As I'm sure you all know, one of our affiliates, BOXeight has provided us with endless interviews (see Isaiah Garnica and Dirk Mai's for more) and they continue to give us more insight to what they do. Peter Gurnz, the creator and head honcho of BOXeight lets us know a little bit more about himself (other than the fact that he looks a lot like Sawyer from LOST).
You’re the founder of BOXeight studios, right? When and how did you come up with the idea for it?
Yes I am. I'm not sure if it really ever was an idea, BOXeight exists out of necessity. I have been running creative spaces for over 10 years since college. But then to my youth, it isn't all that different from the tree houses/mansions I grew up in as a child and even young adult. We grew up on our own out in the woods in the suburbs of NY, finding creative ways of entertaining ourselves.
Is photography the only thing going on at BOXEight? Or is there more that we don’t know too much about?
There’s is a hell of a lot more going on at BOXeight, we represent various artists, we do films, graphic design, event marketing. Our main gig really is Art, Music and Fashion. We produce a Fashion week twice a year in Downtown, and we have a monthly art show in our new gallery. We do weekly parties in Hollywood and pool parties.. it goes pretty deep.
You guys rent out BOXeight for events and stuff, how do you feel about that?
We like it as long as we like the content of the event. Not really into raves or promoters that are solely interested in turning a nickel. We like people and producers that are interested in exhibiting artists and entertaining their guests... pushing the envelope of creative entertainment.
Where do you find all of your photographers, models and stylists?
We are surrounded by them on a daily basis.... all the most talented people In LA just sort of end up here at some point... and if they play nice with others then we kinda recruit them. were a family of like-minded artisans, we encourage involvement, and anyone serious about their career sees their possibility of taking advantage of a good thing.
When did you get your own start in photography? Did you have any formal education in it? Did it help / hinder you?
Well, I have always taken pictures, the world is a beautiful place and here are so many moments, sometimes I just have to close my eyes, and sometimes take a picture... ya know? I went to school at the Rhode Island School of Design and figured I would take photography but some of my teachers really pushed me into Industrial Design. Looking back - they were very smart in doing so. My photography is only one aspect of what I do - I build BOXeight by hand and I love interior design, I also have a line of ceramic products that are just awesome and playful - lamps with mohawks kinds deal... so It was a good fit for me. Photography is the closest thing to me - but a good picture takes a lot more thought. I love building sets and textures, if you look at my work it is all very industrial.
Do you think that you should have a formal education (going to college, beyond) in the field of photography?
Absolutely!!!!! I don’t care if your on drugs the whole time, or tell your teacher to off themselves on a daily basis.... But GO! The hardest aspect for any independent artists is managing their career and staying focused, determined, and following through. The mere process of education teaches you this and sets a bar for how seriously you take yourself and your work. YOU DONT HAVE TO LIKE YOUR TEACHERS, BUT YOU HAVE TO LIKE YOURSELF.
What’s been the most rewarding photo shoot to do?
Any shoot that involves travel, it remind me how big the world is. It is easy to seclude yourself into what your comfortable with and hibernate in your studio - the world is huge and you have to constantly break the barriers
Do you have a preference on where to shoot (studio or on location)?
I live in a photo studio - you gotta get out and play with the natural surroundings. Studio is important but the stories just aren’t the same. You can get into character as a model or as a photographer when your in someone else’s environment.
What kind of equipment do you usually use?
Canon and Profoto, but if your new there’s no need for all that. Don’t let equipment limit you, there are plenty of cost efficient solutions to lighting, v flats and bed sheets if need be.
Is there a certain style of shooting that you have that you call your own?
I dont really like to call anything my own... thats a very self centered idea... I don’t think creativity or creation belongs to anyone or anything- its inspired from things and re released into the consciousness. It may sound cliche but I don’t care.... Come together with things rather than owning them. I try and focus on that concept in all areas of my life, even people. Like this is "my girlfriend" or "my boyfriend" you cant own things, were just all apart of it. besides I hate old work - its just looks stale and unoriginal after a while. Who wants to own that?
Are you going to miss Polaroids when they’re extinct? How do you feel about shooting with film?
Terribly.... I am stockpiling a secret stash... Im sure someone with make a replacement but it will probably be enourmously expensive. I love film, but with all the other aspects of art, design, and production the reality of me getting some time to myself in a dark room is far fetched.
How do you feel about the Orphan Works Act (which basically says that you have to register every piece of intellectual property that you have with the government for protection on it)?
I try not to think about those kinds of things.... I really just don’t even understand what that means, nor do I suspect to be effected by it. Its the whole ownership thing again - at the end of the day it wont matter, thats just about money and ego.
Do you think that all of your photographs have been something more than that? That there’s a story behind every picture you take or the classic, “a picture is worth a thousand words?”
Far more than a thousand.... i encourage anyone when they look at a photo to look for a couple things. What’s happened to lead up to that photograph? Like who else is in the room or how did they get there a that moment? like nude photography.... who's idea was that? what was the dialogue that took place... all these pictures have relationships attached to them, and coffee shops and diners in foreign places... Imagine the lives of the people in the picture. You’ll see heart ache and jealousy and anger or love. Then you can relate to the image in a way deeper than the scene it portrays.
How do you feel about the saying that every time someone’s picture is taken, a piece of their soul is taken away with that?
To me, it sort of feels like when someone tries to explain something to me they know nothing about.... I think that this is one of those "the world is flat," kinda ignorant statements, which have come from a time when people just didn’t understand technology. A camera captures light, not souls.
Who would you say your muse is?
I have had many. Women for sure. There is nothing like a perfect woman, they can steal your breath and motivate you in ways like nothing i have ever experienced. besides that the friends I have around me - they are also very motivating for me, but in more of a competitive sense.
Do you enjoy traveling for photo shoots? And do you do it a lot?
YES, and as often as I can. I would rather spend money on experience than objects.
Is there someone you really want to photograph?
Milla Jovovich in 1994 - that would have just about blown my mind.
Have you ever encountered a situation in your career where you’ve felt uncomfortable shooting someone or something?
Occasionally, a shoot just wont work and there is just nothing that will fix it - it has to do with energy levels... If there isn't the right chemistry I just give up - it’ll be a waste of time, and even if I get a decent shot - I’ll still just look at the picture and feel uncomfortable and resent it.
What kind of advice do you have for photographers that are just getting their start, or people that want to do photography for a living?
carry your camera everywhere and feed it energy - It will teach you to look for the moment. Waiting for a bus, or looking out a window - teach your eyes to see what the camera will see... you’d be amazed how many beautiful moments go by when your not looking for them. a dog by a dumpster or a sunset on an overpass...
Anything you want to say or that people reading this blog should know?
Don’t give up, the most successful artists are really just the most stubborn. We live in a machine that wants you to play a part - take an objective role and don’t involve yourself with matters that don’t concern you. Concern yourself with those around you and the people who are offering you their energy.
Check out more of Pete's work at www.gurnz.com & his tumblr.
-Sara "is now the poorest kid on campus" Garcia
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