Paul Kwiatkowski: Nothing overcast here.

one small seed catches up with Paul Kwiatkowski – the South Florida-raised, New York-based photographer who documents his life experiences in an often-haunting, idiosyncratic manner. At the moment, 29-year-old Kwiatkowski is focussing on writing, while he is finishing his first novel and photo essay. AND EVERY DAY WAS OVERCAST is an upcoming novel and photo essay about the ‘coming of age in the creep show of swamps and strip malls that is South Florida.’ (Kwiatkowski)

I thought of creating the book as way to tell a story based on the personal mythology of coming of age as well as my life as a teenager dealing with loss, obsession, change, confusion, bullies, sex, drugs and friendships. (Paul Kwiatkowski, thewildmagazine)

image source: www.c-heads.com

How’s Paris going? What are you doing there?

It’s great! I’ve been here working with a co-publisher and a graphic designer on combining the photo-essay with novel aspects of AND EVERY DAY WAS OVERCAST into a cohesive book.

When can we expect AND EVERY DAY WAS OVERCAST to be released?

Looks like it will be available to pre-order around November of this year. I’ll let you know where to get it as soon as I know.

What did you get up to over the Easter weekend?

I really wanted to experience Euro Disney on acid but was unanimously urged against it by my French colleagues. Instead I caught the flu and hung out with friends in the French suburbs.

You have captured some intimate moments of peoples lives, where is your mindset and are you detached in some way?

It depends. I didn’t start taking photos with the mindset of making art or documenting anything outside my own point of view. As a teenager I was the only one in my group of friends to have a camera. I used it as something to hide behind. Now I’m more excited by the idea of projecting my own fantasies onto a scenario. I’m equally as interested in capturing moments of vulnerability and connecting with my subject. The most rewarding part of that dialogue is that end result comes out unexpected.

What was it like as a child to go with your mother to work?

My mother had a slew of jobs in the field of social work. She investigated child abuse cases, was a grief counsellor and helped new families navigate the horrendous US adoption circle. As a child I shadowed her at work as an investigator a handful of times. Those experiences flavored my outlook.

image source: www.paulkmedia.com

Do you think taking acid and other hallucinogenic drugs opens new doors of creativity?

I can’t say that hallucinogens will make you more creative but I think there is value in having the awareness to observe yourself at a distance and to examine the experience.

It’s a worthy endeavour to be fearless when exploring your own psyche. That’s the difference between just gathering information as opposed to knowledge and wisdom.

Your most memorable trip?

Oh man I don’t want to spoil it because I wrote about them at length in the book but I recently took mushrooms in the Mojave Desert and was completely taken back by the landscape. In addition, that same evening I randomly met the writer of one of my favorite childhood sitcoms, Alf. We had a conversation about writing that totally blew my mind.

Throbbing Gristle made some interesting music, I know you were a fan, what music are you into these days?

Throbbing Gritsle is such a great gateway band to experiencing music and art differently. Lately I’ve been really into work like Bohren & der Club of Gore, Tim Hecker, Radio Amor and Calla’s Scavengers album. I also still have much love for metal. I’ve been raging out to a bunch of newer bands such as Origin, I Declare War, Gaza, and Psyopus.

What camera are you using at the moment?

Whatever is cheap.

image source: www.paulkmedia.com

Any new projects you can fill us in on?

I’m juggling a bunch of new projects at the moment most notably a new book called Summer Chills and slew of fashion editorials. I take some awful guilty pleasure in shooting fashion. It’s the only format that still feels like you’re getting away with something.

Do you think this dark side of human behaviour you captured (click here for more) in Florida is everywhere, in everyone?

Naturally there is a darkness is all around us but what makes Florida unique is its location to the rest of the United States. Everything about that place, from its climate, to being a peninsula, beach culture and it’s proximity to the Caribbean all cater to an escapists’ mindset. If you want to commit a crime, disappear, start over or give up, Florida is the perfect place.

image source: www.paulkmedia.com

What advice could you give a young aspiring photographer?

Be humble. Take risks. Be spontaneous. Realize that you’re most likely never going to make any money out of it.

You mentioned your grandfather was from Cape Town, any plans to come to South Africa?

My grandfather is Polish but has been living in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth for the better part of 40 years. Last time I came to South Africa was in the early ’90s and I’ve been dying to come back. I would jump on any opportunity to return.

I must say you have really changed the white picket fence ‘American Dream’ picture I had of your country… personally you have made it seem a far more interesting place, illustrating how those picture-perfect ideals are an illusion that people attain to.

We’re fucked!

image source: www.paulkmedia.com

1 comment

Libros, películas y adolescentes que fuman en los baños « Pablo Poveda says:

Aug 24, 2012

[…] dejo con el trabajo de Paul Kwiatkowski, un chaval neoyorkino que publicará pronto un libro de historias basadas en las fotografías que recoge con su […]