Chas Ray Krider and his Dog Lulu
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RetroKitten's intrepid "Girl Friday" the lovely Miss Scarlett Vaughn, recently had the opportunity to work with Chas Ray Krider. We thought if would be good idea for her to pester him for an interview.
I had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing the talented Chas Ray Krider. He is, in my opinion, one of the best photographers around. Read on to see what he has to say.
RetroKitten: The most obvious question I believe on most everyone's mind when they see your work: Why motels and why the clothing?
Chas Ray Krider: I choose to photograph the figure in an environment with which all viewers are familiar, and that environment is a motel room. We've all been there. This familiar space adds to the believability of the photo. I am interested in narrative, suggesting a story with my images. The motel for Americans is iconographic. The motel is loaded with many preconceived associations... place of illicit rendezvous, a hideaway and crime.
Within the context of the motel room I have been able achieve a sense of the noir. Essentially the motel room is a set for a cinematic narrative approach to making photographs.
Concerning the cloths, what can I say? I like women in underwear. Being partially undressed heightens the potential for what remains to be seen... there is mystery. I used to be interested in nylons, garter and open bottom girdles. Through the years of exploring, dressing my models in all the various fetish configurations, I came to know my true personal preference in terms of women's clothing. I now like simple panties and heels, pearls optional. Sheer panties and bare legs is all I need.
RetroKitten: Do you ever think you'll break away from the lovely, yet seedy world of the motel?
Chas Ray Krider: The motel room is merely a set, an affordable set. I think I can achieve the same visual effect within other environments. What is this effect? For me, the effect I am after in my images is a psychological tension. This tension is independent of where I make the photograph, the tension is an expression of my internal perspective. So if someone what to pay for a high end hotel, a villa or country estate, I can make something happen within those context. The more difficult question is, can I give up this sense of the noir, crime and suffering associate with sexual images?
RetroKitten: If you had to choose between lulu and the motel?
Chas Ray Krider: Must I choose? Lulu (my darling little dog) in a motel with me and a woman, a bottle of bourbon... perfect.
RetroKitten: Do you like being approached by models that want to work with you?
Chas Ray Krider: I prefer models approach me. Then I know they are truly interested. I dislike the potential perception of coming onto women when I ask them to model. Although I must ask from time to time or nothing happens.
RetroKitten: Why do you think you're such a huge hit overseas?
Chas Ray Krider: The Europeans have long understood the code of seductions, its an international language they know very well. My work draws on some very specific art history reference which are part of the consciousness of Europeans more so than in American. The flip side of my appeal in Europe is that my work, at least in Motel Fetish, is so very American. I draw heavily on the film noir tradition of the American cinema and pulp fiction which they love. Here in the US I am easily dismissed, since my work is seen merely as retro or worse, as kitsch.
RetroKitten: Have you ever had anyone not like the photos you took of them? ( refuses to believe the answer is yes ) :)
Chas Ray Krider: Yes, I had someone who was unhappy with her photos. She wanted me to cut up the negative. The photos were good, in terms of what I did. She just didn't like herself in the photos, which is not my fault. I explained to her in advance of the photo session what was involved, how I would approach the image making process, letting her define her own boundaries and comfort level. When the time came she couldn't handle the situation. She came across as very self conscious and not sexy. She was unhappy with the results because they did not flatter her vanity. I can accept that. But when she asked me to destroy the negatives it showed she had no respect for my work, my efforts. So I cut up they negatives. I didn't want her bad karma in my work. I was glad to see her go.
RetroKitten: There's a rumor you'll be attending Dressed to Thrill 7 this year...Care to tell us about your plans for that...
Chas Ray Krider: I never have much of a plan. I look forward to being in place with many like minded people.
[Editor's Note] Chas Ray Krider will be hanging out with the RetroKitten staff periodically and promoting his work. Be sure to stop by the vendors area and say hi.
RetroKitten: If you could pick any hotel in the world to work in...what one would it be?
Chas Ray Krider: Chateau Marmont in LA would be my first choice. Also week at the Madonna Inn, photographing and staying in a different room each night, (109 differently decorated rooms, www.madonnainn.com)
RetroKitten: We're doing a feature on Greta Garbo..What's your favorite film of hers and why?
Chas Ray Krider: for some reason I haven never found Garbo interesting. The same with most of the stars and films from the 30s. Just not my era.
RetroKitten: and the last and final question..>Will you be updating your website any time soon..I know we'd all love to see some more of the wonderful images you have...:)
Chas Ray Krider: Call me lazy... The Motel Fetish site's main function has been to serve as a portfolio online rather than is being an entrainment destination. I send art directors, publishers, art buyers and models to the site to sample my work. Since my site is free, updating the site is not an imperative for me. Although I will be freshening it up soon. I have plan to launch a second site in the near future, which charge a small fee to gain admittance. This site will be update on a more regular basis, and feature a type of smut intrigue not seem at www.motelfetish.com
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