chapter around this time of year. I’m feeling I might finish it this time. Most of the time I discard historicism and functionalism in favor for institutionalism. Its about time to revise. One simply cant uphold a point of view in art due to laziness.

Here is roughly what its about:

Art is an item that is an artwork at time (t) if and only if it is in one of the central art forms at (t) and is intended to fulfill a function art has at (t), or it is an artifact that achieves excellence in fulfilling such a function.

I’m not sure. Still feels like someone has to define the central art forms as well as what functions is desirable. Guess it will all be explained in the book. I cant remember, ask me in a week.

You have to give it to them, Fantastic Man is a great magazine. Its one of the few titles I actually read through, besides the Another Magazines, and maybe Self Service, and not just flick through. For the new issue (No 8) they are perfect bound, and have added a bit more structure to the content. One can only wonder, is the blue theme that keeps occuring through the magazine a flirt with the first edition of Ulysses, back from when Sylvia Beach published it, or am I only reading things into this? I might, to be honest. Still, I really like it.

So. Dear Lena and Louise from CameraLink are off to London for the LeBook Connections. Go have a look in my book if you are there.

Its about time to post some images from the 27th, surely there are more to come. We had a blast, Erika and I.

The cake

The dance

The toastmasters, Anders Rydell and Klas Ekman
Photos by Linda Alfvegren.

The dinner

The dinner 2.0
Photos by Anders Rydell.

And while we are at it, books this week:

-Paul Auster - Man in the Dark
Paul, I do love you, but this book ironically gave me temporary insomnia.

-Paul Auster - The Invention of Solitude
Just for the record, Its not time yet.

-Sartre on Sartre
Don´t know if its linked to the general state of the world, but I feel a strong desire to read Sartre again.

To Brief a Treat - The Letters of Truman Capote - Edited by Gerald Clarke
I bought it to Erika but cant really keep myself from reading it once she falls asleep.

Hans, with whom I share my studio, sometimes disappear suddenly. I have always wondered why and now I think I know. When I needed a test-Polaroid while shooting 4*5′ the other day this happened. Is Hans Batman?

Don´t you just hate it when your favorite wooden spoon breaks into a hundred pieces?

I finally got to read Anders & Klas book Byt namn yesterday, about how to succeed as a journalist. Its very entertaining and witty, and a very good guide for anyone who wants to get into the mediabusiness. If you read swedish, read it, otherwise get an assistant who can translate it for you. Today we are going to focus on beauty.*

*Quick thought:

-There has always been a lot of talk about the difference between editorial and commercial work. Lately Ive been doing a lot of commercial and people are of course warning me not to get stuck there. I have to say I love doing both, you need both perspectives all the time to keep it interesting. Its also really funny when I talk to friends in the artindustri who at times say that I am only doing commercial, since they consider anything that involves a publicist as that. Then on the other hand even artists sometimes accuse each other of selling to much, or in the wrong medium and hence beeing commercial. I guess I love beeing commercial.

One thing I sort of miss sometimes is seeing an exhibition, buying a book and having a drink downstairs at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Those lamps in the ceiling had some nice thing about them. We always left full of ideas.

Saturday was nothing short of amazing. A big thank you to everybody there, images will come. To top everything of I’m reading The conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russel, thank you for the tip G, its a great book. Now its back to focus. I’m going to do more work with models this autumn, its been a lot of still life lately. Come to think of it, I think its going to be more of both. And I’m rebuilding the darkroom as well. Its about time.

Playing around with an image I did with Viktoria and Yana last spring. 

We will be heading to Berns after the wedding for some drinks, at around 01.00. Come by and say hi!

There has been a slight change in focus on this blog recently. From photography and such to marriage. All of that will change on Saturday at 16.00 when Corky will become Mrs Vallin, and I will be me, only happier. Everything is finally set. As far as nerves go the feeling is somewhat close to the almost forgotten moments in highschool when I used to play guitar in a band. Those stage nerves.

Here is some recent work, there is more on the way. See you Monday.

Guess we are starting to get nervous about the wedding, only 8 days left. Stayed out late drinking last night. Its a funny thing nerves, I have always loved to make speeches and lectures, sort of miss that sometimes. I think its more about the whole throwing parties business. That makes me nervous.

A couple of outtakes from a recent shoot:

Went to the first part of Wetterling Gallery’s 30 year anniversary exhibition last night. Its a nice compilation of pop art, I particularly liked that Frank Stella was given so much space with his sculptures. I wonder if people think about how much Björn (the gallery owner) has influenced the swedish art scene, both in terms of showing inspiring art and triggering the buying/selling market. I think swedes in particular sees the commercial art market as something negative largely due to our political history. Feels a bit naive. Lets put that in contrast with Damien Hirsts recent auctions…

BONs creative director Michael Elmenbeck was playing records. I havnt had a chance to look at their redesign properly yet, just a quick look the other day. So far it feels good, more creative, like it did a couple of years ago. I have a couple of pictures in there, go look.

As for creativity in general, I think we are going to see more of it in the near future. When economy goes down, creativity goes up, doesnt it? Less money, better ideas. I hope so, its about time.

This weekend was probably one of the funniest ones of my life so far. It involved massive amounts of alcohol, a lot of my best friends, phaser guns, a dog suit and a suburbian club to mention a few things. And some nudity. It also involved friends getting robbed and sprained ankles, which I am sure also will be funny in some not to distant future. With both of my studio friends out of the country this is by far one of the most unproductive Mondays I have ever spent. Tomorrow will be a good day.*

Say hello to my arm.

*Yes, my bachelor party was this weekend.

Finally got around to updating my portfolio at CameraLink. Its right here. I have been shooting advertising all week and need some sleep soon. The big wedding is only three weeks away, I’m still not nervous at all, guess I will be.

Here are some previews:

Since blogging has become more and more about consumption (at least as far as fashionblogs go), I feel I must tell you that I bought a new pair of Lanvin shoes the other day. And yes, they do have the closest feel to immortality that I am likely to ever feel. And to change the subject: One day when I was shooting I noticed that the background was way to small. Aint that funny.

Desperately need two new suits, new shoes and a couple of bow-ties. Might even go as far as the fashionbloggers and shoot a couple of outfit pictures later. Or not. We´ll see. Here is some images me and Sasa did for the latest Stil issue.

Gun gallery is doing an exhibition with Sølve Sundsbø in Stockholm from tonight until the 21st September. That man is pure brilliance.

The Blumenfeld biography was a nice bit of reading. Its funny how little weight photographers tend to put on the struggle in their early days. It goes something like this: I got a camera when I was a kid, found a darkroom in the back of my office, took portraits, started working for Vogue, switched to Harpers for a while, went to NY and started doing American Vogue, got a studio next to central park. Questions? The book is more about everything else, which is a lot. Two world wars, a lot of moving around and a couple of occupations. And a short mention of the Dada movement of course. Nice quote from the end of the book when E is talkning to an old model turned gansterwife, wearing nothing but mink:

Model Q: –How does minks get their babies?
Erwin A: –The same way baby gets her mink.

I’m sure I have posted these before sometime. A couple of old portraits, kind of like them.

No 4

No 6

No 8

No 10

Finally got hold of Erwin Blumenfelds autobiography Eye to I. His writing is almost as inspiring as his photography, will read and drink coffee all night.

We cleaned the whole apartment and even rearranged the bookshelf. Found the old notes from when I was a philosophy student, will read up on Parfit asap.

I while ago I had the pleasure of portraying two fine gentlemen for their upcoming book release. Anders Rydell and Klas Ericsson, both of whom are friends of mine, have written a book about journalism for journalists. A sort of ´how to´for the young and eager (or the old and outdated?). Its called Byt Namn (Change your name) and will most likely be amazing. They do dress their part as well. If you speak swedish you should definitely go have a look on their blog. The book is released on October 2nd.

Went by the Modern Museum of art in Stockholm today. I haven’t had the time in so long and had almost forgotten how inspiring it can be. We saw the works by Ellen Gallagher, in the exhibition Eclipse. Damn. Its by far the best collage work I have seen since Peter Blake did his homage to collagists. Really, breathtaking. I’m going back on Saturday to see it again.

Retouch prints from a recent shoot for Soma magazine. There is of course more on their site and in the magazine.

Make up & hair by Sophia Eriksen / Agent Bauer
Model Sandrah H / Mikas

Day I:

-Woke up at four in the morning and went to the airport. Flew to Paris. Corky drove to Etretat, drank rosé wine, fell asleep.

Day II.

-Woke up. Walked around. Had some rosé wine. Ate Moule marinière, read Vanity Fair and watched CNN for 4 hours.

Day III.

-Woke up. Drove to Deauville. Got amazed how good brands can sell crap fashion on the French coastlines. Drove back. Had Oysters and rosé wine. Discussed Wuthering Heights with Corky. Next vacation will be a trip to the portrait gallery in London to see the portrait of the Brontë sisters by their brother Patrick Branwell Brontë.

Day IV.

-Got up really early. Drove to the airport. Got really upset over the lack of manners in a group of french kids. Started working about 30 seconds after entering the appartment. Now its all about autumn and duffelcoats.

*Not mentioned here are the walks on the beach, Corky entertaining guests at the Hotel by tributing J.M Barrie with the old spoon trick and the fact that we got lost in the car, twice, on the same road. Lets not talk about that.

I think I just realized why one goes on vacation. I usually get really bored and long back to my studio. I feel uncreative when doing nothing. I mean sure, a weekend trip to Paris, Wienna or Berlin can be nice as long as it is inspiring. Right now I’m sitting in a cabin on a mountain with pretty much nothing more than a couple of books, some wine, and a grand view (and nice company of course). It took roughly three days to start planning next year, close my Facebook account and write a prioritylist. What I need to do:

-Publish at least one book within the next year.
-Focus more. On work, inpiration and efficiency.
-Challange myself with litterature, art and interestig people.

Its going to be an amazing autumn.

We are spending the day reading, Corky and I. Today’s books:

-The Crack-Up - F. Scott Fitzgerald. Check
-The Beautiful and Damned - F. Scott Fitzgerald. Half way through.
-Cabaret - Christopher Isherwood. Later tonight.

We climbed a mountain, Corky and I.

Finally had time to clean my desktop. The studio itself is next… At this point there is only one massive still life shoot and one fashion shoot that is separating me from my holiday. Swedish mountains and French beach-hotels, old people and Pointers. The list of books is coming soon.

*Yes, its all about the OC, what else?
**Dear Nike is in correspondence with Corky, lovely.

We took it a bit further still, Jacob and me, on this seasons +46 ad. Last year we did multiple exposures and collages, this year it was more about water.

Spent an amazing weekend in the outskirts of the Stockholm archipelago with L, A & Corky at Ls country house. It has been so long since I had even a weekend like that, just relaxing. Maybe I should try to expand my 9 days vacation a bit.

*Not in a civil disobedience kind of way

From Urban Outfitters

A fair view of my day so far. Invitations are done (at least as far as art direction goes). Tippan Nordén illustrated the fantastic cover and I did the typography. Considering our jobs, Corky and mine, it just felt best to make it a homage to legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch. You figure it out* Only two still lives and a meeting to go.

*Hint: I would say it starts in Didot and ends in Bodoni, or the other way around?

A couple of recent images. There is more, a lot more…

The old Spidermanquote ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ easily translates into something more relevant for a photographer, ‘With great summer comes great creativity’. Its funny, always at this time of year things start building themselves in my studio. Just found this when I was leaving today:

Today is a very good day. A couple of new, very exiting projects are starting. The studio is full of big prints. (Always had a thing for big prints, in fact I remember when I were in my teens I once got a box of 30*40 photo-paper for Christmas. I blew all of them on one giant exposure that wasn’t quite as accurate as I had hoped by pasting all of them on a wall) Tonight there is a drink at my agents place, love those. Next week is fashion-week and my opening. Couldn’t be better.

Karin, and part of the exhibition

Couldn’t help it really. Summer is here, felt like some colour.

Most things were the same:

Laurents living-room was as inspiring as always

Rue Etienne Marcel was the same, except for a new Subways

The park where I used to read everyday was the same

The view was the same

Le Café were most definitely the same

Spending midsummer on Charles de Gaulle were the same

The thing I miss most, except my friends of course, is sitting in Laurents living-room and drinking wine while reading a, say, Man Ray book and within five minutes be able to see the originals at Pompidou. Thats really special.

Back from Paris which was… Paris! Realised just how much work that needs to be done before summer. A couple of ads, some editorial and an exhibition. Wonderful. Next week will be detox-week before fashion-week. Will try to upload some images from Paris. For now, an image from the exhibition Dear Nike will have to do:

Somewhere rather late in our collaboration, when it was all about movement.

Dear Nike Project Pt 1

So. Sometime last fall we started a project, me, stylist Lindha Jacobsson Sagum and model Nike Felldin. We met most weekends in my studio and just took pictures. It was all about curiosity and investigating that special relationship that develops when a team works close together over time. We went from static poses to dynamic movement and ended up in moving images. Now, we will exhibit the project, at least a big part of it, at Urban Outfitters this summer. Drop in and have a look, it will be open for the public from July 2. Im working on a special site for it, hopefully it will be up by Saturday.

Next week I will be in Paris for meetings. See you guys there.

A quick post while scanning 4×5 inch at YFO…
Took Corky to see the new Michel Gondry movie Be kind Rewind last night. He has a special something. I found the last one, Science of Sleep, good but a bit hard to get sometimes. The setup in the new one is however amazing. Nothing short of brilliance, no matter what conservative critics might say.