Yakushima Blues by Mauro Mongiello
Yakushima Blues by Mauro Mongiello
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About this series
Argentine photographer Mauro Mongiello made a photo document of a place unknown to most and visited by less. In 2018, during an artistic residency on the Japanese island of Yakushima, Mongiello captured a diary-like story where a certain melancholy lingers. In Yakushima Blues, published by Paripé books, the photographer has recorded his passage through the island, its places, some characters and inhabitants who narrate with their eyes the particular place they inhabit.
Interview
Where did the idea for the Yakushima Blues project originate; before or during your artist residency?
The idea started while I was in residency. My mood during the stay in Yakushima defined my vision of the Island and I started shooting almost as soon as I came out of the airport.
That sounds passionate! Tell us more about your process developing this collection. What draws you to such fascinations in your series?
The Island of Yakushima has a magical atmosphere, the situation of the island and the feeling of isolation gave me a lot of inspiration. Every corner, every little detail I would see along my walks during my stay in Yakushima pushed me to take pictures and document it.
How much of this work is a question of documentary, and how much is it a question of capturing an artistically imaginative image?
My work is less about documentary and more about an artistic point of view. My primary focus is toward the feelings and sensations that a place gives me and the state of mind I’m in at the moment I capture those pictures. Rather than a purely descriptive photography I think my work is more emotional and personal.
What are one or several challenges you face when creating the documentary?
Due to my commercial and fashion work I sometimes find it difficult to keep some distance from that world and not fall into certain clichés. But once I’m in the streets, and my mind is in the right place, I just take pictures and try to keep my eyes open to surprises and inspiration.
Have you ever thought of releasing this or any other serie as NFTs?
I never thought of that…I guess I’m very old school. But why not, I’m always open to new adventures!
Who are some of your favorite photographers?
It’s hard to name a few…There are so many photographers that I admire, for example Robert Frank, Bresson, Avedon, Eggleston, Daido Moriyama, Eikoh Hosoe, Friedlander, Meyerowitz, Diane Arbus…and so so many others!
Where are you heading next?
Currently in-between Madrid, Paris and Los Angeles where I work and collecting more images for future projects.
How do you see yourself progressing as an artist?
I hope that I can keep on working from my art and hopefully print a new book soon.
Artist Bio
Mauro Mongielle was born In Rosario, Argentina in 1972. After moving to Paris he started working as a photographer as part of the duo “Sofia & Mauro”.
They won the Picto prize for young fashion photographers in 2002 and held their first exhibition at Le Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
Their work has been displayed at museums and galleries such as Le Musee des Arts Décoratifs de Paris, the Shiseido Gallery in Paris, Gallery Emmanuel Perrotin Paris(collaboration with Elmgreen and Dragset exhibition), Musée Européen de la Photographie (Collective exhibition), Three Gallery Tokyo and The Annenberg Space for Photography (Los Angeles).
Sofia and Mauro’s client roster includes brands both in luxury fashion and jewellery and household name brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy, Armani, Lanvin, Missoni, just to name a few.
His photography has been published in several books: Babeth (Steidl), Swarosky's "Unbridaled - The Marriage Of Tradition and Avant-garde”, “Fashion Eye Buenos Aires” For Louis Vuitton. Since 2001 Sofia & Mauro's imagery has been published in a number of international publications, amongst them are Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Numéro France, Elle, Flair, Ten, New York Times Magazine, The NewYorker, Esquire and Vanity Fair.
Their acclaimed career has been strongly focused on portraying celebrities, political figures, actors and musicians like Jane Fonda, Natalie Portman, Viola Davis, Angelina Jolie, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg, United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Jennifer Connelly, Helen Mirren, Elle Fanning, Lena Duhnam, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Heidi Klüm, Pharell Williams, Lisa Minelli, Colin Firth, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Penélope Cruz, Winona Ryder, Paris Jackson, the list goes on…
As a side project, Mauro is capturing the landscapes of the many places he visits.
Photographer: Mauro Mongiello
Instagram: @sofiaandmauro
Photo book: Yakushima Blues
Photos copyright Mauro Mongiello
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