I like to create strong and striking images with one goal in mind: I want my images to provoke thought and discussion. I want the viewer to question himself, to question his certainties, to learn to see things differently. Reflection on two levels: that of the individual and that of society. At the individual level, I want my work to take the viewer into a process of reflection around the constraints he imposes on himself, the acceptance of his body, or learn to look differently to find beauty in all shapes, sizes and defects. At the societal level, my reflections turn to the choices we will have to make tomorrow: our morals, our environment, our responsibility towards future generations, our relationship to science, the transformation of homo sapiens into a new species...
My images come from a wide range of inspiration, through many writings, such as those of Bernard Werber or Yuval Noah Harari, but also through the images of great photographers like David Lachapelle or Jill Greenberg. Not forgetting, of course, my pop culture, from Marvel to Tolkien, and the rock and metal music of the 70s and 80s.
Combining strong ideas with the relevant aesthetics of an image seems easier to me than writing a political or philosophical essay. Art allows us to send a more subtle message, a message that will be interpreted differently by the viewer. By using in my artistic creation, the subtlety and the multi-interpretation of the message, I want to allow the spectators to put in perspective their ideas, their visions of the things and thus to better understand mine. I want to caress the unconscious and become the seed that will germinate over time allowing an evolution of mentalities.
Most artists have very radical opinions on their subject. I tend to believe that most of our daily challenges and problems are not simple and involve a complex and subtle solution. I like to consider both sides of a coin. Isn't that ironic for a 2D artist? For now, I have found photography to be the most comfortable way to express myself. But I'm starting to think about sculpture and video to more easily express the permanent duality that coexists in me: anger and hope.
My anger comes from contemplating a world that seems to be spinning counter-clockwise. I often feel misunderstood and angry at many things. I feel anger at the state of the world. I feel defeated by the stupidity, violence and hypocrisy of people. I am constantly amazed at the fear of progress and science. And I also sincerely believe that our world is better now than it has ever been. But this anger fades when I contemplate the creativity and intelligence of the human race. So it is in the human race that I place my hope and expectations for tomorrow!
Idan Wizen
