CELEBRATE: to honor
especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business, b: to
mark (something, such as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from
routine and 3: to hold up or play up for public notice
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The
the solemn ceremony here is photography and the rasion d’etre for the celebration
is the human male form. In my opinion, you couldn’t find many who would disagree
that Mr. Monterrosa quite literally celebrates the male form with more finesse,
skill and taste than so many that we encounter on social media platforms
…. He leaves them in a trail of dust.
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His
is not the work of a “snapshot photographer” … he is quite literally an artist
whose tools are his camera, his lighting, his setup and his taste level for exhibiting
the exquisite attributes of beautiful men.
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Today,
much to my utter delight, Erick has offered his own insights into his private
life and his profession … but if you do the math (there are about 250-275 words
on a typewritten page) then here is a 130 page volume that proves what I’ve
just stated.
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Jeffrey
Felner: How would you say the internet and social media, especially
Instagram, have affected the world of photography and how far to push the envelope?
Erick
Monterrosa: I wouldn't be the photographer I am today without the internet.
More than 30 years ago, art was exclusive to the upper classes. Magazine
powerhouses like Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair, etc., played a major role in
exposing first world countries to the works of top ranked photographers, such
as Meisel, Avedon or Demarchelier. However, third world country boys
like me didn't have access to these publications. They were either too
expensive, or their distribution was simply nonexistent. It was the internet that
built a bridge between art and the masses. I no longer needed to pay for a
printed magazine in order to gather inspiration; I now do this from home
through social media. This is why I treat my Instagram feed as an online
gallery. I want my audience to have that sort of experience whenever they click
on my account. I feel small creators like me are more empowered than ever
thanks to the internet. I wouldn't say I don't love the idea of my work
being at an art gallery, however it's no longer a prerequisite to be
successful.
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JB:
Much has been written about creatives who have a signature look; would you say
you have one? Want one? … and how would you best describe yours?
ER: I definitely think I have
a signature style, which has taken me years to develop and yet it is constantly
evolving. I'm inspired by eroticism and the human body. My photography goes
around three key elements, which I call my holy trinity: art, fashion and
sex. The images I create lie somewhere within this spectrum, as I avoid
falling into one single genre. I always joke about my work being too
pornographic to be fashionable, too fashionable to be artistic and yet too
artistic to be pornographic.
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JF: If you could invite any 5
people to dinner who would they be and why?
ER: I don't know if I could
invite 5 people, I admire at the same time hahaha. I would rather focus on just
one, so I get the best out of the experience. No other name comes to my mind
but top model Coco Rocha. As soon as I knew the existence of the fashion
industry, I was exposed to her covers, editorials and
behind-the-scene videos. I was so impressed, not only by her looks but
her ability to pose in very dramatically. Later on, I found out she was a
Jehovah’s witness which led her to avoid posing nude in front of the
camera. This is groundbreaking, as models are expected to show their
bodies if the concept requires it. The way she managed to get so big in the
industry without sacrificing her values inspired me to stick to my gut, even
when my values are quite the opposite of hers. I'm not religious and I'm all
about nudity.
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ER: My biggest accomplishment
has been my ability to be supported by my art, which is something I was told
would never happen. I'm far from rich, but money isn't really my drive. I feel
accomplished just by waking up every day knowing I'm doing what makes me the
happiest.
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ER: I rarely regret things in
my life, but I wish I had moved to Europe at an early age to have proper
photography training. I have a business degree, which I pursued because I had
no art related options back in my country Nicaragua. I was never a business
person, but a frustrated artist. It took me a while to come to this realization.
Where I come from, art is a joke, thus doing what I loved the most was
perceived by my family and peers as a phase; something a young
immature boy would do just to have fun. In college, I worked as an event
photographer and that's when I realized photography gave me purpose. Suddenly,
it became part of my identity. Till this date, I'm fighting to get proper
education. It's a personal goal of mine, even when many tell me I don't
need it. find him also on his website.... www.behance.net/monterrosa31fe
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