The first impression that every Installation reader experiences is our signature interactive cover. There is something particularly mezmering about our 20+20 cover. Filmed by our featured photographer Elias Tahan in black and white, a fresh faced Zach Magill dances to a pop beat on a soundstage. With his hair slicked back in a faux pompadour, Magill glides with effortless ease in time with the beats. The video is indicative of Angeleno native Tahan, who captures young budding stars and creatives in the twilight moment before they fully mature and grow into the person they are destined to become. His subjects appear casual, open and vulnerable in front of his patient lens, which captures a loss of innocence- that unidentifiable yet palpable moment when childhood is lost. Tahan’s ability to engage in intimate moments and capture a specific aesthetic value of beauty in men and equally gives his work a sophistication. The texture, grain and emulsion that he applies to his digital files to make them feel like film gives his work an edge. And the cinematic effect he achieves in draping his subjects in natural light gives his work an element of surprise.
Why did you decide to pursue your artistic practice on the West Coast?
I grew up in the valley right outside of Los Angeles. I went to business school for a couple years then transferred to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I left there then moved to Hollywood at 21 or 22. LA feels like home and I like to be near my family, so it works for me.
Why not New York?
I wouldn’t rule it out. I’ve thought about moving there for a bit to pursue my work but it’s not in the immediate plan. It’s very tempting to want to be there. It’s utterly cool and everyone’s dressed amazingly and there’s so much to do. California is just beautiful to me though and there’s so many amazing places to shoot, visit, etc. I would definitely do an extended stay in NY but I would miss LA and my family out here. We’ll see.
What do you find distracting about your urban environment?
I don’t find my urban environment distracting. I feel that people make their own distractions a lot of the time. If anything, a city like NY would be much more distracting for me because there’s always a rendezvous or lunch to be had or a bar to hit up. You feel like an outsider if you’re not part of the hustle and bustle. I do love the discipline there though and how street-smart and efficient and resourceful people are. LA is a playground of indifference and there’s always an excuse for not committing to a plan. Things can drag on forever when they probably wouldn’t in NY due to the sense of urgency there and locality of everything and everyone. I do adore the actual geography, freedom, and visual opportunity of the environment here.
What do you feel is unique to your city?
I love the hills, deserts and expansiveness. I wouldn’t be able to shoot in a studio everyday. In NY I’d probably get stuck doing that. I know there’s ways around it but for the most part that’s what most photographers end up doing there. It’s a struggle for me because there’s amazing models and fashion in NY, which is very seducing, but I would hate to just end up always shooting them in a studio or in a park or on a cobblestone street. It’s a bit limiting for my taste. My favorite visual inspirations are often more cinematic than fashion oriented so that’s why I love filmic environments and locations, and there’s easier access to them here.
What do you find most appealing about New York?
The social stimulation and the energy. Human interaction is very planned in LA whereas there you’re just blatantly and quickly forced into situations and circumstances with people on a tight scale. People are more efficient with their time there and make more value out of every outing and interaction. It’s inspiring to me that New Yorkers can do a lot with very little. I may be overgeneralizing, but for the most part there’s less of that blasé, go-with-the-flow vibe over there. They like to work hard and play hard, whereas here I feel people just like to play hard.
What artists have influenced your practice the most?
I started loving photography and practicing it at around 18 or 19. My first real inspirations in fashion photography were Steven Klein and Eugenio Recuenco. I was obsessed with them in college. I love Herb Ritts for his organic and stunning silhouettes and his visually simple setups. I love Mario Testino for his playfulness and more candid, behind-the-scenes raw work. Dean Freeman captures celebrities candidly and spontaneously in intimate little environments, which I love. I’m a huge fan of the freedom and glamour of the Studio 54 era so naturally I love Ron Galella’s nostalgic, paparazzi-style photos. I appreciate that Hedi Slimane is an icon in the fashion world and also shoots beautiful photos. I love people who can cross over and be multidisciplinary and aren’t defined by one talent or title. Mert & Marcus have an amazing work ethic and eye for utter feminine perfection and lighting, I love their studio photos and their more filmic location work. Alasdair McLellan’s work always looks impeccable and effortless. Tim Walker is a visionary; I’d love to be able to organize productions of his scale one day. I also love music video directors like Mark Romanek and Francis Lawrence. Their work is perfect to me.
Images courtesy of the artist
THE 20+20 PHOTOGRAPHY ISSUE
Elias Tahan is featured within Installation Magazine’s special 20+20 Photography Issue, which highlighted 20 Los Angeles and 20 New York City photographers. Download the full issue on your iPad and iPhone.