G.A.G.G. Artist Interview: In which Michel Cadart talks about photography, nudes, and schools me in French

Hey, this month’s G.A.G. G. artist is Michel Cadart. Michel is an old friend of ours, and a very talented photographer. His collection, MDK: Dark & Light, highlight texture, shadow, light, and lines, while showing us a genuine sort of sweetness and joy in the human form. I was lucky enough to catch up with Michel to ask him about photography and the creative soul, and, of course, to get some pointers on my French.

Arys Palen: Thank you very much, Michel, for the interview.
Michel Cadart: Oh, I thank you !
AP: Where are you located, if you don’t mind the question.
MC: Do you mean where I live? I live in France, more precisely in the north of France, where France is the nearest to England.
AP: I’ve heard it’s quite beautiful there.
MC: It’s a nice region. My house is on the cliff and from my windows I can see the English coasts when the weather is clear
AP: Oh! Sounds very artsy and beautiful. (laughs)
AP: How did you get started with photography?
MC: When I was sixteen I got a small plastic camera which I used to shoot horses and sunsets. Then I read Edouard Boubat’s book about photography and it made me want to try it a little further.
AP: Wow, that sounds like a simple and straightforward beginning.
MC: I bought a Lubitel (a 6x 6 Russian camera).
AP: When you were sixteen?
MC: Yes when I was sixteen, the Lubitel. It costs about 100 French francs. It means about 20 US$. Then, when I was 18, my first Nikon.
AP: So photography made quite an impact on you early, it seems. Was it the cameras that drew you in? Or the images? Initially, I mean.
MC: Overall the images. For the first time I was able to create something by myself. The camera was only a tool.
AP: Ah! I know that feeling!
AP: In the beginning how much work did you put into planning out your shots and the final images?
MC: In the beginning, the work wasn’t planned out. I took pictures everywhere, at any time. It was nearly an addiction.
(Arys Palen laughs)
MC: Many shoots and not many good pics, but some though
AP: How consciously were you using this addiction to refine your style and eye?
MC: I was “trying”, experimenting. I wanted to know what exactly I could expect from this media. I learned classical photography rules, and techniques, but soon transgressed them and tried to go further.
AP: (laughs) As any good creative person has a responsibility to do!
MC: Now, the experimentation is much less technical.
AP: Do you only shoot in black and white?
MC: Now, I only use black and white traditional argentic technique. Before, it happened that I used color photography, but it’s not my style, now.
AP: I can see why, your images are beautiful.
MC: Thank you. My interest in these pictures is to capture, forms, lights, textures and, of course, a part of the humanity of the model.
AP: You capture an innocence and sensitivity in the black and white that the color may distract.
AP: How did you get started doing nudes?
MC: My first nude pictures, except some made with girlfriends when I was a student, were made at a Beaux-Arts school. It was very new for me. I think, as many artists, I was attracted by the nude human body.
AP: Hmm… Is it your preferred image for photos? I know your last exhibit for GAGG was another set of nudes. (Last July’s Paysage de corps – Body Scenery exhibit.)
MC: It’s my current work. I don’t say I’ll only make nude pictures for the rest of my life, but now and for the last few years, it’s what I’m working on. There’s so much to do around a human body. I’d love to shoot male nudes too, but it’s much more difficult to find male models
AP: Are nudes easier or harder to shoot?
MC: It’s a hard discipline. Nude pictures can easily look harsh.
AP: When you start a project do you already have it planned out in your mind?
MC: Now I can say yes. It hasn’t always been true before. But now, I know what I want to get and I explain to the model what we are working for. The model must be involved in the project as well or it doesn’t work.
AP: So your images are deliberate. Do you still just go out and shoot for the sake of shooting?
MC: Of course, but much less than a few years ago.
AP: Just for fun? Or do you get some good images then too? (laughs)
MC: I can get very good images that way too. When I find a subject which speaks to my mind ; I’ll show you, one day, a set of pics I made of wrecked boats.
AP: Oooh! Sounds interesting. I’ll hold you to that!
AP: During your shoots, do you find you still get happy accidents?
MC: What do you mean?
AP: Do you still get accidental shots that you didn’t expect, but are better, maybe, than what you initially had in mind?
MC: When I work in a studio, for nude pictures, never. I’m very slow when I shoot. I know exactly what I want. It happens that I get “bad” accidents by not getting exactly what I wanted
AP: I admire your precision.
(MC smiles)
AP: How long have you been doing this? If you don’t mind me asking…
MC: Photography? I told you since I was sixteen, so you’re asking my age? (laughs)
AP: (laughs) No, just trying to get an idea of how long you’ve been shooting. Experience and all. But that’s fine [if you'd rather not say]. Your mystery is part of your charm!
MC: No problem. I’m 51 so I’ve been doing this for 35 ans years, sorry.
AP: (laughs) No problem, my French is coming along. I’m starting lessons soon.
MC: Good!
AP: Who are some of your favorite artists and photographers? Some of your influences.
MC: Oh, that’s easy to say: Edouard Boubat, Jean-loup Sieff, Fred Aufray, and in a different style Helmut Newton.
AP: Oh! I love Helmut Newton’s stuff as well.
MC: And I’m not shy to say that I loved David Hamilton, too, when I was younger. David Hamilton’s work has been decried, but I think that he inspired a whole generation.
AP: o.0 I am not familiar. I will have to look him up. At least not familiar by name
MC: He photographed very young girls with softener filters on his camera
AP: Ah. Okay, yes, I think I have seen his work. I may have some around the house in a photography book somewhere.
MC: it was in the 70’s. That was allowed. Now, he’d be called a pedophile ! (laughs)
AP: Art is a sensitive area for some. o.0
MC: Do you know that Lewis Caroll used to make nude pictures of little girls?
AP: Yes, I had read that. (laughs) He had lots of issues from a modern perspective, though.
AP: How do you usually discover new art?
MC: By word of mouth and a few by exploration.
AP: Well, I thank you for taking the time to talk to me about art and creativity and such.
MC: Thanks for your interest in me and in my work, Arys.

May 11, 2009