Interview | Tristan Bennett
We met Tristan Bennett, author of pictures and videos that speak of solitary and uninhabited places where human silence is the protagonist. Sometimes, only nature speaks and marks a non-ordinary time, where the desert of feelings is already an experience of nostalgia.
Looking at your works it is clear that you are a lover of liminal places. What do they represent for you?
Liminal spaces represent the idea of passing time, loneliness or feeling forgotten, and often nostalgia as well.
Some of your photos and videos look like they’re waiting for something to happen or something just passed. What do you think about the concept of time passing?
The idea of time passing is a huge element within my work that I create. Time passing is something I am often painfully aware of, or almost haunted by. It scares me but it’s also somehow beautiful when you think about it. It makes me feel quite emotional.
Where do you take your photos and videos?
I take photos wherever I am, and I travel often for work, but most of my photos are taken in the state of Iowa, in the United States. We don’t have very many major cities, and we are mostly known for farm lands and fields here, which makes it a prime space for liminal subjects.
Alice Munro, who recently died, wrote that in everyone’s life there are few places, perhaps only one. The others don’t matter. What’s your idea about it?
I think I can relate to that quote somewhat. Very few places have profound impact on me, but the ones that do i’ll remember forever. I always try to immortalize those places in my photos and videos.
Youth just passed or old age looming: in your works do objects also evoke feelings?
Yes I would say objects in my photos definitely make an impact on the feelings I try to convey. Whether it be older toys, or old signs, furniture, etc. It all just adds to the space.
All the pictures by Tristan Bennett | Instagram
