’89 domande a Jason Renaud – Photographer
How old are you? I am 30 years old.
What’s your job? Photographer and director.
When did you step into the world of photography? I was going to film school and accidentally picked up photography on the side. It stuck to me.
How would you describe your photography in three words? Sensitive, dark, cinematic.
If your camera could speak, what would it reveal about you? It would ask for a vacation.
If you were a film character, who would you be? I think I would be Joaquin Phoenix in Brother Bear.
What do you think about cloning? Would you get cloned if you had the chance? No I would never get cloned, I think my clones would try to kill each other.
A classic movie you’ll never stop watching? 12 Angry Men.
Is nostalgia a gift or a curse for modern cinema? Acknowledgement of the past is good, rehashing it is not.
What is the meaning of life for you as a human being? To make something meaningful.
What do people do that instantly makes you step back? Name dropping immediately from the get go.
What tests your patience more than anything else? People that decide to bring every single liquid item through TSA in front of me.
“With Polaroid you have to create anything you want in the moment.”
OPAFICIER – Polaroid photobook launched in September 2024.
Do you believe photography can reach the same emotional depth as cinema? Yes, but there has to be a strong narrative and subject.
How do you define art? Something created.
Your ultimate style icons? Joaquin Phoenix in You Were Never Really Here, Ian Curtis, Juergen Teller, Francis Ford Coppola, Trent Reznor.
If you had the attention of the whole world for 15 minutes, what would you say? Be kind to each other.
The best party you’ve ever been to? Is this a trick question? Ann Demeuelemeester x 1989.
Is beauty universal or completely personal? There are objective tenants of beauty.
If you could have one superpower to use in your creative process, what would it be? To edit immediately photos that I see unfold in my head.
When does a creative become an artist in your eyes? When they stop calling themselves a content creator and focus on creating something that matters to them.
Do you think that the relationship between art and drugs is just a cliché? Yes, you can be sober and make amazing art.
Do you have political orientation? None of your business.
Who is the greatest visual artist of all time? Honestly no idea.
And who’s the greatest living one? Wolfgang Tillmans.
The most overrated photographer or director? Ari Aster. Christopher Nolan.
The most underrated? Lynne Ramsey.
Is atheism another act of faith in disguise? Atheism is the active faith of militant faithlessness.
If you could do a crime, or an action in general, without ever knowing about it, what would you do? Take money from a mega corporation or bankrupt a billionaire.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing? Probably a professor.
Can you tell us the most interesting anecdote concerning your eventual drug experience? I slept 24 hours after my first edible experience.
Have you ever had sex with more than one person? Yes.
Approximately how many partners have you had in your life? More than 3 but less than 20.
Your favorite position for sex? Depends on the partner.
How important are fame and money to impress a partner? They’re not. Be kind.
What do you think people say about you? He works too much and he won’t shut up.
Ever been in a physical fight? Yes.
If you could choose any actors to be in one of your works, who would you choose? Joaquin Phoenix.
Can you tell us when you think a person is cool and when is not? A “cool” person is just themselves.
If you had to tell a person to fuck off, who would you choose? And why? Elon Musk.
What is the best work you have ever done? Hasn’t happened yet.
The one you are most proud of? I’m proud of the Ann Demeuelemeester NYC “Kids” campaign we did. We did it guerrilla and got some amazing work.
The one that is most appreciated? I don’t know, you’d have to ask other people.
Can you tell us a work someone else has done that you wish you could do too? I wish I could paint or draw at all.
Who is your best friend in the show business? Devon Ross.
Your favorite artist of all time? Darren Aronofsky.
If you could live in any era of cinema, which would you choose? 1990s, absolutely weird stuff getting made.
Which historical event would you have loved to capture through your lens? Anything Napoleonic.
One historical figure you’d like to spend a day with? Corrine Day. Does that count?
Three people who shaped your creative journey? Corrine Day, Spike Jonze, Jonathan Glazer.
One famous person you’d spend an evening with? Is this a date?
And one you’d choose for a long-term relationship? Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Is AI part of your creative process? Does it fascinate or scare you? No, it is a crutch to cut corners.
Do you think that if people couldn’t post on Instagram about it, they would take part as well to social movements? No.
What can your camera catch that the human eye misses? Moments in between that you may not notice til after the fact.
Can you define yourself with an adjective? Persistent.
If you were an animal which one would you like to be? Fox.
Do you believe in some religions? I was raised Christian.
The richest person you know? Does it matter?
Your favorite dish? Spaghetti and meatballs.
The best thing about Venice? I’ve never been. But best thing about Venice beach California is the sense of history there.
The worst thing about Venice? Worst thing about Venice beach California is the tourist traps.
What do you usually drink at the bar? N/A beer.
Where did you vacation as a child? Sunset Beach, North Carolina.
Where do you go when you need to reset your vision and recharge creatively? I go home, or I go on a walk.
If you could vanish entirely from the socials, would you? Yes.
Top three films that shaped your visual taste? Requiem for a Dream, Place beyond the Pines, Pi.
A subject you know better than most people? American post-modernist literature 1945 – onwards.
Have you ever been deeply in love? Yes.
Where do you live now? Los Angeles, but with half my body in Paris.
Which neighborhood? Echo Park.
Where were you born? Atlanta Georgia.
Other cities you’ve lived in, and for how long? Jacksonville for 2 years, Hartford for 15 years, Nashville for 5 years, Los Angeles for 7, Paris for 3 months.
Languages you speak? English.
Favorite spots in your current city? Cafe 2001, coffee shop.
Three songs that could be the soundtrack to your life? Disorder, Every Day is Exactly the Same, The Suburbs.
Bands you can’t live without? Joy Division, Spacemen 3, Suicide.
Favourite band? I don’t have one.
Favourite book? Hells Angels, Hunter S Thompson.
Favourite authors? Cormac McCarthy, Bret Easton Ellis.
Favourite artist? Jonathan Glazer, filmmaker.
Five celebrities you’d like to party with? It doesn’t matter.
If you could choose someone to follow you on Instagram who would you choose? Instagram itself.
A piece of gear or fashion item you dream of owning? Anything from the Seditionairies movement.
One creative skill you wish you had? To hand develop my own 35mm film.
Are fashion brands truly embracing diversity, or using it as a trend? I think its being used as a trend unfortunately.
Is rock and roll still alive? Depends on who you ask.
Your ideal holiday? Iceland.
Can you tell a number from 1 to 89? 27.
