An interview with HS Chad Muthard
a self-portrait by Chad Muthard
Hot Shot Chad Muthard is not only a talented photographer and Photoshop master, but he also writes and plays the guitar, all at the prime age of 23. I give you Chad.
Current place of residence?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Kensington)
Birthplace? Where were you raised?
Allentown, PA I grew up in Catasauqua, PA
What do you do to pay the bills?
I work as the Print Center Coordinator at Moore College of Art and Design at night, and during the day when I’m not pacing around or making art, I work as the Creative Director at Wonka Vision Magazine, where I am in charge of getting artists and photographers for the Artist Feature and Photo Essay articles of each issue.
What initiated your committed romance with photography?
I’m not quite sure how it began, maybe it was just something to do since I couldn’t sit still, but what I think it has evolved into is a medium where I can start to analyze/criticize moments in life with better clarity and that is what has kept it as a constant for me. Most of my photography now is initiated by conversations with people or events that occur throughout the day or in the past. Recently, it has been more about questioning the purpose behind the actions of myself and others, whether that be conscious or subconscious decisions.
What artists inspire you––whether they be photographers, musicians, politicians, painters, or the like?
To be honest I think I am more inspired lately to create work from listening music and reading books, then I am by other photographers or painters, there is something about the intangibility of words that lets my mind wonder. Some musicians I listen to now are people like Micah P. Hinson, Tim Kasher, Maria Taylor, Jenny Lewis, Lucero, Jena/Berlin. Authors I have been reading are: alot of John Fante, Charles Bukowski, Kurt Vonnegut, Jeffrey Eugenides, J.D. Salinger, Brett Easton Ellis, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. But, I would truly be a liar to say that there have not been past influences from art, people like Jeff Wall, Duane Michals, Thomas Demand, Doug Aitken Jake and Dinos Chapman. Most of their work has guided my direction in how to go about using narration in art.
What do you like most about being a “photographer”?
Freedom to do whatever I feel and capture it instantly as a moment. That’s the old cliche line, right? I don’t feel much differently. But, really I think its all about connections, putting your personality out there, your life experiences, your problems, your ideas, and communicating with others. The images I create are mostly fictional, but under that they have real emotions, real stories, real philosophy and personality that other people can connect with, or take and interpret to connect their own life with mine. That’s what I love about art and I think that’s the most important part.
What formal training, if any, do you have?
I went to Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, there I was taught the basics. The best “formal” training it gave me was how to analyze art, and how to constructively criticize the work to get it to a higher level. Also, at Tyler I did a lot of work collaboratively with my friend Nils Orth, which was a great experience on many levels, and helped me to think differently about art, and opening up to different ideas and views on how to create.
What camera do you use?
Lately, I have been shooting with a Nikon D2x. I have a Mamiya RZ67 that I actually like a lot more but haven’t used it lately because of the cost of film and the time it takes up to scan and dust, maybe one day I will bring it back and/or be able to afford a digital back.
What piece of equipment do you fetishize the most and/or what is your guiltiest tech pleasure?
I’d have to say Photoshop, I construct all the work I make, don’t get me wrong, everything you see in the photographs is actually there in real life, but I am just insanely nit picky about things like layer masking. It gets to the point where a friend will look at my file and click layers off and on and have no idea what changing, sometimes I even have to stare at it for awhile til I know whats happening.
What do you find to be the biggest cliche in photography these days?
Jesus, that’s a loaded question. In reality, a cliche is anything the public deems it to be, one moment everyone is saying its cliche to have trashy looking fashion shots, then its cliche to make narratives, then anyone who is creating digital composites is cliche, its all based upon whats hot for this moment. I try not to let myself get caught up in that kind of stuff, I make work I like to make and if I stop liking how it looks I will switch it up.
What are your loftiest goals?
To be able to make a living off of making artwork
What are the top three movies on your queue?
Mickeybo and Me (the best film in years)
Royal Tennebaums
High Fidelity
What book connects with your life the most?
Right now, I’d say Ask The Dust(I can’t help but personify myself as Arturo Bandini).
What are your favorite websites/blogs?
tylerpaint.com (art blog started by students)
fallonandrosof.blogspot.com (art blog run by Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof)
Who are your favorite musicians? Do you have an anthem?
Elliott Smith. If I had an anthem it would be…the Broken Social Scene CD You Forgot It In People
