Alec Soth
Q&A interview for
Brighton Photography Biennial
Alec Soth will be presenting work made in collaboration with his seven year old daughter for this year's Brighton Photo Biennial.
Untitled. From the series 'Brighton Picture Hunt', 2010. Photoworks Commission Photo: CARMEN & ALEC SOTH
Alec Soth (b. 1969) is a photographer born and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
For this year's Brighton Photo Biennial, Soth was commissioned by Photoworks for the show Strange & Familiar: Three Views of Brighton. Denied permission to work in the UK earlier this year, he handed over the reins of his latest exhibition to a new collaborator: his seven-year-old daughter Carmen.
What's the greatest picture you didn’t take?
I’m not that obsessed with individual photographs. In a matter of seconds I could do a Google image search and come up with a dozen pictures that are ‘greater’ than any I’ve ever taken. The challenge is coming up with a great sequence of pictures that work together.
Which photographer would you most like to (a) work with and (b) talent spot
I’m a terrible collaborator. I’ve worked with someone I’ve idolized as a young photographer – John Gossage. I found the process nerve-wracking. So if I was going to collaborate again, I might have to wait a couple of decades until someone idolizes me.
For young talent, I’d go to the Netherlands. I love the work of Anouk Kruithof.
What keeps you awake at night?
My two kids – and the fact that I don’t photograph them or anyone else I know. I’d like to eventually do work at home but haven’t figured out how to do it.
If you hadn't have become a photographer what would you have like to have been?
I imagine I’d be doing some sort of online entrepreneurial activity.
Do you have a life philosophy?
The key to happiness is living in the moment. But as a photographer, I’m looking for the exact opposite. I want to stop time. So I guess my philosophy is to stubbornly carry on.
How do you germinate ideas for your work?
As I’m falling asleep.
You in three words
Little Brown Mushroom
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
Follow curiosity shamelessly.
