Feature Friday - Gustavo Salinas
Name
Gustavo Salinas
Pronouns
He / Him
Bio
I'm a freelance portraitist and researcher, interested by archives and anything analog.
Instagram
@mucho.gustavo
Where in Montreal are you located?
I'm located between Villeray and Ahuntsic.
What do you love about your neighborhood?
I was born and raised in Villeray! I have seen the neighborhood change a lot in the past two decades, but I love how it retains its core identity as a very homely, unpretentious and welcoming place, with its iconic spiral staircases and small mom-and-pop shops still standing. Grabbing a latte at Oui mais Non and walking to the Jarry Park to read and take a nap by the poolside is a mandatory summer ritual for me.
What’s your favourite art space in Montreal and why?
I like galleries that were converted from former living spaces or workplaces, such as Arsenal, Pangée and Projet Casa, and even smaller spaces like Espace Maurice. Any space that foments community and closeness is enticing to me.
Describe your art practice in your own words.
I am inspired by the materiality and technical difficulties of using film to capture portraits. I think it's very cliché to claim there is beauty everywhere, but I sincerely believe there is a way to portray anything and anyone in a positive light. I reject anything done in a mechanical or streamlined manner, and I tend to work very slowly, taking my time to convey emotions and a more naturalistic look to pictures.
What mediums do you work with?
I work with analog film, in 35mm and 120 format, with the occasional use of MiniDV cameras. I steer away from any digital medium because machines scare me and behave like printers running out of ink when I try using them.
What are you currently working on?
I am focused on portraits for artists and professionals in the art sphere, but I am looking forward to document other endeavors, I would like to go to Peru and take portraits of my family members still living there, as a way to bridge a generational gap and get closer to my roots as a first generation immigrant.
Photo by Gustavo Salinas
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration in movement, nature and cinema. I enjoy films with artistic and aesthetic ambitions, and long continuous shots, whether it be the the very long shot of Sherif Ali walking in the desert in Lawrence of Arabia or Mr. Darcy walking in a field in Pride and Prejudice, anything that strives to look majestic is a win in my book. I love the poses found in royal portraits and old paintings and sculptures, we might have collectively lost some of that swagger in the last centuries, we need that back. I find inspiration in comeback stories, and resilience, and anyone who unshackles themselves from fear of failure or cringe.
Describe your creative process.
I have this cemented (and probably overly dramatic) tenet of treating cameras as weapons, that need to be wielded in a very responsible and delicate manner. I think that a bad picture can cause emotional distress to the subject portrait, so I approach every frame and every shutter release as a balancing act, akin to the Marina Abramovic performance with a bow and arrow. I want the subjects to see themselves as I see them; with respect and genuine admiration.
What led you to pursue visual art?
It all came to me as a very long process of wanting to document everyday life, and it took a sharp turn during the turbulent start of the current decade. As I was writing my history thesis, I came to understand that my favorite part of research was stumbling upon old photographs. It is to me nothing short of a miracle, to be able to capture a moment in time on a thin layer of chemicals. We were never supposed to be able to see ourselves age while flipping pages of an album, so I thought it would only be fair to be able to do it in a dignified and graceful manner.
Is there any medium you don’t currently work with, but would like to explore?
I would like to hone my skills in video and sound editing, and am trying to learn from friends. I would also love to delve into music writing and performing, maybe someday I will dare sing somewhere else than the comfort of a shower.
