Interview: Jaie Johnson Miller
Luca Curci talks with Jaie Johnson Miller during SECRET SPACES, second appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

“Jaie Johnson Miller (b. 1987) is a black-British artist based in London. His artistic journey began after being deeply inspired by the film “City of God” directed by Fernando Meirelles in 2002. Captivated by the visual storytelling of the movie, he picked up his first camera, a Nikon FE, marking the start of his artistic exploration.”

Luca Curci – When you take photos, are you usually inspired by the situation or do you find inspiration in yourself?
Jaie Johnson Miller – Inspiration is something that I have pursued for some years. I felt like it was something I had to unlock. I believe more in consistent effort – “Pegasus walks more often than he gallops.” Having been inspired by several names it is enough to be reminded from time to time of the images that originally sparked my interest in the medium. Michel Leris said about poetry: Poetry’s favourite moment is when one loses one’s footing because of a seismic shaking of thought – for myself, I know the image when I see it. It is something I must capture. Often I have to be patient enough for it to happen (which is an area of weakness) or courageous enough to approach it (which I am working on all the time).

LC – How important is the editing process in your work? How’s yours?
JJM – I don’t believe that too much editing is useful for my purpose, simply if there is no image then there is very little even the best editor can do to make one. Fake skies, different backgrounds and many many changes are possible with today’s technology – I seem to find that the initial image with some adjustments best serves my purpose. Making sure the lines are straight and some small imperfections (lens scratches, scanner dust) are removed is as much as I tend to need in order to prepare for print.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
JJM – I have 100% access to the street so the theme is often chosen for me. What is happening in my day-to-day reality? My style has always been to creep into the camera and try to see with its eyes and think with its brain. I believe like Flusser said, “the camera’s imagination is greater than that of every photographer” so I try to get out of the way and let it think & see. I still love black and white photography for its ability to portray the simple elegance of a situation, it reveals form for me in a way that hasn’t changed. On top of this, I still have strong analogue inclinations – so I will always allow for the camera and the film type to participate hugely in the making of an image.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
JJM – Thank you. The art shown for Secret Spaces seemed to fit the notion of boundaries, in Transcendence there might be some questions about identity and how fully committed any of us are to ours and what forms part of that identity. The pieces have travelled quite far; they were shot respectively in Rome, London and Tokyo – they were all printed in Tokyo by Tokugawa Editions and framed in London to be displayed in Venice. I am proud of their journey.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
JJM – The theme of the exhibition offers clarity without restriction. It is an open suggestion for artists to contribute each in their unique way. From what I understand the vision is lucid and there are no
barriers to contribution or interpretation.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
JJM – ITSLIQUID GROUP is awesome. With many thousands of followers and calls – there is a plethora of opportunities for artists.