Skateboarding, Bilbao, Design, And Pamet Studio

Featuring Jaime Asua Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

Website Instagram Pamet Studio

Demanding elements that come from the realm of graphic design are powerful enough to leave a definite imprint on the creative decisions in a desire to present a chosen purpose. An underground music scene is an additional aspect, influential enough, to leave its trace on personal preferences and affect the body of work. People become the center of the narrative.

The focus is on individuals whose actions have meaning in an established universe they occupy. Jaime’s photography offers to question the fine line between realism and the fashion sphere, which transforms physical and inner appearance to the specific and defined presentation, which follows the ground rules usually dictated by the brand.

Jaime Asua, born in Bilbao, the Basque country, is a photographer and filmmaker. Jaime has two Masters degrees in both Commercial and Documentary photography. Starting his career as an editorial graphic designer, Jaime eventually decided to move forward pivoting to freelance photography. We approached Jaime to discuss his love for his hometown, work experience in Berlin, and the way graphic design and typography fine-tunes one’s approach to photography. We discover the initial steps from skateboarding and documenting the music scene that led to documentary photography and fashion.

‘Bilbao is not even considered a city, so it almost feels more like a village, and that makes it really unique and makes me want to stay here.’

Bilbao

Tell about Bilbao, the Basque Country. What do you cherish the most from the local places of your childhood? 

While I’ve always wanted to live abroad because there are not many work opportunities for my liking here, I’m still hooked to this place. I love the landscapes, the weather, and I feel like people here are more honest than in other places I’ve been to. 

How would you describe the city? 

Bilbao is not even considered a city, so it almost feels more like a village, and that makes it really unique and makes me want to stay here.

Berlin

You worked for some time in Berlin as an editorial designer after graduation. What are some of the aspects/knowledge in graphic and editorial design you find essential to apply to photography? 

Graphic design has definitely been very influential in my photography or at least has helped me with it. I guess it made me a more complete artist, thinking beyond pictures and foreseeing composition in a spread page, finesse for typography, and harmony.

Interlude

What is your connection to the skateboarding scene? How did the project Interlude come about? 

I started skating very young, my cousin gave me his board when I was around 8, so I have a close relation with the culture. Skateboarding introduced me to distinct music and visual aesthetics and made me want to document my friends. After many years of filming, I felt the need to put out a bigger project in the DVD format, so it would last longer, unlike today's 3-minute edit tendency. It took me almost two years to finish the video, and doing the premiere in a local gallery was so rewarding.

‘I have always been involved in music, although I can’t really play any instruments. I listen to a lot of Drexciya, LFO, Wipers, Black Sabbath, Quasimoto, and Inga Copeland, just to name a few.’

Music

Your photography reveals an obvious connection to music, filming live sessions. What are some of your favorite bands? 

Yes, I have always been involved in music, although I can’t really play any instruments. I listen to a lot of Drexciya, LFO, Wipers, Black Sabbath, Quasimoto, and Inga Copeland, just to name a few.

Which musicians from Bilbao do you like?

Bilbao has some superb musicians like Vulk, Serpiente, and Katza. 

How would you describe the underground music scene & photography connection?  

The underground music scene needs to be documented to show the full story. I think one complements the other and vice versa, but I also like artists with little footage because you get to create their visual identity in your head, and that's rad.

‘Skateboarding made me take photos and videos more seriously, but before that, I remember myself borrowing my parents' 35mm point and shoot and snapping detailed shots of flowers and strangers.’

Photography

What drove you towards photography? What are some of the topics you would shoot back then? 

As I’ve said before, skateboarding made me take photos and videos more seriously, but before that, I remember myself borrowing my parents' 35mm point and shoot and snapping detailed shots of flowers and strangers. That's how I got introduced to documentary photography, and later on, discovering early print issues of Vice Magazine made me see photography in a whole different way.

Upcoming Projects

What are your plans for this year? What are you working on right now?

Since the lockdown, I’ve been working on a product design project with my partner. We aim to release it around the end of the year. It's called Pamet Studio, and you can already follow us on Instagram @pamet.studio