Jerry Hsu's Photographic Journey of Love and Loss in Los Angeles

In his latest book, How About Never, Jerry Hsu reflects on 15 years of life in Los Angeles through a lens shaped by both love and heartbreak. The designer and photographer describes the city as a living entity, an extension of his subconscious that communicates through imagery. “I’m catching it and, when I wake up, I have to try to make sense of what it’s telling me,” Hsu explains, highlighting how his artistic process intertwines with his personal experiences.

For Hsu, the act of photography transcends mere documentation; it becomes a pathway to understanding deeper emotional truths. “These are photographic representations of my emotional state,” he notes, emphasizing that the images encapsulate his feelings about intimacy, isolation, and the complexities of existence within the sprawling metropolis.

Spanning from 2011 to the present, Hsu’s collection showcases a narrative that mirrors his life, including the rise and fall of a marriage. This relationship, while central to the story, remains elusive within the pages, with Hsu revealing that his wife appears only once, her presence felt more through the emotional context than through direct representation. “It’s not about a place; it’s how I felt in this place,” he expresses, suggesting that the essence of Los Angeles is deeply woven into his personal narrative.

Editing the book took two years, a process that was both challenging and cathartic. Hsu faced the difficult task of selecting images that resonated with his emotional journey. “I make photographs of the things that I think will be important to me later,” he shares, likening his work to a diary that evolves over time. The editing phase required him to confront his emotional attachments to certain images, often resulting in the painful elimination of those he could not justify.

As he navigated through his photographs, Hsu realized the book also served as a reflection of his tumultuous relationship. The editing process coincided with his separation, prompting him to confront the reality of his emotions. “There’s a sense of failure sprinkled throughout the book,” he admits, acknowledging the challenges of letting go of ideals alongside the pursuit of artistic expression.

The imagery within the book captures a myriad of opposing forces—hope, despair, chaos, and connection. Hsu’s work reveals the complexity of his emotional landscape and the symbolic representations of his experiences. “The city is like my subconscious,” he muses, suggesting that the vastness of Los Angeles mirrors the intricacies of his inner world. This connection between environment and emotion is something he developed through his years as a skateboarder, practicing a heightened awareness of his surroundings.

For Hsu, skateboarding has instilled a curiosity about the hidden aspects of the city. This perspective informs his photography, as he constantly seeks to uncover new narratives within the familiar streets of Los Angeles. “Skateboarding makes you highly suspicious that your environment is hiding something,” he explains, embracing the idea that every corner of the city could reveal a new story.

Ultimately, Hsu's photography oscillates between intentionality and spontaneity. His creative process is a balance of planning and being open to the unexpected moments that arise. “A lot of this stuff comes when I’m on my way to do something else,” he reflects, underscoring the importance of being present in the moment.

As Hsu prepares to share his visual diary with the world, he invites readers to explore the layers of his experiences, the narratives of love and loss, and the essence of a city that has profoundly shaped his artistic voice.

Source: www.highsnobiety.com