{TUSK} Richard, I’m so excited that you’ve agreed to be a part of TUSK. Your photography and innovative style inspire me. Not to mention that I truly think you are one of the most genuine and humble artists I know. On Saturday you spoke at the Photo Martini Club about your time in the 70’s as the photographer for Search and Destroy, a magazine out of San Francisco that represented the punk scene and artistic movements happening in that period. It really was a fun event and I loved seeing that body of your work. Tell me what it was like as a photographer during those days.
It was a creatively passionate time, and the entire circle of people seemed so energized that is was almost a mystical experience. It was the only time in my life that I truly felt that I was in the middle of a major art movement, which is what it was, of course, particularly in San Francisco with its deep-roots in rebellious cultural trends.
{TUSK} Who was the most memorable person you have ever photographed ?
That’s a hard-one to answer given that I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph many interesting people, and not just in the Punk-Art categories. It changes from day-to-day and depends on which memory I’m having, or who I’ve been talking about with someone. It’s always more pleasurable and less difficult to photograph someone who appreciates my work. Two of my favorites to think about are the cable giant, John Malone, and Sex Pistols singer, Johnny Rotten, two interesting Johns, two very different worlds.
{TUSK} Who do you wish you could have had the opportunity to photograph?
I really wanted to photograph Joy Division, who were one of my favorite bands in the 1970s. That never worked out because band member Ian Curtis committed suicide; other bands I wish I had been able to meet and photograph include Wire and Cabaret Voltaire. I never managed to photograph Lou Reed off-stage, although I do have live shots of him, but he’s probably my longest-term influence from the music world.
{TUSK} Out of all of your photos, which one is your favorite?
Some days I hate all of them, some days I like all of them. Picking my favorite isn’t easy, plus I see them so often that I become oblivious to them. For long term viewing I tend to like the ambiguous or mysterious looking images, things I can see new worlds in each time I look at them. That probably comes from my Surrealist influences.
{TUSK} Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
Currently, my children, Cornelia and Alden. In the creative realm, I’ve always liked looking in the wrong places for inspiration. For instance, instead of looking at other photographers, I read literature. As a matter of fact, I have a thing for 19th century French Symbolist writers. I’m also inspired by nature, especially considering the place I live.
{TUSK} You have a very cool studio at your home in Indian Hills. What is your favorite piece of equipment?
Actually, I’m happy with any equipment that works; all of this stuff breaks too easily. Obviously, I love my camera, whatever one I’m using, because it’s the main tool I use. If using cameras didn’t give me so much pleasure, I’d likely be a writer since that’s my other love.
{TUSK} What is your favorite part of photography?
I love the interaction with people, my best means of social contact. Every person is different, every person is interesting. Through photography you get to have personal contact with all kinds of people, and the time with them is very revealing and very interesting. People-photography is often a collaboration between the subject and the photographer, and the mixture sometimes results in something powerful, art that goes beyond the abilities of just one person.
{TUSK} What is the one thing you have fought for or wanted most in your life?
To remain open-minded, to see the magic in everything.
{TUSK} Who is your favorite artist?
In photography, Joseph Sudek; in painting, Leonora Carrington.
{TUSK} You are a teacher to so many and I think it’s impressive that you make time to instruct accessible classes in Denver. What do you love most about teaching?
I love helping people, I love the social interaction. Whenever someone says, “Oh, now I get it,” it’s a very rewarding feeling.
{TUSK} What are some of the projects you are working on?
I’m curating a photography show at Vertigo Art Space for March and April called “A Something or other that has no name in any language.” It’s based on Arthur Rimbaud’s text on reaching the unknown, and includes some of Colorado’s best artists. I have a photo group called Heads of Hydra, formerly Denver Tea Party. Also, I met with Adam Lerner of MCA Denver this week to begin planning a Bruce Conner show for 2012, which I’m told is not far away in “museum time.” Conner is an important California artist I worked with for decades. Otherwise, I’ve been shooting commercial work such as the ads for Denver Pavilions.
{TUSK} What political issue is most important to you right now?
I’m very politically aware, and pretty liberal, so I’m disappointed that the self-serving and greed-based right wing extremists are so intent on distorting reality and handicapping our best hope in ages. Former President Bush pretty much destroyed any trace of American integrity, so it’s going to be a major struggle to recover.
{TUSK} What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Be persistent, and accept every “no” as one step closer to “yes.”
{TUSK} Do you have any favorite restaurants or places you frequent in Denver?
I’m a coffeehouse nut, so you’ll often find me in any of the alternative places (as opposed to Starbucks). Recently I’ve been eating at Interstate on Santa Fe Drive, and I’m really liking it there.
{TUSK} If you were conducting this interview, what question might you ask yourself?
Why are we here? Why is this interview REALLY happening?
{TUSK} Your favorite all time musician /band?
Well, depends on my mood. From the ‘60s, Velvet Underground; in the ‘70s, Joy Division. Others that have really held up with time are Neil Young and Leonard Cohen.
{TUSK} What is the craziest/weirdest thing that you’ve ever done or had happen to you?
When I was a teenager, I used to leave my body, or Astral Project, on a regular basis. I had no idea what was going on; I thought I had some strange disease. That experience has actually been a lifelong influence on my art and caused me to lose my fear of death.
{TUSK} With all that you have achieved, what goals do you still have set for yourself?
To make use of this huge body of work that I’ve created, and to be a successful example for my children. I know I’ve spent most of my life as a recluse, so I need to expose myself to the world.
{TUSK} Is there anything that people often assume about you that is not true?
Some people think that I don’t like them when actually I’m just being shy. Happens less often than it used to now that I’m learning to talk to groups. I’m very open and intrigued by different kinds of people, so it’s very rare for me to come across someone I don’t like.
{TUSK} Richard, it’s been so neat for me to have had the opportunity to get to know you a little since we met last summer. You have taught me a lot about photography and have been a huge source of encouragement for me as an artist and with TUSK. Thank you so much for allowing me to interview and photograph you for this issue.
No problem, I really enjoy working with you
