UNDRGRND - PHOTOGRAPHY WITH AN EDGE: JIMI ALBERT

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH AN EDGE: JIMI ALBERT

Wanda Oliver — March 3, 2022

View original post

MARCH 3RD, 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH AN EDGE is a periodical feature showcasing NFT artists working with photographic practices that defy or challenge the common definition of a photograph. We are here to explore and celebrate these more exotic forms of photography and the free mixture of old and new, art and science, analog and digital employed in the exploration of the limits and possibilities of light, chemistry, and bits. 

From the moment I first saw them, the cyanotyped figures in Jimi Albert’s Body of Work series mesmerized me, and set my mind racing on new cyanotype methods to try. They take the simple photogram and elevate it to a whole new realm, and that alone was enough to hook me. However, as I explored the collection, noting the themes, examining each work in detail, and reading the descriptions Jimi has written for each piece, my appreciation grew and deepened, and the work took on a much greater significance than simply a call to reexamine a process. Body of Work is a meditation, a philosophy, an incantation, a call to find the deeper meaning within ourselves. In one description, Jimi writes, “Perhaps … nature is both reality and a dream.” Exploring Jimi’s work, I am ready to accept the reality, the dream, and everything in between.

I am also impressed by how these works celebrate the female form without being the least exploitative. There is sensual beauty in abundance, but no voyeuristic sense of invading the privacy of the models with greedy, consuming eyes. Here we see only female grace, a deep connection with our Earth, the Mother of us all, and a call to honor the divine feminine in all of us, regardless of gender. Jimi has held up a mirror to our better selves. He invites us to sink into it and find connection, peace, bliss, and even ecstasy.

Jimi’s work on KnownOrigin is just as lovely and mesmerizing as the Body of Work collection. I could look at these pieces all day long and never tire - there is so much to take in, so much to absorb. Multi-dimensional Road is a personal favorite.

Let’s let Jimi tell us more.

Can you describe your process?

I'm a photographer and a mixed media artist who works mainly in cyanotypes. It’s a simple photographic process that uses iron salts, potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate, in equal parts. You coat a water resistant paper or cotton cloth, then place objects such as flowers, plants or photographic negatives on it. Expose under UV light, rinse with water and the result is a white photo positive silhouette against a Prussian blue background. 

The first time I made a cyanotype, I was hooked! I started by making simple photograms with anything I could find in nature and learned how to create photo negatives from my photography. From there, I explored different ways to push the process by using more advanced techniques like washing and toning, wet cyanotype processes, adding spices and inks, layering cyanotypes with turmeric anthotypes, painting with the chemicals themselves, adding in watercolor paint and so on.

The thing I find most beautiful about making cyanotypes is the moment you pull the print out of the sun and right before you take off all the materials…between the exposure and the wash. The only way to capture it was to photograph it at that moment, but I wanted a more analog approach. That’s where the idea behind all of my latest physical resin work comes in. I began using resin to seal in all the materials that I used to make the print, and use the print itself as a 'base'. It keeps me from reproducing the exact same image and forces me to find new ideas to create. In a way, it destroyed the redundancy of the process, for me that was important.

Taking it a step further, I began digitally mixing my analog work with photography and animation. My latest NFT collection BODY OF WORK, on Opensea, is an exploration of this. It combines figurative poses with physical cyanotype artwork utilizing the beauty of the human form as a canvas for the elegance of cyanotypes.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Everywhere! I love thinking about the interconnections of nature, science, and spirituality. My work draws heavily on those concepts, exploring how interwoven we are to the environment, the Earth and the universe. Each piece I create, focuses on these connections and takes a look beyond what is seen, into a world that is imagined, to what we then process as truth. These are universal concepts that have infinite meanings on this existential plane.

My inspiration also comes from my connection with others. I believe that everyone we meet, helps us grow and evolve. Since entering the world of NFTs, artists from all over the world have inspired me. Each unique style and approach is a window into the individual artist’s mind. I’m thankful for all these incredible people that I now call friends.

What started you on this journey?

For my 15th birthday, my mother gave me a 35mm SLR camera. What I later realized was that having a camera in my hand was like a shield. As an introverted child, the camera stood between me and my fears and allowed me to approach people through a lens of confidence.

After years of taking recreational photographs and capturing others on film, I turned the camera inward to try and explore the nature of myself. Photography became a therapeutic tool that developed the person I am. Art became a byproduct of my self expression and seeking a higher level of being. 

On this road to self discovery, art and the science of photographic processes led me down the rabbit hole to alternative developing processes and ultimately cyanotype printing.

What prompted you to expand your work into the NFT realm?

At inception, NFTs were an idea that I had not considered, until I further explored the concept. A deeper understanding led me to an appreciation of the opportunities that the NFT world could make possible. 

Having digital assets that would continue to generate royalties on subsequent sales and create generational wealth is a game changer for artists. 

I have been in the digital photography space for over 20 years. The ability to edit my artwork and recreate my photos has become an evolutionary step in my artistic process. Advancing into the NFT realm has become an extension of that evolution. My real world art now has a timeless existence. 

I am excited that the NFT space is limitless. Anyone can participate, and contribute, beyond the boundaries of their imagination.  At this point, I make NFTs of all my real work art and include a QR code with each piece in galleries, accompanied by the note, “This work has also been minted separately as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain.”

Where do you expect your work to take you in the next year?

I strive to keep finding new ways to push the medium. I love the challenge. 

I am working on a solo gallery exhibition of physical pieces for the fall.

Recently, I have been elected to the Arts Community of Easton (ACE) Board of Directors. At our first board meeting we discussed exciting plans for the coming year and new ideas to connect local artists to our community. 

I am always looking for new ways to push cyanotype work into the digital space. I plan on publishing YouTube videos of my processes and to lead cyanotype workshops. I will also continue to host and co-host Clubhouse rooms and Twitter spaces to help onboard artists in the NFT space. 

Remote photography has opened up the ability for me to have a global pallet of models allowing me to incorporate people worldwide into new NFT artwork. 

Where can people find your work?

People can find my work on:

Website - Instagram - Twitter

My work can be collected on:

Known Origin - Opensea - Foundation

View original post