Geir Moseid. Photographer
Norwegian photographer Geir Moseid, working from Oslo, sees his work centred in the intersection where cinematography and documentary practise meet.
“My work focuses on relationships, social issues and urban alienation”
BYO: How would you describe the storytelling of your work?
GEIR: I don't see myself as a storyteller, because I don't want to force any ideas or readings upon my viewers. That's why I try to make open-ended work, where there's no easy way in or out, but where the images hopefully function as catalysts for further reading, based on the viewer’s prior encounters in real life, their memories or through images seen.
BYO: What is the challenge in contemporary photography?
GEIR: With so many practitioners it's challenging to stay true to your own vision. I see this a lot with my students. It's a double-edged sword in some way for people. One needs to have input, but yet stay original and try not to let another artist colour your work too much.
BYO: Do you have a specific image or a photographer that you follow as a fundamental reference in your work?
GEIR: I have several, both images and artists so it wouldn't be fair to single out a few. So much great and inspiring work.
BYO: About Plucked …
GEIR: Plucked is my first big body of work, a series I went in and out of for a decade. It centres around the home and its ambiguous nature. The home is both the safest place, a place of rest and love, but as the curtains close, horrible events happen too. I wanted the book to have notions of both, and that's why I built the project up with Freuds thought of the Uncanny in mind.
BYO: You studied in London. Was it an inspirational city, regarding photography?
GEIR: Great. Full stop. Mostly because I loved my school, but also as a city to get inspired by. So many shows, concerts and galleries, but also locations and people to collaborate with.
BYO: Is there any other city you would like to work in and for what kind of projects?
GEIR: New York. It's so fuelled with connotations and previous history. I get inspired by movies and NY has been the hub for an array of classics, in do many different genres. But my work would probably be based around every day as usual, but possibly with a stronger cinematographical methodology.
