Nguyễn Quốc Thành: Just right before Jamie wanted to shoot me for this series, a friend of mine reminded me about Francis Bacon who revolutionized painting people, painting them “inside out”, showing the shapes of the muscles of human body under the skin. So when I sat there for Jamie, I tried to follow the great painter, in a way that I tried to “strengthen” my muscles as much as possible, in a desperate hope that it would affect the result. Actually I also wanted to do the opposite of what many sitters do, not to relax in front of the camera.
Why did you feel you had to be in the image in order to make this presence literal?
I don’t really understand why Jamie tried to be in the pictures, naked, hiding in shadows but showing himself at the same time. Since the photographer is always ‘present’ by taking the photograph – since the camera cannot make pictures by itself – why did you feel you had to be in the image in order to make this presence literal?
Jamie Maxtone-Graham: While it was an important element for me to be in the images, it was also important to be found only in the shadows of each image. Furthermore, in a number of the images – and yours is one of them – I am something like a mirror of the subject, reflecting the posture or pose of that person. Actually, Thành, this image of us was the first one I experimented with this idea in.
While it was an important element for me to be in the images, it was also important to be found only in the shadows of each image…I am something like a mirror of the subject
I liked the way it worked and I did it on others as well. The presence in the shadow had the effect of being ‘there’, being present, but also not fully there or not equally there. It was also interesting because I was not aware of the tension in your body until you told me about it afterwards; I was only evaluating your facial expression which you made so serene and so calm. But in looking at your image afterwards I saw the tension in your fists and I really liked the contrast between your body and your face. It’s not obvious and I like that it causes some disquiet in your persona and then also between the way you are in the light and the way I am in the shadow. I am always appreciative of the chances people take in work.
