Chris Calmer is a photographer born and raised in Copenhagen. He started experimenting with photography at the age of 14 and moved onto more focused work at around 20. Now, his pastel-coloured cut-and-paste aesthetic is confident and well-defined; his images elevating every subject to a playful and joyful space. "I like to challenge the perception of good taste," he says. "My work and ideas always come from a place of humour and, to an extent, the 'wrong' aesthetics. Fashion imagery is often very serious, so it's interesting to me to break free from that."
Your images play with scale beautifully, can you explain why the project and, therefore, the shoe inspired you to follow that creative approach?
There is something silly and playful about working with scale like this. It's very surrealistic and "absurd". I wanted to use something very recognisable about Copenhagen, the coloured buildings and make it even brighter and more surreal. It was also a choice that we look into the camera - very here we are, look at us.
My creative approach was very focused on showing us in the city in an untraditional way. The idea of making us into giants made perfect sense for this. It was very much about feeling empowered, like a superhero. The Suede Mayu literally makes you a lot taller, so there is a fun connection in that way as well. The digital construction of the architecture was inspired by postcards that show the different landmarks in Copenhagen.
How does your city, Copenhagen, inform your creativity and artistic vision and what can we observe of this in your photography?
These images are very much a postcard" from Copenhagen. From me to everyone. I think it's important to use what is around you as inspiration in any creative profession. When you let yourself observe the cityscape and nature objectively, it can re-inspire your view of the city.
INTERVIEW RELATED TO PROJECT "GENOMBROTT" WITH IKEA
What do you dream of creating with your art?
I am in constant development and dream of expressing myself in the most authentic way through my art.
What is home to you?
Home, for me, is where I can unfold myself, a place that reflects my personality.
Where do you feel at home?
I feel at home in my apartment, surrounded by art and my plants.
What is your motivation for participating in GENOMBROTT?
When I was asked to join the project, I naturally said yes. It’s a unique opportunity to express myself and my work.
What characterizes your artistic style, and how will it be reflected in your GENOMBROTT piece?
My style as a photographer lies at the intersection of correct and “wrong” taste, and that’s where originality emerges. Humor is important in my art, and creating something the viewer can relate to and find inspiring is the best reward for me as a creative. In my GENOMBROTT piece, I will explore themes of loneliness, paranoia, anger, and laziness, which we all experienced as a result of restrictions and lockdowns—a post-COVID piece. I like challenging the Scandinavian, minimalist aesthetic. It’s not for me. I believe in “more is more.”
Where do you find inspiration for your art?
I find inspiration for my concepts in my surroundings, pop culture, and through reflections on my personal development and what I need to express for my own sake. I’m practicing listening to what’s on my mind and what I need to use art for.
Do you wish to convey social messages through your art? If yes, how?
Art and politics will always be connected, so one rarely exists without the other. It’s always important for me to relate to what’s happening in society, but what matters most is what I personally have on my heart. I believe in striving for authenticity and not being overly influenced by trends to create art that endures in the long run.
