A Duo to Reckon with: Oliver Cartwright & Volker Fleck
November 21st, 2009 | Published in Fashion Peeps | 2 Comments
Words by Maria. Photos by Volker Fleck, graphic artistry by Oliver Cartwright.
Duos come in many forms: lovers, fighters, dancers, justice seekers, and in this particular occasion, artists. The word “collaboration” is used often when duos of this kind come together, and that is what Volker Fleck, fashion photographer, and Oliver Cartwright, graphic designer, are doing. The result is something one doesn’t see very often, but it is something that could very much be a new wave in fashion imagery, and hopefully be seen in the pages of fashion magazines around the world in editorials and features. (Certainly you will see it on the pages of String Magazine, namely our November fashion editorial). Cartwright’s work adds a different dimension to Fleck’s already delicious images, adding another layer to the photos’ savour. The composition and shapes Fleck’s camera captures harmonizes with Cartwright’s work, sometimes even in abrupt and sporadic ways, but always leading the eye throughout the photos and making it linger in appreciation.
An interview of course was in order with these two artists, and this is what they had to say:
Describe the work that you do.
Oliver Cartwright - My work mainly consists of doing graphic design and illustration for projects across the globe. I am also working on a collaborative project with fashion photographer Volker Fleck.
Volker Fleck - I shoot mostly fashion… with a sexy edge. Being located in Los Angeles I have started also working more and more with most major motion picture studios for celebrity shoots. I would describe my work as very visual and minimalistic. I like clean lines as well as interesting perspectives and try to shoot as much natural light as possible.
Describe who you are.
OC - I’m a graphic artist based out of England that specializes in graphic design and illustration. I have been freelancing as a designer for one year now. My artistic background lies in 3D Design; however, I am mainly self-taught. 3D is a completely different realm of design so I kind of had to teach myself the aesthetic I currently maintain.
VF - I was born in Hamburg, Germany, but traveled around the world for most of my childhood with my mother. I picked up a camera at age 6–my dad had them all over the place since he was a professional photographer. I started studying film and worked in TV production, commercials, and at an advertising agency for a while until I went back to my passion of photography. I shot mostly for German companies: advertising, fashion, and catalogues. After a short visit in NY I moved to LA, where I call home now. But one of my favourite cities in the world is Buenos Aires, Argentina where I also shoot as much as I can and have an agent for my South America jobs.
What is the most challenging part about the work you do?
OC - That is an easy question for me! Getting work is by far the hardest part of my job by miles. I’m not sure if it’s due to the current economical climate we’re in or the fact that my work isn’t as commercially viable as other designers’. As a freelancer I am faced with an overwhelming objective response when it comes to getting work with any entity on a corporate level. I face a lot of rejections not only from potential jobs but also design agencies that don’t see my work as something that can be marketed well. Overall, though, my aim as a designer is to keep my work as original and creative as possible and if people don’t see that there is nothing I can do.
VF - Always finding new pictures. I don’t like doing things over and over again. The challenge for me is to always try to create something I haven’t done before or at least keep it visually stimulating.
When working on a new project, what stages do you go through to get to the finished product?
OC - I normally work in an unpredictable kind of way. I have stages for other parts of my job but when designing it is a totally organic process. Everything has an effect on how the final piece will look. For instance, I discover a lot of new techniques whilst working on a project. So normally planning anything puts artistic constraints on the piece in hand. I like to approach all my work in a manner as fluid and open minded as possible so the piece looks honest and original.
VF - Massive amounts of tea… and a very long process of thinking about all the possible details. I don’t know if it is because I am German but I can’t get into a shoot unprepared and try to wing it. Meeting with the stylist, makeup artist, and scouting the location. Getting to know the model as much as possible to become familiar. I really enjoy working with people who have personality.
Why did the both of you decide to work together?
OC - At the beginning of the 2009 I decided to start a project where I put my hand drawn illustrations over fashion photography. I did this project for a month with another photographer from Los Angeles before Volker approached me by email. I was happy Volker found my work because I have a lot of respect for him and his photography: he is very passionate and maintains that true artistic integrity.
VF - When I saw some of Oliver’s work I knew I had to work with him! So we started communicating via email and this is what we still do. We’ve never met in person… yet!
As two people that are physically a world apart, what is the process that you go through to complete a project together?
OC - With the internet being the foundation of making it all happen, the possibilities are endless. The internet makes anything possible for two people to collaborate. The method is pretty simple, really, it is just an exchange of each other’s work in a digital format till we are both satisfied. The great thing about the process is Volker’s photography and my illustrative process are completed hands on and only when we combine our work the computer does it’s job.
VF - We are now like an old couple. We chit chat about everything on our mind. I always send him pictures of the models I want to use and location, as well as styling and sometimes makeup ideas. Once I have finished a new shoot I will send a couple of images to Oliver and have him take a look to get a better feel for it. After selecting and colour correcting my images, Oliver gets a link to my selects so that he can name me the ones he likes most. I will send him the high-res versions and he starts with his job. I am always getting teased with clips in the process until he sends me the finished piece of art.
What sort of projects do you hope to accomplish as a team?
OC - I think we are both at the beginning of this project and the potential is endless. I always have new concepts to try out. I think we are both into doing a book and continuing our print series which will be available soon. As far as commercial projects go I don’t really know. I think we both use this project to push our artistic ideas rather than to gain commercial success.
VF - Since we already have done magazine covers and prints, we are now in the process of working out a t-shirt collection as well as eventually publishing a book with the best of our work together. Any recommendations on publishers are welcome! I would actually love to work on an advertising campaign with Oliver. I think that would be brilliant! And very creative. But so far we have not been offered one! I hope that is in our future!
Some people that are in creative fields protest having to do work that is ironically not very creative, as they do not dictate its outcome. Is this something that you also go through, or are you at the point in your career where work like this is not necessary for your survival as an artist?
OC - To be quite honest I have always maintained a solid amount of artistic freedom on projects. The only time I have experienced this is doing work for larger companies. I really don’t see the point in doing a project if it lacks honesty. To be fair I don’t have any interest in working on projects for people that limit my capabilities even if it is a well-paid project.
VF - Our work together is a passion! If we make money with it, great! Of course that would be very rewarding and ultimately the biggest compliment for both of us as it shows Oliver and I are not the only ones who actually like our work. But for this collaboration we are both very dedicated to our vision.
Many artistic people tend to be very critical about their own work. How do you cope with your own criticism, and in that same vein, the criticism of others?
OC - I am fairly laid back when it comes to my work. I just get the job done and move on. I am always focused on what lies ahead but at the same time a lot of effort is put into keeping my design work timeless so I don’t have to look back. Feedback from others is fantastic! It is quite amazing… I receive a lot of nice comments and messages from people every day and I really appreciate that. I want to make people happy and keep them inspired. That is ultimately what I love about the whole creative process.
VF - I am my biggest critic! I like getting as many voices and input as possible. I think only by listening to others and taking it all in do you have the ability to get better and evolve. If I do advertising or contract jobs I like the process of working with a team. The client knows his product best and the agency knows why they’re doing a certain style. It’s the same with Oliver and my work: as a team you have a larger spectrum.
What is the best lesson you have learned in pursuing your career?
OC - For me it’s a combination of perseverance and thinking for yourself.
VF - Work hard and believe in yourself. No one will give you anything for free.
What would be your ultimate dream job?
OC - What I do now.
VF - A fashion or art story around the world that shows the contrast of fashion and poverty in different regions and how you could bridge and help the situation.
If you could work on a project with anyone in the world alive or dead, who would it be?
OC - That’s a tough question. I have no idea. I’m already working on a collaboration with one of my favourite designers so maybe that is a question for the future!
VF - Andy Warhol…absolutely brilliant!
Where do you hope to see your career going in the future?
OC - I actually see the future looking pretty grim for someone that still likes to draw on paper. The way everything is going is getting pretty meaningless with everything being done on computer. Thing’s are just as easily consumed as they are created. I want to stay connected to my work and keep it as hands-on as I can make it. Also, just use the computer as a tool rather than something that contradicts how my work evolves.
VF - I would just like to do what I love to do as long as I can: take pictures! And hopefully make enough money with that to get along, support my passion, and be able to involve myself more in charities.
See more of Volker Fleck’s work here and more of Oliver Cartwright’s here.
November 21st, 2009
Crazy. Really good photos!
November 23rd, 2009
Whoa. This is amazing. Would love to see more of their work!