artistcloseup.com Interview — Artistcloseup.com - Your favorite place to discover new artists Feb 20 Written By Adelé Kotzé David Aimone David resides in Saratoga Springs, NY David Aimone, an American photographer, seamlessly intertwines the principles of pictorialists with modern expression, marking the convergence of artistic tradition and contemporary vision. Raised in a family steeped in musical and artistic influences, David's artistic odyssey started in his youth as a member of the Ridgewood Camera Club. Embarking on the exploration of large-format film post-college, David's self-guided journey mirrored an independent study master's degree, allowing him the freedom to experiment with diverse techniques and cultivate a distinctive style. What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world? “I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, in a fairly affluent town called Wyckoff. It was a lovely place to grow up, the schools were good and it was on the edge of the suburbs that, at that time, turned to rural not far from where I lived. It was a short trip to the Big City! My family was both musical and artistic, but both were somewhat “discouraged” as a career. I wanted to study music in college, but my parents said no and since they were paying for it, I majored in something else just as impractical but with less of a stigma: cultural anthropology. I later ended up going to graduate school and received a masters degree in music education. I attended the State University of New York and Columbia college as an undergraduate; and the College of St. Rose for my graduate program. My brother is an artist and teacher; my father was artistic but rarely ever indulged himself with art; my aunt was first violin in the Paterson Philharmonic Orchestra; and my great-grandfather was a famous bandleader and trumpet player in the early 1920’s in Germany. All five of his children played in his band before they were sent overseas later in the decade.” What inspires you? “At the core of my photographic exploration is a therapeutic quest for imperfections, a deliberate departure from mainstream ideals. Themes of ephemeral states, beauty, and imperfections saturate my work, inspired by the rebellious spirit of pictorialists challenging the relentless pursuit of photographic perfection. I also draw inspiration from art that balances simplicity with layers of complexity.” What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work? “The essence of my work extends an invitation to viewers to transcend their ordinary visual norms, discovering beauty in new ways and crafting personal narratives from the images. It is an opportunity to redefine societal and personal notions of beauty and perfection. This process involves peeling away layers of perfection in the presented photos.” “At the core of my photographic exploration is a therapeutic quest for imperfections, a deliberate departure from mainstream ideals.” How would you describe your work? “I use a variety of alternative and experimental methods to capture and present a subject in a different way, allowing/provoking the viewer to go beyond that which is obvious at first glance. These methods steer the viewer away from the perceived perfection of modern photographic techniques, which in their own way prevent the viewer from seeing below the idealized surface of the subject.  Going beyond, the result is a more deeply satisfying and illuminating experience through the viewers’ own perceptions, allowing them to find the meaning, emotion and unexpected revelations within the image.   Each alternative and experimental method is a tool to produce a range of alternative representations for the image. Modern photographic techniques, often considered as reaching a “perfection,” provide a literal and intellectual understanding of the presented subject. By using alternative and experimental methods, the viewer and the artist can find an intangible, indirect, artful story beyond the literal and perfect. I strive to present that which cannot be rendered merely through intellectually and technically perfect narrative stories. Methods used for capture and presentation are part of the continuum of tools for making my images. They are one process, allowing a range of re-presentations for viewer interpretation.  While each method individually may seem simple within itself, the totality of the process becomes inexplicably and mysteriously complex compared to computerized, algorithmic photography. Often when working with these methods, and at different stages along the way, there are many “aha!” moments. These moments can be as the subject takes form on a ground glass, as the negatives are pulled from the developer, as a print comes to life through the stages of development, just to describe a few examples.  Rarely when using editing tools on the computer do these “aha!” moments appear.” Which artists influence you most? “Influences range beyond the photographic to musicians such as JS Bach, modern minimalists, and British classic and progressive rock such as the Beatles, Genesis and Pink Floyd. Artist influences include Klimt, Van Gogh, O’Keefe and Monet. Photographic influences include the pictorialists Steichen, Stieglitz, Strand; Edward Weston and Ansel Adams; Francesca Woodman, Imogen Cunningham, Joyce Tennyson; and Hiroshi Subimoto.”  What is your creative process like? “In my artistic process, I find many "aha!" moments, whether the subject takes form on a ground glass, negatives emerge from the developer, or a print comes to life through various development stages. Armed primarily with medium and large-format film, I meticulously develop my creations in a home darkroom. My portfolio includes traditional silver gelatin prints, showcasing my commitment to both time-honored techniques and innovative processes - analogue/digital fusion. Hand-coated emulsions and alternative printing techniques underscore my artistic versatility. Creating stunning prints is a journey that begins with a single moment - a stunning sunset, a blooming flower, or a bustling city street. To bring these moments to life, I employ a variety of processes that capture the essence of the scene and translate it onto paper. Every step of the way, I am experimenting and learning, refining his craft and striving to create prints that not only look beautiful, but are unique to each and every scene.” What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving? “In a world of increasing noise everywhere- in media, politics and the environment, and increasing social isolation, the artists’ role is distill all of the sensory bombardment into authentic, meaningful visual statements. In a world where AI is invading the human psyche, artists can remind us of that which is truly and inherently human.” Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share? “My artistic journey has garnered recognition, with notable achievements such as a solo show at the SOHO Photo Gallery in New York City, group shows in New York, London and Rome, a featured spotlight in Model Society, acknowledgment from various institutions, and coverage in major magazines.”