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Jean-Luc Godard, founder of French New Wave cinema, visual auteur and all-around contrarian luminary, argued, “Photography is truth.”
But for all that the lens reveals, and makes plain, there is also deception. The artist chooses angles, light, and colors deliberately. That which is plainly visible to the naked eye, to your everyday glance, can suddenly be transformed in shadow or in distinct height or depth. It can be submerged, it can be obscured.
That which is clear can suddenly be anything but.
And so it is with the work of Jay Franco, whose most recent photographic exhibit, “Over and Under NYC” at Rio Gallery explores the subterranean worlds within the city as nimbly as it does the familiar streetscapes of landmarks, street signs, traffic. Through his lens, the City’s pulse is taken, its screaming, hissing rhythms are gauged as readily as its brooding silences. Nothing is quite what it seems.
And so it is with Franco himself, whose work is as readily influenced by Richard Prince, the so-called “appropriation artist,” who distorts still images of Americana, as it is by the music of indie group Chester French.
This soft-spoken “perfectionist” photographer is a proud Washington Heights native whose family of artists inspired him, and whose “tough” mother is a vital force still in his life.
The quiet Franco is as content creating riveting images of female nudes in slick shots (check out “The Girlfriend Collection”) as he is alone, listening to the sound of water fall against bathroom tiles.
But if you really want to make him happy, bring chocolate.
DLS: What it is about Richard Prince that compels you?
JF: Prince’s work is one of a kind. He has inspired me to not be afraid to do different things. [His work] just motivates my to step it up and put my own twist into things.
DLS: Your new exhibit explores the City, under and above ground, as canvas – what about our urban landscape draws you in?
JF: We are so caught up in our everyday routine that we drive, run, and walk past [the City] every day and never look twice at it because it’s normal to us. I came to realize this when a good friend of mine and his family visited from Europe a few years ago. I first took them around the typical city tour, and then took them on the “real” New York tour, the hood and all the other places not mentioned. Seeing their reaction to it inspired me to collect a series of photos and tell a story from a native’s point of view.
DLS: You clearly enjoy photographing women – why?
JF: I find it to be God’s best creation (not to sound religious). They have so many expressions and thoughts in their minds that [women] tell their own stories with movements and poses.
DLS: Your series “Girlfriend” – talk about that project – how, why, where?
JF: One of the most frequent demands I got from clients is that they wanted to do nudes and work on their own portfolios. [And] I always loved Richard Prince’s style of work with nudes. I thought, “Why not?”
DLS: You identify as an artist from Washington Heights – how has El Alto influenced your work, specifically?
JF: Growing up here can influence you in a bad way or good way. Fortunately I was raised by a tough mother that doesn’t play games and she made sure I was never caught up in the negative things in my neighborhood. My family has a lot painters and architects as well as photographers. Being one of the youngest, I’ve received a great amount of support.
DLS: Late night snack or meal of choice?
JF: Anything that consists of chocolate. For a full meal, Chicken Francese.
DLS: You play with texture and saturation in your work. You inhale the smoke, you feel the heat – talk a little about your technique.
JF: Well I can’t spill the beans on my technique, but I will say…when in post production, I have four different versions of every shot I take and [that] I play with in every imaginable way, until the gut feeling of the right one comes to me.
DLS: Superhero secret alter ego?
JF: Batman.
DLS: Camera of choice?
JF: Which ever camera I have in the moment.
DLS: Last time you spoke to your mother?
JF: A few hours ago, told her I was in Starbucks doing some work.
The “Over and Under NYC” photography exhibit is on display at the Rio Penthouse Gallery at 10 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032, until Tuesday, September 6th. It features the work of Jay Franco as well as fellow visual artists Thomas de los Santos, Magdiel Baez, and Jonathon Guerrero.
For more information on Jay Franco, please visit www.venti20vision.com.
For more information on the exhibit, please call Rio Gallery at 212-568-2030 x 208.
Images in this article are both from Franco’s new exhibit “Over and Under” as well as previously exhibited work that shows off “his” Washington Heights, over and under.
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