Kevin Ito

Written by Carrie Jo Tucker on Friday, 12 June 2009 17:09

From a poetic childhood, to traveling the world with Damon Dash, walking the killing fields of Cambodia, and shooting portraits for publications like Flaunt, to political aspirations (no, not those kind – just read on): that’s NYC-based photographer Ito on a nutshell. But like any artistic type, Ito’s a tough nut to crack. Ask him what he’s working on next and he’ll tell you, zen-like, “Cup of coffee number four.” Code for a top-secret, awesome project – or really just his fourth cup of coffee? With Ito, you never know. How did the environment where you grew up shape or inspire your work?

I’m from California. I grew up in canyons on a peninsula. We spent our time in caves and in tide pools at the feet of Pacific cliffs. It was isolated and sometimes idyllic. We surfed and we ran amuck. We screeched through hills at all hours of the night. Mustard and aniseed grew everywhere. The ocean was always there. Always. What effect did this environment have on me? I suppose it taught me that being overly arrogant will fuck you up.

CARRIE TUCKER: How did you get started? What was your first job?

KEVIN ITO: I’ve been shooting since high school. I’ve always been shooting. My first job was a wedding. A friend's sister's wedding. It was all black and white 35mm. They're still married. Two adorable kids. San Diego. Can’t ask for much more.

CT: How would you describe your work?

KI: As a documentary. I've been in a village at the northeastern edge of India shooting school children. I shot Paris Hilton in a recording studio acting as if she were singing for a documentary.

CT: I traveled to Philadelphia every day for weeks to document Beanie Sigel during his attempted murder trial (it ended in a hung jury). Someone took out a pet alligator and terrorized everyone with it at his party.

KI: I traveled the entire course of the Puerto Rican Day Parade shooting from three floats. I had a hard time sleeping that night.

I walked through S-21 and the killing fields of Cambodia. Brutally serene.

Amanda Lepore by Kevin Ito

CT: What/who inspires you?

KI: In 1957 my grandfather left a small town in southern Japan with his wife and three kids for the sunny shores of California. Try that these days and you'd get crushed. They did it. No language. No dollars. "NO JAPS ALLOWED" signs on apartments. He’s a pioneer to me. Tetsuo and Kumi Ito. I miss you so much.

CT: Who are some of your favorite photographers? Artists? Musicians? Films?

KI: Edward Burtynsky is a photographer that I can't help nod my head to. His images of altered landscapes and of China are horrifying.
Francis Bacon is at the Met right now, and I will go. Few painters affect me like he does.
I’ve seen Radiohead perform over 25 times.
Terence Malick's DAYS OF HEAVEN - the film is like a dream. Her voice won't leave you. Try it.

CT: What is the most difficult part of your job – and the most rewarding?

KI: I will over think things before the shoot. It makes me fucking crazy. This detail. That detail. And then the shoot begins. We start clickin'. Everything falls where it's supposed to.
Shaving man

CT: Who was one of your favorite subjects? Any dream subjects or projects?

KI: I moved to New York five years ago to be Damon Dash's full-time personal photographer. Full time meant me being on call every day. No breaks. I traveled all around the world with him and his entourage. I suppose I was part of the entourage. Jets out of Teterboro to London, L.A., Ibiza, Salt Lake, etc., and this was happening constantly. It was exhausting. His world is not like our world. I have no idea what he's up to now. I’d love to shoot certain politicians at work and in their homes - Michelle Bachman, Eric Cantor, John Cornyn, John Boehner, Bobby Jindal, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Michael Steele, and of course, el jefe...Obama. Their arena continues to descend into surrealism.
Lil' Kim by Kevin Ito

CT: So, besides cup of coffee number four, what are you working on next?

KI: My first solo show is still being plotted. Tentative title: BLOODBATH

For more info and to check out Ito’s work, go to www.theyleftghosts.com/ito.

by Carrie Tucker

Images courtesy of Ito

Kevin Ito