Between dream and fantasy
Born in Sao Paulo, Cássio Vasconcellos began his career in the 1980s. After starting out as a photojournalist, and in parallel with his reportages and advertising assignments, this aerial photography enthusiast gradually oriented his work towards a more artistic approach. If he is inspired by reality, his personal work gives birth to often stunning images that tell imaginary and fictitious stories leaving free rein to the interpretation of each one but also questioning the perception of reality of the spectator.
His work also highlights the excessive consumerism of today’s society, the abundance of waste that floods our ultra modern world, the often useless objects that have become emblematic of our culture. However, he also explores the infinite beauty of nature. His images of the untamed Brazilian jungles, depicting the fragility and diversity of tropical ecosystems, are just sublime. The lights and details reinforce the bewitching character that emanates from these atmospheres and give his images a relevant power. And above all, they force us to think seriously about the future of our overly industrialized and increasingly dehumanized society.
Website: cassiovasconcellos.com
Instagram : cassiovasconcellos
Represented in Paris by: gadcollection.com
Your first photographic click ?
Cassio Vasconcellos : My first photo was when I was 7 years old, on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, when I bought a Kodak Instamatic X177 camera.
The man of images who inspires you?
Cassio Vasconcellos : I didn’t understand this question !
The image you would have liked to make?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Satiric Dancer, from André Kertész.
The one that moved you the most?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Dovima with Elephants, Richard Avedon.
And the one that made you angry ?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Any photo I see of the current president of Brazil, of whom I prefer not to mention the name.
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Hyères, 1932, Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The quality needed to be a good photographer?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Curiosity.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Follow the intuition.
The person you would dream of photographing?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Billie Holiday.
An essential photo book?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Amazonia, by Claudia Andujar and George Love.
The camera of your beginnings?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Kodak Instamatic X177 and Pentax SP 1000.
The one you use today?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Canon.
Your favorite drug?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Music and wine.
The best way to disconnect for you?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Fly.
Your greatest quality?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Determinate.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Cassio Vasconcellos : A tree
The job you would not have liked to do?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Bureaucratic work.
Your greatest extravagance as a photographer?
Cassio Vasconcellos : My current work, an image I’ve been building for over a year, measuring 3 x 12 meters. Or more…
The values you wish to share through your images?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Importance of trees and forests.
The city, country or culture you dream of discovering?
Cassio Vasconcellos : China.
The place you never get tired of?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Mountains.
Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok or snapchat?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Instagram.
Color or B&W?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Both.
Daylight or artificial light?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Daylight.
The most photogenic city according to you ?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Rio de Janeiro from above.
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Cassio Vasconcellos : To pose.
What is missing in today’s world?
Cassio Vasconcellos : More respect for other people and the environment.
And if everything was to be remade?
Cassio Vasconcellos : Thinking about planet Earth, it wouldn’t change anything, it’s already extraordinarily Beautiful.
