BILLET 10

A CONVERSATION WITH PHOTOGRAPHER HAL

Love has always been one of the most potent sources of inspiration for creative works. Japanese artist, Photographer Hal, however, depicts love with an exhilarating edge that is as intimate and psychological as it is visually captivating.

Hal’s preferred subjects or mediums for conveying the power of love are quite unassuming at face value: he photographs real couples surrounded by objects of their everyday lives. The delectable twist to this age-old narrative is that Hal vacuum-seals his subjects in plastic. 

His inspirations for this ongoing project, titled Zatsuran, range from the cosmic magnitude of black holes to the mundane miracle of an embryo surrounded by amniotic fluid in the womb. Likewise, Hal’s couples’ bodies are molded against each other in a claustrophobic embrace, their personal paraphernalia suctioned to their bodies in parallel intensity. 

The resulting image, captured from above, is a stunning snapshot of the acute psychological vulnerability and thrilling urgency of falling in love. 

In this exclusive interview, Photographer Hal keys us in on his creative process and tells us about his views on the power of love.

THE FINE PRINT: Much of your work focuses on themes of love and relationships; how do you find couples to photograph? 

PHOTOGRAPHER HAL: I look for couples any time, anywhere. Some couples were found by social media, some couples I found in bars [or] night clubs, some couples e-mailed me. In the early days, I was attracted to showy people; recently I have been interested in any kinds of people.

TFP: How do your subjects usually react to the photos of themselves and their partners?

HAL: Every one [of my subjects] was surprised by their picture, and [they all] liked it. I was glad that everyone said it became a good memory of themselves.

TFP: Your photographs of couples in intimate settings have progressed quite naturally from couples in bathtubs (“Couple Jam”) to couples in vacuum-sealed bags (“Flesh Love”, “Zatsuran”). Do you remember how the idea of the vacuum-sealed bag came to you?

HAL: I am always inspired by the formal elements of my work. I think that the fun of couple photography is in a couple’s degree of [physical] adhesion. When a couple is photographed outside they may be shy, but [when photographed in private,] they can manifest their passionate love by embracing tightly. This physical adhesion expresses the depth of their love. After publishing the photobook, Couple Jam, I sought out a material that could envelop or stick a couple with everyday articles from their lives. [What I came up with was] the vacuum bag used for bedding. 

TFP: How exactly do you shoot the vacuum-sealed photos? 

HAL: I construct photographic sets in my own kitchen. The lights are in the ceiling, so I just flip one switch and have everything ready. I have a few different colored paper backgrounds, which I leave rolled up in the corner.

After the couple gets in the vacuum pack, I suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner until there’s none left. This gives me 10 seconds to take the shot. In this extremely limited time I can’t release the shutter more than twice. 

TFP: How do the potential danger and time limit affect the meaning or essence of your work?

HAL: As the shooting continues over multiple takes, the pressure of the vacuum seal grows stronger. At the same time, the two bodies start to communicate, and whether through unevenness of limbs or the curve of joints they begin to draw a shape of what they want to express. The two lovers draw closer until they finally transform into a single being.

TFP: When creating series like “Flesh Love” and “Zatsuran”, do you or do the couples in the photo choose what they wear and what objects are included?

HAL: You see naked models in these series. Most couples brought 2 or 3 changes of clothing to the studio, naked being one variation of costume. The couple and I would decide on the costumes for the shoot so that they may express themselves as much as possible. 

TFP: I hear you are sponsored by Condomania; how did this wonderful partnership form?

HAL: I got an email one day from an ad company proposing a collaboration between  the “Flesh Love” series and a condom company. I thought it matched with Flesh Love, so I decided to go ahead with [the collaboration]. It’s a wonderful thing that there is demand in society for my artwork. The contract has already finished, [but] if any opportunity like this arises again, I would like to do it again.

TFP: Could you explain the idea behind your professional name “Photographer Hal”?

HAL: I go by the name Photographer Hal. [The name] comes from regarding myself as some kind of vicious computer machine like in Space Odyssey since I like to take pictures like machines such as purikura photo sticker booths. I know how people can use these sticker booths to express themselves. I respect that and just try to capture this essence [in my photography].

TFP: You yourself have been photographed in the vacuum-sealed bag; how does it feel?

HAL: You can see a shrinked profile photo of me [in the vacuum-sealed bag] in the Zatsuran photo book. In the early days I went in there myself. It made me feel fear, but after a while I got used to it. I think the photographer should know what the models feel.

TFP: Would you recommend a photoshoot with you as couple’s therapy?

HAL: To see my work and to participate in my shoots is a good chance to reconfirm and reconsider a relationship with a lover.

TFP: Finally, after contemplating love throughout your career and working with so many couples, what are your thoughts on love?

HAL: I think that love is the most important thing on earth. I think that everything in the world begins with focusing on love. I am currently seeking new dimensions in portrait photography by challenging the majestic theme of mankind, defined through love. To express the strength of love I decided to choose couples as a subject. I intend to visualize this power of love by adhering and unifying couples. The smaller the distance between them, the stronger the power. The law of gravity also shows the pull is stronger when two objects become closer; and glue, too, is stronger when it is applied thinner. To be adhered shows their [love’s] strength [which is why] I decided to vacuum-pack couples as a method of expressing coherence.

Photography PHOTOGRAPHER HAL

For more pictures, go to: http://thefineprintmagazine.com/the-transition-issue-a-conversation-with-photographer-hal/

Please contact Estelle Gervais by email for more information.