words//laura webster

David Schoerner has immersed himself in every part of the photographic process and has brought together an art form and a publishing house that explores the relationship between photographs and how they ultimately interact with one another. Between producing new prints, publishing his latest art book and having various show in New York City and Los Angeles, David Schoerner took the time to fill us in on his latest going ons.

Your photographs seem to share a common theme of the ocean and a certain nautical nature, where did this begin?

I spent a lot of time around the ocean growing up, that’s where the initial interest grew from. I’m drawn to the various ideas/emotions that the ocean can generate. There’s a surfer mentality to it, a tough guy aspect – with the fishing and crabbing and also a very romantic quality – long walks on the beach, sunsets etc.

When approaching photography, what outcome are you hoping to reach with your final prints?

I don’t think I have one specific outcome that I’m trying to reach but there is a certain feeling that I think carries through all of my work.

For the most part your portraits seem to capture the subject in a nondescript, timeless way. Is this done in part for continuity?

Partially, maybe, but its more that I feel that that is the best way for the viewer to interact with the sitter.

How long ago did you move to New York and how has the move been benefiting your work?

I moved three years ago. I had been living here on and off before then. At first, it was a lot harder for me to make work in the city but now it’s getting easier. I guess it helps that there are a lot of things going on, a lot of opportunities to be a part of.

You started your own publishing house, Hassla Books. Where did that idea come from?

I’ve always loved artist books and had been working at a magazine when I came up with the idea. I wanted to do a small book of my own work but also wanted to be able to work with artists whose work I liked. I wanted to make smaller edition artist books that were printed well and still affordable.

Why did you choose the name Hassla?

It’s the name of the farm my family in Sweden lives on. I spent a month every summer there growing up. I thought it sounded like a good name for a publisher.

Let’s talk about your new book, what’s the focus?

It’s a mixture of still life’s, portraits and landscapes. They were all taken between 2005 and the start of 2010. I’m interested in how photographs can change/react to one another.

How long have you been working on it?

The work spans about five years but I’ve probably been working on the edit and sequence for the past nine months on and off.

When will people be able to get their hands on it?

It should be available mid-April and there will be a launch & signing at Printed Matter on May 1.

What can we expect to see from you in the future as far as your work goes as well as for Hassla?

I’ve been preparing for a few upcoming shows I’ll be in here in NY and one out in LA. Hassla is working on a bunch of upcoming books, the next book by Pierre Le Hors will be a 320 page book, Firework Studies, available early summer.

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Check out David Schoerner’s work at these galleries in the upcoming months.

Younger Than I’ll Be, BAMArt, BK, NY

4×4, Kopeikin Gallery, LA, CA