frutti di mare

i was notified this horror magazine interview is now online www.horrormagazine.it

can't say i appreciate mixing an old calender photo of myself there, but not going to bother complaining either. its yrs old, taken for a deviantART calendar, they wanted self portraits that may be linked to the style of work...and lying in a pool of fakeblood might not tick everyones sense of irony or humor but whatever... i just dont think it belongs there with the actual photography.

the interview itself was interesting. i dunno if they published all of it, my italian is not exactly...well, existing. but the original questions by Dany Caputo, and my answers, are below;


1. So, Jenny, why don't you tell us something about your future projects concerning your art?

i am now actually in a bit of a tough spot regarding my photography, ive been having a nasty photographers block for a while now. very frustrating, but what can you do?! as for solid plans, i am just going to have to try one way or another to break this pattern and get on track. i am just taking it one step at a time, scheduling one shoot to a week from now... I have one SuicideGirls set shoot coming up.. thats about it really!

2. What do you think about censorship in the artistic field? Have you ever been censored?

i am lucky to not have been in the eye of the "censor" much. of course it all depends on which fiend of art you work in and where you showcase yourself. internet is easy as a new media and for the choice of venues you can use to present your work in. i know magazines that came to me wanting to make a story, but changed their minds when the editor said its too drastic for the general public. but i dont mind stuff like that, if i did, i wouldnt be taking these photos.

3. I know you don't like to label yourself as an artist, but you can't ignore the fact that worldwide magazines are interviewing you and putting you on their cover... and also that on YouTube you can find videos about yourself. How do you feel about all this fuss?

all in all, i think anyone who creates, appreciates their work being showcased and talked about. i cannot complain at all, i am merely thankful. it means a lot to me that people like my work and are interested in reading about me. at the same time, one should never be dependent on it, as "artist" (using the word just for you ;)) it all begins within yourself and the need to do what you do. you do it whether its liked or not. if its liked, and creates discussion, you are very lucky. thats how i feel about it anyway.

4. You travel a lot all around the world. I read you've been to Asia, India, America, and often you've met other artists there, Do you find it important for an artist to get into contact with so many different cultures?

well important is a difficult word. it depends. there are many great artists in the history (not that i compare myself to them) that did not travel much, but i think for many that create it becomes natural to want to see what else is out there. exceptions excluded, artists tend to have exceptionally open mind in some aspects at least... and a big part of learning your craft is usually seeing what others do, comparing and evolving yourself based on what you see and what you admire and so forth. i dont think traveling is a necessity at all... and luckily with the internet the world gets closer to you. but some people, like me, seem to get something out of it. traveling for me is not mostly for artistic motives though, i just like it as a person and know creative people at chance because i meet them through art websites etc. traveling has changed me as a whole and affected my photography in that way.


5. As an artist, and please allow me that, how would you like to be remembered, when your time comes?

if i am remembered (not necessary at all, with my outlook on life)... ...let it be for i uncompromisingly did what i wanted to do. and let it be for mixing pop culture elements and "darker" elements in way that made people feel something and opened their minds perhaps.

6. Movies have always inspired you a lot. If you should tell us three names of the most beautiful horror movies ever, what would they be?

beautiful horror movies, well. bram stokers dracula, sleepy hollow, honogurai mizu (the original asian version of dark water), alien 3, texas chainsaw massacre (2003)

7. You have designed the cover of Mark Benecke's book "Vampires Among us". Lately, at least here in Italy, there's much talk about vampires, with movies and books that tell us about them. Do you like this phenomenon?

vampires have always been a great source of mythisism and stories etc... the books, paintings and movies tell their story. i dont really have anything to add to that, i have used vampires as inspiration as well, as you mentioned. the phenomenon is therefor fine by me ;)

8. You love cats and collect items about them. Have you ever wondered how the two very different parts of you - the one that takes photos of brutal things and the one that loves fluffy animals - can live in the same body?

it seems to puzzle everyone else but me. how could there be such beautiful things in this world, as little kitties, love and nature, and at the same time so much horror, violence and pain? it seems as if the photos make me seem aggressive or hateful... but i am just researching the topics, of which some are considered scary. im just a girl. and i appreciate the good things. well that varies for people, but for me kitties and bunnies are the bestest.

9. If you should tell us 3 terrible secrets, forgetting about all the readers who are now in front of their computer, what would they be?

1. one of the first horror movies i saw and that affected me a lot (good way? err) was Prison (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095904/), after it i just sat in my bed, my back against the wall, lights and radio on and could not let myself fall asleep because i was so terrified. i probably passed out some time in the morning. i was probably around 10yrs old at the time.
2. as if the kitty item collection was not schocking enough, i sleep with 3 stuffed animals in my bed that i consider my children; Bianca (brown bunny), Little Tiger (white/black striped tiger) and Buena (white bunny).
3. When i read in the groupie forums online that Peter Steele of Type O Negative is submissive... thats when his sex appeal collapsed for me. i think im still upset over it and secretly hope its not true what they say. although what is it of my interest? good question, well im just a girl and that was a secret!!!!!

10. Can you give some suggestions to the wannabe photographers who are reading this now?

wannabe photographers of the world: as boring as it sounds, no shortcuts exist. just keep shooting. a longer take on the subject here:
http://suzi9mm.deviantart.com/journal/7718028/

11. Do you find easily your models or are they scared because of all the blood and the violence?

these days actually a lot of models contact me to be photographed and not the other way around. so i think that somewhat answers your question ;)

12. What do you think of controversial musicians like, for example, Marilyn Manson, who labels himself as the "AntiChrist"?

controversy and doing something different is usually good and refreshing. i dont personally care if an artist calls themselves an antichrist or whatever. i have read M.Manson's biography he wrote with Neil Strauss and he came off as a very smart and expressive person, the controversial stuff is just pushing the limits and different type of expression from what i could see. nothing supernatural or evil there. its still not my favorite kind of music though :D stirring things up a little takes bravery, i appreciate it.