Artist Javier Alejandro Cerrada photographs an ass like a sunset
Art is to tell stories in unexpected ways.
Like artist Javier Alejandro Cerrada, who manages to hide pornographic messages between the lines, recognizable only to attentive eyes.
Javier’s art is stylish and intelligent, actually too artistic for erotica covers… we’re just kidding.
How would you describe your approach to sensual photography?
Javier: According to Susan Sontag’s “On Photography” the mere fact of taking pictures is almost by default a voyeuristic activity.
That is why erotic/nude photography is one of the oldest genres in the field.
My approach to this is very related from how I grew up in Venezuela.
My parents are one of the most sex positive people I know. Since I was very young they were very open to talk about sex and erotica with me.
And most importantly: to not feel shame for it.
I think it’s because of this that I don’t feel the need to document sensuality as something apart from the normal life or something to be obsessed with.
My main approach I could describe as: I am trying to photograph an ass like I would photograph a sunset.
With no real intention of exploiting the image because of its content but because of the beauty that I see in it.
I aim to normalise erotism and nudity into everyday life.
Were you ever a victim of censorship? If yes, how do you work around it?
J: Coming from a country where freedom of speech is inexistent and censorship (and self censorship) is the common rule, I am no stranger to this.
My background in visual journalism made me see censorship not as an enemy but as a challenge.
Challenging myself to find new communicational ways to show my ideas.
But to also give the spectator a new narrative where they can read between the lines. And understand that, even if my content may not be explicit, still would hint this in it.
Sadly, this approach makes pornographic ideas lose their shock value, which is something that I personally really like.
What’s behind the photo series “Coup de grâce” — by artist Javier Alejandro Cerrada that you shot with the beautiful Ivanna?
J: “Coup de grâce” explores the use of photography as a tool to reinforce the self-esteem of subjects.
With this series the idea is to expose a very feminine character.
A character emancipated from the world but in love of her own femininity. This is an erotic love poem to oneself.
If you were elected as UN-Secretary for Love & Happiness: What would be your inaugural tweet to the world?
J: Being honest I don’t really believe that the UN have any real power in the real political world. That’s why I would not imagine myself working for them.
But as an ambassador for Love & Happiness, I would tweet:
“We will be judged only by the love that we have for others and how important it was for you to make the other happy.”
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FINDING ARTIST JAVIER ALEJANDRO CERRADA
www.ja-cerrada.com
IG: @hxxdz
Originally published on BERLINABLE.com
