Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Solomonson.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve dined with jazz greats, hung out with rock stars,
Ushered out punks, to close out the bars,
Bounced into rapids, flipped handlebars,
Drank hillbilly moonshine, from mason jars,
Drove to the playa in my art-car,
It died near my house. I drove it too far.
Scored interviews, courted the press,
Once beat a mayor in mental-chess.
Was a front-of-house greeter, a volunteer leader,
Once had a bomb squad sniff out the theater.
I’ve bussed them in. I’ve kicked them out.
I’ve built new audiences and packed the house,
Have a super-hero persona, journalist have yet to expose,
Got politicians attention in two verbal-blows.
Had a subversive shrine, in a state-office downtown,
For months travels the states, before I was home bound.
I’ve hiked Grand Canyon, camped extremes,
Pondered my navel whatever that means.
I’ve exhibited, networked, chanted, strummed, salvaged,
built, negotiated, burned, sold, saved, budgeted, managed,
deployed, promoted, prepared, produced, projected, protected,
protested, persuaded. I am a photographer and inspired.
Please tell us about your art.
In the past 6 six years, I have dedicated my creative work to concert and performance photography. In total, including work prior to 2012, I have photographed around 1,600 concerts, performances and artist portraits ranging from festivals, performing arts centers, underground events, burlesque, major festivals, punk clubs, dance and outdoor arenas.
My images are published in a handful of online music outlets, and occasion daily paper, share with the artists, and developed into bodies of work for exhibiting, and more recently gathered for self-published books,
For the past three and a half years I’ve been the house photographer at City Winery Chicago. I photograph for performing arts and dance organizations locally in Chicago.
In the words of famed photographer Henry Diltz “Being a photographer is like having a passport into people’s lives.” I hold that thought with honor. If you think about a close wide angle shot, that generally means the photographer has earned the trust of their subject. One part, know when to put the camera down. And one part, create an inviting, welcoming energy so that subjects are comfortable to open up and at ease.
As for capturing “the moment”, I look for spontaneity, immediacy, creativity, and inspiration. It is difficult to describe but I know it when I have it. That leads me to look for magic in the eyes, hands, body motion, and an interaction between artists or audience.
I think of my mission in life is to take the divine creative spark in my heart, like those creative people around me, and spark it in others. Isn’t that what artists do? But I get to be the lucky guy that can do this with a camera.
I often work with black and white for two specific reasons. Color can be a big distraction from the subject. And it is clear that black and white images are interpretations and not an attempt at copying reality.
Additionally, I have been producing pop-up photography exhibits in Chicago showcasing the work of fellow concert and art photographers in alternative spaces that create alternatives for exhibiting work.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
An artist’s role is to reflect the good and the bad in society, politics, and individually. We should be provoking thought, challenging norms and believes, calling out hypocrisy, inspiring, documenting, reflecting, speaking truth. entertaining, and motivating those around us.
Whereas in the past I have made much political and social commentary in my work, my current endeavor is largely about documenting and inspiring. Trying to carve out a little bit of beauty and providing a momentary break from the relentless on-slot of meaningless, distracting and negative media, events, and news.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Web site:
www.philamonjaro.com
My book of City Winery Concerts
http://www.philamonjaro.com/cwcbook/
Most current and complete work
www.facebook.com/philamonjarostudio
Window posters on display
City Winery Chicago – Riverwalk between State Street and Dearborn
Music journalism:
search: philamonjaro and gratefulweb.com, bigtakeover.com, tomorrowsverse.com, or pennyblackmusic.co.uk for many of my photo galleries or article images.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.philamonjaro.com
- Email: philamonjaro (at) gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philamonjaro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philamonjarostudio/
Image Credit:
Photos by Philamønarø
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
