THE EDITOR-AT-HEART TALKS ABOUT HIS CAPTIVATING PHOTOGRAPHY
Story by Hannah Rittner
Mark Peckmezian’s photography is hauntingly beautiful. Everything from the black and white portraits to his lush and whimsical colour shots encapsulate ecstatic movement and the original intensity of every individual. Through his photography, the viewer experiences the unique way he is mesmerized by the world. Although Packmezian is early in his career, some of his photographs have already been published internationally and featured in acclaimed magazines like The Walrus . Here, he speaks to Plaid about his inspiration and intention.
Why are you drawn to photography as an art form?
I’m not sure exactly. I think I’m an “editor” at heart, that’s the creative mode I thrive in, and photography is all about editing. I think I lack the ability to create things from scratch, as, for example, a painter would.
When did you start taking photographs?
In high school.
Where have you lived? How do the places you’ve lived and travelled to change and inspire your work?
I was born and raised and spent my whole life in Toronto, unfortunately. I’m excited to move in the next couple years (hopefully to New York City). As for where I’ve lived in Toronto: I moved to a loft space in 2009 (in which I still live) that has been pretty good for me creatively. I live with other artists and, conveniently, have a large
studio space and darkroom there.
Are you the kind of photographer that constantly takes photos or do you take your time and save the shot for something that draws you in profoundly?
I’m constantly taking photos, but I also plan out set shoots. I carry a camera around with me 24/7, as a rule. I like to shoot a lot, to shoot liberally, to indulge every little creative impulse. I see this sort of work as sketching, a time to test out ideas and give space for my intuition. Our unconscious knows more than our intellect, and I
think artists handicap themselves if they limit themselves to only working from the latter.
What things have you been drawn to recently?
In terms of what I’m consuming of late: the early work of Egon Schiele (his work is a paragon of expressiveness in art). I’ve been reading some of the letters of Van Gogh (very interesting stuff, a window into the mind of a true artist), [and] been hooked on Woody Allen recently (love his armchair sociology).
What film and camera do you use most?
I use a bunch of different cameras and films, depending on what I’m going for. I’d say I use a Hasselblad most often, with Tri-X 400.
What kind of photography have you not tried yet that you’d like to give a shot?
I want to shoot plants, and maybe some landscapes.
What do you hope to achieve with your photography?
I don’t know. I know that I just want to do it, that I need to do it. I don’t know where this will lead and don’t really even care; it’s an end in itself in my mind.
