James Miille is a photographer who executed a concept-based photo shoot everyday for a full year that would culminate into a highly developed collection of surreal images “reflecting his own whimsical outlook on the world around him.” These works will premiere at his solo show titled “Life in The Rabbit Hole” 365 days of surreality on Thursday, June 18th, at 199 Mott Street NYC beginning at 6pm. Miille’s solo show is a collaboration between FAME by Alex Mitow, Imagination in Space, and Arte Collective. Curated by Yubal Márquez Fleites and Alex Mitow. Dress code is tea party chic.
You began the photo project for your show “Life in The Rabbit Hole” 365 days of surreality on April 25th, 2014. What inspired you?
When I started the project, my original intention was simply to force myself to gain experience with a rigorous challenge. I asked a friend if she had any suggestions as to how to do this, and she suggested I do a 52 week challenge, a challenge that pushes you to do a photo a week. I was coming up with ideas for photos for this 52 week challenge, but I came up with nine concepts during my first brainstorm and didn’t want to have to wait nine weeks to do all those photos! So, I decided to do a photo a day instead!
What interests you about the dream-like quality of surrealism?
What interests me about surrealism is that it’s not just some magical fairy world–surrealism is so strongly tied to realism that it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference. Especially with photography, I love surrealism because I’m taking real-world elements and putting them together to create something impossible. Surrealism takes you into a dream, a place you can easily forget isn’t real.
Was there a particular photo moment that was especially challenging to capture? Do you have a favorite?
One of my favorite photos was also one of my most challenging, photo 111/365: “Infestation.” It involved going to an Orchard Supply Hardware store
and buying two tubs filled with ladybugs to cover a girl’s face with. My friend and I kept putting the bugs on her hand and face but they kept immediately going up to her hair, so it took some time before I could get any shots where they looked exactly how I wanted them to. Meanwhile, we were also getting bitten by gnats and all other sorts of bugs in the forest we were taking the photo in. It ended up being one of my favorite photos though, so I’d say it was worth it!
Doing something everyday for one year takes discipline. How did you make sure to stay on track with your project? Any advice you could give for someone interested in pursuing a long term endeavor?
It certainly was difficult to keep on track, it’s easy until you start becoming busy with the rest of your life too. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed up until 4 or 5 am just to get that day’s photo complete! The thing was that nobody else was telling me to keep up with the project besides myself. Any long-term endeavor like that takes so much SELF-discipline. My advice to anyone is to have faith in yourself. This project was so important to me and became such a way of life. I cared about it too much to lose track of it.
Did you have a creative team working with you on this?
I didn’t have a creative team working with me on this, but I had endless support from friends, family, and anyone else following my project. Whenever I needed an extra hand or two on a photo shoot, people were always eager to help.
Are you seeking to convey a particular message with the project as a whole?
When I was a kid, I used to always draw these different worlds, much like my photography today. I grew up on an olive orchard in California, so I had my own magical place to grow up. When I moved to New York City two years ago, I grew up very quickly–perhaps a little too quickly. Overall, I’m seeking to bring my childhood back to life while also exploring what it means to be an adult.
What have you learned from this? And what’s next?
Along the way, I’ve learned that the world isn’t exactly what I’ve expected it to be. Although my artwork doesn’t magically make any problems go away, it’s taught me to make my future stronger. And what’s next? My newest project, (im)possible conversations, a 116-photo series that will let you talk to people you never could. You’ll have to come to the show to hear more about it!
