Toledano Tells It Like It Is

PHILLIP TOLEDANO is a photographer whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times magazine, The New Yorker, Esquire, GQ, Wallpaper, The London Times, The Independent Magazine, Le Monde, and Interview magazine, amongst others. Phillip is also an artist. His art work varies in medium, from photography to installation.  In 2010, he published a profoundly moving photo essay “Days With My Father” which chronicles his father’s final years. To see more of Phillip’s amazing work, please visit: www.mrtoledano.com

 Interview by Melissa Unger.

YOU WORKED IN ADVERTISING BEFORE TURNING TO PHOTOGRAPHY FULL TIME, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THAT LEAP?

Looking back, I don’t think I really had a choice.  I could see that my career in advertising was gradually turning solidly beige. By that I mean, middle of the road.  Goldilocks-not too hot, and not too cold. I thought about that a great deal. I felt that since I’ve only got one go at life, why not do something I could be really good at. Of course, I didn’t know if I would be good at photography, and I’m not saying I am. But, being a photographer/artist is MUCH more satisfying than anything else I’ve ever done.

Also, I kept getting fired from ad agencies, so that was a bit of an indication of my inability to function in the corporate labyrinth.

Image from Toledano’s Hope & Fear series.

 

YOU HAVE A WILD IMAGINATION. WHERE DO YOU THINK ALL THESE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES STEM FROM?

I think two things. That if I knew the source, it would make life much easier.  I could take a day trip to the nexus of my imagination, with the sure knowledge than I’d see something interesting (to me, at least!). The other possibility is that knowing the source would ruin everything!

I can tell you that having ideas is a physical sensation for me-my whole body reacts when I think of something I like. Also, I don’t really ‘think’ of ideas.  They just happen, like sneezing, or an erection…

From Toledano’s ‘kim jong phil’ series (paintings are copies of pre-existing art in north korea, but he replaces kim jong il with himself!)

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT OBSESSION?

Everything.

IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR BOOK OR TEXT THAT HAS HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON YOU?

There are certainly books I love. Anything by Scott Fitzgerald, or Salinger. They’re connected to a place and time and person, so the words are inextricably linked to who I am…

HOW HAS THIS INCREASE IN CREATIVITY POSITIVELY AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

I have no idea! I guess it’s made me realize that some of the stupid stuff I’m fascinated by is also interesting to other people, so I’m not quite as barking mad as I thought.

Abu Ghraib Bobblehead from AMERICA THE GIFT SHOP an installation project by Toledano that reflects the foreign policy of the Bush/Cheney years through the fun-house mirror of American commerce.

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS TO THOSE SEEKING TO GET THEIR CREATIVITY FLOWING?

Yes-our ability to find reasons not to do things is boundless. So stop fucking around, and get working.

To view images from Phil Toledano’s most recent project: A New Kind of Beauty, please click: here.

 

 

Published: October 4th, 2011



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