Interview with erotic art photographer Frederic Levar

As a part of the new exhibition of Fredic Levar's work we of Duclerck decided to do a short interview with this talented photographer from France. Duclerck has already written a short article about his work, inluding samples of his earlier work. The article can be read by clicking here.

Interview with erotic art photographer Fréderic Levar

1) Can you name an element in your work that makes it a typical Levar photograph?

My muse. She is the center of my work.
And then of course you will ask: “So there would not be any photography by you without her? “ Of course there would be. But different. Not better or worse. Just different. Things change constantly. For example: we are thinking now about having others in our photography. And maybe she will be beside me and the camera, instead of in front of it.
There is another element in my photography: Escapism.

2) Why did you choose for erotic photography instead of for example landscape photography?

There is not so much difference between erotic and landscape photography. It all comes down to one decisive moment.
Let’s say you are driving through a magical landscape, watching intensely. And then suddenly the photo is there. You see it. You stop your car, some twenty, fifty meters further.
And then it is gone. It was there, but you don’t know where, you don’t have the coordinates. So you walk back with your camera, but cannot find it. Why? Because it is this unique moment, where every element strengthens the other to perfection. Not only the landscape, but you as well; the way you tilted your head, the speed you were driving, the thought you had when you saw it, the flair of light in your sunglasses, the itch on your left foot, the sparrow you didn’t even see, etc. You can probably shoot something very close, but this picture you saw is gone. Exactly the same applies to erotic photography, where it maybe gets even more complicated, because there are several individuals involved. The imponderables are numberless. And there you are; totally dependent on the gods.
I do both; landscapes and erotic photography. But Duclerck is not interested in landscapes, so how can you know?

3) You live both in the Netherlands, Amsterdam as on the countryside in France. Is this combination of opposites an inspiration for your work?

Probably, but I cannot say how and how much really. I feel privileged to be able to dwell in two different worlds, which I have chosen for myself. So it should produce some inspiration. Opposites, contrasts and conflicts usually generate energy. Especially in France I have the opportunity to create and control an environment exactly to my liking. There is the principal theatre for us. You could ask as well: Is traveling a source of inspiration for you? I think any fuelling of new impressions is inspirational.

4) You said that you started nude and fetish photography when you met your muse. Can you say that you need a muse in order to make your best work?

Didn’t I answer that already? But the best work? How can I know. The best is always “so far”. I know how important she is for me. I admire and enjoy what she does and what that means to me. I cannot say how much I depend on her and how far she allows me to go. I know she has all the space a photographer can give a model in his work. That’s my gift and what I get in return is so much more. Her contribution is about intuition and intelligence: Chemistry. We do our best together and can that get any better?? But, yes, I need my muse. Who can live without one?

5) What can you show with fetish photography that you can’t show with erotic nudes?

Nothing, but I can suggest more. Erotic nudes are mainly about esthetics; about the shape of beauty. You can be tempted by that. It can trigger feelings and ultimately arouse you. A beautiful human body being shown in a tempting, sometimes suggestive way find quite some people very enjoyable. Then there is fine art nude photography, which is more abstract and distant. I find it mostly Calvinistic and sometimes even hypocritical.
From the moment you start adding some drama to the picture, some suggestions of a story, an action; there is quite a change in the character of it. Your position as viewer changes, for example. You suddenly seem to get in a voyeuristic spot, with or without permission of those in the picture to share something intimate with them. That’s why reactions to pornography can be so out of proportion. A photo of a couple making love: Is that an erotic nude picture or does the action add something to it which makes it more? And then it is the kind of action, that puts a photo in the category fetish. But actually that’s nothing more than a label indicating sexual preferences that are maybe less common.

6) In most of your work it’s always one model in the picture. Is their a specific reason?

Yes, there is always one model, but she is seldom alone, because there is always the suggestion of others; the result of actions by others or the call for others. Look at the series in the wood. Is she there really only one person? I once shot a short movie in which you saw a girl having to make a delivery of money in some criminal act and who ends up stabbed in her hotel-room. You were only with her, you only saw her silly action that lead to her death, but the film was full of others, whose presence you simply felt. There is quite a strong involvement in the action felt by the viewer in that way. I want a similar process with my photos. But as I said earlier: we are conceiving photos in which more models will participate.

7) Why would people want an original Levar in their homes?

It is not the question ‘Why?’ but who wants a photo by me?
I hope it will be those who value freedom of expression. Those who are particularly interested in the intrinsic beauty of the erotic and who are aware of the value of that. Collectors, I hope. Whether they want to share this with whoever comes to their homes or keep this for themselves in the privacy of their quarters is of no importance. It’s the people who are open minded, who want to be touched by the sincerity; who enjoy the emotions that are hopefully provoked by my photos. I don’t worry about what my pictures can arouse. But it is a rewarding thought, if our pictures are a positive contribution to people’s sex-life as well. Sex and art have the same muse.

See more of his work at his personal website.
Would you like to kow more about Frederic Levar? Read the article right here on Duclerck.
If you would like to read more articles click here to visit our erotic photography article archive.