An art scene in Berlin and a few bright spots with Paul Aidan Perry

Featuring Paul Aidan Perry Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Paul Aidan Perry, a Berlin-based photographer, worked with clients like Adidas, UNIQLO, Nike, Levi’s, Converse and many more. Paul shoots fashion editorials, documentary, and lookbooks. 

In this interview, Paul Aidan Perry speaks about the meaning of originality and explains where the inspiration for his works comes from. Read on about the personal view on the art scene in Berlin and reveal what is more exciting day or night!

‘I'd choose black over multicolored and always strive for perfection.’

How old are you? 

31.

Where are you currently located?

Berlin.

Can you introduce yourself in a few sentences for those who don’t know you?

My name is Paul and I take photographs. My work is always quick and straight. Romance is not my style. I'm good at doing many things fairly well and hate platitudes. I'd choose black over multicolored and always strive for perfection.

‘The art scene around me is like a big black hole with a few bright spots.’

What type of people do you like to work with?

I like people who know the stuff I don't know, who are experts in their field and know exactly what they are talking about. Or the raw and clueless, who haven't yet arrived where they're headed. Anything in between I'm less excited by.

What inspires you?

Simply: daily life! There's nothing better.

Nudity is a very frequent subject in your works. Can you call it a motive?

To be honest, this is a very personal aspect of my works as I only photograph a single woman naked. 

Tell a bit about the art scene near you.

The art scene around me is like a big black hole with a few bright spots.

What originality means to you?

Not to overestimate one’s own work. In just a week, my view of it will have changed.

Tell about your biggest success.

Time. My biggest success is that I can almost always divide up my time freely and still manage to live from making "art".

‘Although, generally, I'm inspired by those who make simple things look simple.’

Name a few photographers/artists who influenced you the most.

If you'd ask me again tomorrow, I'd have a completely different answer to this! Although, generally, I'm inspired by those who make simple things look simple.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I'd be less of a perfectionist.

Day or night?

Day, always!

A lesson you’ve learned lately.

That travelling is wonderful. In the past, I didn't find enjoyment in it at all. It rather felt like pure stress to the system. Today, I couldn't do without it.

‘And when I close my eyes, a decade from now, I see myself sitting somewhere in the Italian countryside.’

If you could do anything, what would it be?

I'd go back in time and put myself through a full-on musical education. At the moment, my guitar teacher has to deal with the ramifications of what I've missed! 

Any plans for the future, where do you see yourself in 3 years?

I tend to plan within a timeframe of about 2 weeks max. Generally, I'd like to be more spontaneous in the future. And when I close my eyes, a decade from now, I see myself sitting somewhere in the Italian countryside.