The Urbanaut Podcast

• Ep. #66: A Thing or Not a Thing - Adam Friedberg’s Journey Through Urban Photography

  🎙️ Welcome to Episode #66 of The Urbanaut Podcast!Presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com, this episode features the brilliant Adam Friedberg, a New York-based photographer known for his deeply observational work capturing urban spaces, architectural elements, and the changing cityscape.About Our Guest: Adam FriedbergAdam Friedberg’s photography explores the intersection of architecture, space, and absence, often focusing on overlooked environments like empty lots, single-story buildings, and hidden urban details. His career spans from assisting top commercial photographers in the 90s to becoming a highly regarded artist with a distinct voice in architectural and documentary photography. Friedberg’s work balances technical precision with a meditative approach to image-making, inviting viewers to reconsider their surroundings.Tune in to this episode to:- Discover how a Tibetan monk's advice set Adam on his creative journey.- Hear the wild story of how he crashed a fashion photography studio and landed his first job.- Explore the philosophy behind his work—why he focuses on "a thing or not a thing".- Learn about his major projects, including Empty Lots, Single Story, and Urban Jungle.- Gain insights into photography as a trade vs. art form, the evolution of New York, and the tension between commercial and personal work.OUTLINE:0:00 - Coming Up…1:01 - Introduction & Guest Background2:59 - Academia, Philosophy, and the CIA Connection6:30 - The Tibetan Monk’s Advice That Changed Everything7:20 - Accidental Entry into Photography9:27 - Learning Photography Through Immersion12:22 - The Reality of Assisting in High-End Fashion Photography16:00 - The Grueling Pace of Commercial Photography in the 90s29:03 - The Shift from Fashion to Personal Work32:06 - Finding a New Direction in Architectural Photography49:14 - The Concept of “A Thing or Not a Thing” in Photography51:19 - Major Photography Projects & The Evolution of His Work57:14 - The Influence of Books and Prints on Photography1:11:52 - The Role of Imperfection & Photography as a Trade vs. Art Form1:15:02 - The Challenge of Documenting a Changing City1:19:24 - Why He Refuses to Crop His Photos1:41:13 - Final Thoughts & The Nature of SeeingDon't forget to:- Subscribe to our channel for more conversations with artists and photographers.- Like & Share this episode if you enjoy deep-dive discussions on photography and creative practice.- Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.EPISODE LINKS:Adam Friedberg’s Work: www.adamfriedberg.com | Instagram: @adam_friedbergSOCIALS: Twitter: @UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: @TheUrbanautPodcast Support us on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcastHashtags:#AdamFriedberg #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #UrbanPhotography #Architecture #NewYork #ArtisticExploration #Urbanautica #PhotographyPodcast #VisualNarrative #Cityscapes

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• Ep. 65: Amber, Byker & The Writing in the Sand - A Lifetime of Seeing with Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen

  🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #65 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com!In this captivating episode, we sit down with the legendary Finnish-British photographer Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, whose work has profoundly shaped documentary photography in Britain. From her groundbreaking project Byker, capturing a working-class community in Newcastle, to her poetic exploration of life on the North East beaches in Writing in the Sand, Konttinen’s career spans over five decades of deeply human storytelling.About Our Guest: Sirkka-Liisa KonttinenSirkka-Liisa Konttinen is a photographer and filmmaker, co-founder of the Amber Film & Photography Collective, and an MBE awardee for her contributions to photography. Her work is held in prestigious collections, including the Tate, National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.), and the UK Memory of the World Register.Konttinen’s practice is deeply embedded in the communities she documents, often spanning decades. She first moved to Newcastle in 1969, where she produced Byker, a seminal documentary of a disappearing way of life. She later revisited the area for Byker Revisited, capturing the changes in the community and its people. Her work is not just about capturing moments; it’s about relationships, memory, and the evolution of place.Tune in to this episode to:- Follow Sirkka-Liisa’s journey from Finland to Britain and into the world of photography.- Learn how she co-founded Amber Collective and their philosophy of creative independence.- Explore her Byker and Byker Revisited projects—how she lived among her subjects and documented their lives over decades.- Discover how her photographs turned into films, including Writing in the Sand and Today I’m With You.- Hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories, including the mystery grandma and the barber who rejected his own portrait.Don't forget to:- Subscribe to our channel for more deep dives into the world of photography and art.- Like & share this episode to spread the stories of documentary photography.- Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive interviews.OUTLINE:0:00 - Coming Soon…1:50 - Early Life in Finland & First Encounters with Photography5:09 - The Chocolate Bar Hustle: Buying Her First Enlarger7:41 - Studying in London & Discovering Documentary Film11:19 - Why Documentary? Photography as a Time Capsule14:07 - Meeting Murray Martin & Founding the Amber Collective15:06 - Living on £8 a Week: The Amber Collective’s Philosophy28:12 - Newcastle’s Beaches: The Birth of a 20-Year Project31:39 - The Mystery Grandma: A Photograph with Many Claimants35:57 - Photography as Performance: Camouflaging with a Bikini38:07 - The Writing in the Sand: From Photographs to Film39:06 - The Cinematic Nature of Photography49:22 - Returning to Negatives: Finding Hidden Gems57:55 - Byker: A Community on the Brink of Change1:15:45 - The Barber Who Rejected His Own Portrait1:22:47 - The Byker Book: A Local Treasure1:26:59 - Reflections on a Life in Documentary Photography1:33:37 - Losing the Studio: The Break-In That Changed Her Approach1:37:05 - The Abandoned Piano Girl & A Lasting Connection1:40:32 - The Impact of Community Photography: Still Here, Byker1:54:00 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Sirkka’s WorkSOCIAL LINKS:Amber Collective & Films: amber-online.comSirkka-Liisa’s Work & Books: Dewi Lewis PublishingWatch Amber’s Films (Including Writing in the Sand): VimeoFollow The Urbanaut Podcast: Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast Support us on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast#SirkkaLiisaKonttinen #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #DocumentaryPhotography #AmberCollective #Byker #WritingInTheSand #VisualNarrative #ArtisticExploration #Urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

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• Ep. #64: Intuition, Photography, and the Power of Letting Go - A Deep Dive with Nigel Baldacchino

  🎙️ Welcome to Episode #64 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com.In this compelling episode, we sit down with Maltese artist and design architect Nigel Baldacchino, whose work spans photography, architecture, poetry, and experimental music. Nigel's unique artistic approach blends deep philosophical inquiry with intuitive photographic practice, resulting in visually and conceptually rich projects. From exploring themes of anxiety and perception to discussing his international exhibitions, this episode offers an insightful look into Nigel’s creative world.About Our Guest: Nigel BaldacchinoNigel Baldacchino (b. 1989, Malta) is an artist and design architect known for his diverse creative output. His photo-text publication Soon Out of Context (2019) combined poetry with found imagery, while his experimental ambient project Pool Night (2021) introduced his sonic explorations under Belgian label Complex Holiday. In 2023, he was part of the prestigious Penumbra Foundation Long-Term Photobook Program, and in 2024, he served as exhibition designer for the first edition of MaltaBiennale.Art. His photography has been exhibited internationally, including at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mulhouse, alongside artists such as Raymond Meeks, Awoiska van der Molen, Bénédicte Blondeau, and Bernard Plossu.Tune in to this episode to:- Explore Nigel’s transition from architecture to photography and how it shaped his artistic voice.- Learn how anxiety fuels his creative process and his thoughts on the connection between mental health and art.- Discover the story behind "Those Eyes, These Eyes, They Fade," a traveling exhibition he co-founded.- Unpack his photographic series "The Sea" and its themes of contradiction and perception.- Hear the fascinating history behind "Pineto," his project documenting a forgotten Maltese park before its erasure.- Get a glimpse into his upcoming solo exhibition in South Korea and what’s next in his career.Don’t Forget to:- Subscribe to the podcast for more deep dives into contemporary photography and creative expression.- Like & Share this episode to support independent artists.- Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.EPISODE LINKS:Nigel Baldacchino’s Website: nigelbaldacchino.com | Nigel’s Instagram: @nigelbaldacchinoOUTLINE:0:00 - Coming Up…1:48 - Welcome & Introduction3:40 - From Architecture to Photography5:05 - Founding Those Eyes, These Eyes, They Fade7:25 - Building Community in the Art World28:19 - The Impact of Mentors & Influences31:29 - How Anxiety Fuels Creativity41:50 - Nigel’s Free-Flowing Approach to Photography58:45 - The Poetic Nature of Nigel’s Photography1:05:35 - Exploring Contradictions in The Sea1:27:29 - Using a 500mm Lens to Capture Hidden Stories1:32:46 - The Erasure of History in Malta’s Pineto Park1:37:10 - First Solo Exhibition in Korea1:38:20 - New Work: Promise Litter1:47:56 - The Role of Text in Photography1:51:48 - Closing Thoughts & Future ProjectsSOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter/X: /UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast#NigelBaldacchino #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #FineArtPhotography #Architecture #AnxietyAndArt #PhotoBooks #CreativeProcess #Urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

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• Ep.#63: The Power & Paradox of Photography – A Conversation with David Campany

  🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #63 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com.In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with the brilliant David Campany, an influential curator, writer, editor, educator, and the Creative Director of the International Center of Photography, New York. Known for his deep insights into photography’s evolving role in contemporary culture, David’s work spans curation, academic writing, and photographic criticism.About Our Guest: David CampanyDavid Campany has worked with some of the most prestigious institutions worldwide, including Tate, MoMA, Centre Pompidou, ICP New York, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and The Photographer’s Gallery London. He has published extensively with Aperture, Steidl, MIT Press, Thames & Hudson, and Phaidon, and has written over 300 essays on photography. His recent curatorial projects include A Trillion Sunsets: A Century of Image Overload, Actual Size! Photography at Life Scale, and the William Klein retrospective Yes at ICP.In this episode, we take a deep dive into photography’s role in visual culture, its relationship with power, and the philosophical questions surrounding its meaning.Tune in to this episode to:- Explore why photography resists a singular definition and how its meaning shifts over time.- Unpack the explosion of images in the digital age—are there really "too many photographs"?- Discuss AI’s role in reshaping visual culture—is AI "perfecting ideology"?- Hear about David’s journey into curation and his experience editing iconic photobooks.- Discover why ambiguity is crucial in art and photography, and how institutions often get it wrong.Don't forget to:- Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on photography, art, and visual culture.- Like & Share to spread the word about this insightful discussion.- Follow us for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming guests.EPISODE LINKS:🔗 David’s Website: www.davidcampany.com📸 David’s Instagram: @davidcampanyOUTLINE:0:00 - Coming Up…2:09 - Introduction & Setting the Stage4:28 - Who is David Campany?6:14 - Photography as an Open Concept8:25 - The Evolution of Photography in Visual Culture11:35 - The Power of Images & Image Manipulation13:38 - Are There Too Many Images in the World?23:12 - AI, Ideology, and the Future of Visual Culture31:44 - David Campany’s Origin Story36:38 - The First Published Photograph & Early Recognition46:53 - Transitioning into Curation1:05:47 - Actual Size: Photography at Life Scale1:18:51 - Ambiguity in Photography & Art1:24:47 - The Role of Writing in Understanding Photography1:29:25 - Photobooks and the Art of Editing1:36:21 - Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts1:40:54 - The Shifting Role of Museums and Institutions1:44:39 - Teaching Photography and Changing Student Perspectives1:49:21 - The Intersection of Photography and Cinema1:52:49 - Why Photographic Meaning is Never Fixed1:56:29 - The Final Take: What Makes Photography Timeless?SOCIAL:🐦 Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast📘 Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast📷 Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast💡 Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast🎧 #DavidCampany #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #VisualCulture #CuratingPhotography #AIinPhotography #ArtandAmbiguity #PhotographyTheory #urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

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• Ep. #62: Ice, Plastic, and Migration - Aleksey Kondratyev’s Photography of Labor

  🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #62 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com.In this captivating episode, we sit down with Aleksey Kondratyev, an artist-photographer whose work explores the intersections of globalization, labor, and identity. From the frozen landscapes of Kazakhstan’s ice fishers to the hidden labor force of American construction workers, Aleksey’s photography brings attention to unseen worlds.About Our Guest: Aleksey KondratyevBorn in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and later immigrating to Detroit, Aleksey’s work is shaped by his personal history of migration and cultural hybridity. He holds an MFA from UCLA and has exhibited internationally at venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art Rome, the Benaki Museum in Athens, and the Berlin Center for Contemporary Art. His projects, including Ice Fishers, Auto, and Worker, have been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Financial Times.Tune in to this episode to:- Explore Aleksey’s journey in photography and how he found his artistic voice.- Learn about the Ice Fishers project, which documents Kazakh fishers using discarded plastic materials as makeshift survival shelters.- Understand the economic and social dynamics behind the global trade of used cars in the Auto project.- Discuss the invisible workforce behind modern cities in his Worker series.- Hear insights on balancing research and intuition in creative work.Don't forget to:- Subscribe to our channel for more episodes diving into the world of art and photography.- Like & Share this episode to support independent photography storytelling.- Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.EPISODE LINKSWebsite: alekseykondratyev.com | Instagram: @aleksey.kondratyevOUTLINE:0:00 - Coming Up..2:21 - Introduction to Aleksey Kondratyev25:37 - Discovering the Ice Fishers project28:30 - The extreme conditions of ice fishing1:13:28 - Transition to Auto: A personal connection1:15:26 - The global trade of wrecked cars1:31:19 - The Worker series: Capturing invisible labor1:33:40 - The role of anonymity in photography1:24:11 - The future of auto shops & changing labor markets1:54:55 - Trusting intuition over research1:53:41 - Final thoughts & advice for young photographersSOCIAL LINKS:🔹 Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast🔹 Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast🔹 Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast🔹 Support us on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast #AlekseyKondratyev #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #DocumentaryPhotography #CentralAsia #PostSovietIdentity #LaborPhotography #ArtisticExploration #Urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

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