R-in-C - Mezzetty Interview

For our very first interview, we speak to a close friend and someone whose work we admire greatly here at Raised-in-Carolina, Martin Donnelly. Martin, aka Mezzetty is a small design project and a place to air his photographic skills mixed with typography and graphic design, to create a unique and personal body of work. Over the last 10 years, it has lead to a variety of exciting collaborations and has featured in many respectable publications, both online and in print. We talk to Martin about his work, the industry and what's next for Mezzetty...

R-in-C:
Hello Martin, how's things?

Mezzetty:
Hi, I'm good thanks.

R-in-C:
Shall we begin? What's the whole ethos behind the Mezzetty concept?

Mezzetty:
It’s me playing at being a photographer, or a designer that loves photographing people. This finally seems to be the right direction for me.

R-in-C:
So is there a story behind your work or is it about the aesthetics of the piece?

Mezzetty:
It differs from shoot to shoot, but aesthetics play a massive role in it.

R-in-C:
How did you first get into the photography industry?

Mezzetty:
Natural progression, moving into photography was the best way to evolve my work into something new.

R-in-C:
There are so many up and coming creatives as well as established ones in the industry today, who for you catches your eye and excites you at the moment?

Mezzetty:
At the moment Hedi Slimane, he creates the simplest and most stunning imagery, from his polished editorial work right down to his documentary style capture of youth culture, I really can’t fault him.

R-in-C:
So do you have an Slimane pieces? What's hanging on your walls right now?

Mezzetty:
No, unfortunately but I do have some Sas Christian, I'm a sucker for a good illustrator, once I get my hands on a James Jean or Audrey Kawasaki I can die happy.

R-in-C:
What are the most valuable things you have learnt from being a photographer?

Mezzetty:
Being able to give direction is key to achieving the look I want, and finding a model that can take and act on helps.

R-in-C:
Out of interest, what camera do you work with?

Mezzetty:
A Canon 450D EO

R-in-C:
Are there any up coming exhibitons or events that you are really excited about this year?

Mezzetty:
The BP National Portrait awards is coming up in June, I always have a couple of friends that enter every year, and I think I might have a crack at it myself next year.

R-in-C:
What would be your dream commission?

Mezzetty:
Photographing all of next years Oscar nominee’s... sounds random but seriously I’d love that job.

R-in-C:
How do you keep it fresh and new? Where do you find your inspiration?

Mezzetty:
I know it’s a cliché but everywhere, why narrow down your options.

R-in-C:
There's always a few non-industry related questions I like to ask the guests of Raised-in-Carolina. Do you mind?

Mezzetty:
No, go ahead.

R-in-C:
Out of your record collection, what are you listening to right now?

Mezzetty:
Miike Snow (Miike Snow), Flying Lotus (Los Angeles), Grizzly Bear (Veckatimest) and Four Tet (There is Love in You).

R-in-C:
If you set off traveling across America, what album would you take to accompany you and why?

Mezzetty:
I've tried to answer that question millions of times (in my head) and I seem to always come back to one album, The Beatles 'Revolver'. It’s the album that really got me into The Beatles beyond what I already knew of them. I'm quite old fashioned about having to listen to an album, as apse to singles. The album represents a story or a journey like any good book and 'Revolver' has it all, and the excitement of knowing that you will always end up at 'Tomorrow Never Knows' should be enough for anybody.

R-in-C:
And finally, what's next for Mezzetty?

Mezzetty:
More playing.

R-in-C:
Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing more from Mezzetty in the future. We have recently collaborated with Mezzetty to create some beautiful prints available in the Boutique.

www.mezzetty.com

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