Chayan Khoi : Tireless Globe-Trotter
Born in Tehran, Chayan Khoi spent the first part of his life there, before flying to Grenoble (France) in 1979 to study. Already at that time, he was eager to succeed and leave a trace of his passage on earth. Self-taught, he was also born to be an artist. Willing, eager to learn, he first started photography to finance his architectural studies… But very quickly, passion wins over. In turn photojournalist, international reporter or fashion photographer, little by little his style he creates little, find his mark. His desire for more and more leads him to more personal works, and he multiplies traveling around the world. Untiring traveler, he constantly needs to be on the move and to create. Today he is a photographer, painter and video artist, but he defines himself above all as a creator of images in the era of cybernealism (a term derived from cybernetics and realism).
An image hunter and precursor in the field of digital art, Chayan gradually turned, at the dawn of the 21st century, to more traditional and artisanal techniques. In particular, he uses ceramic inks to produce unique creations. He has collaborated with many technicians and artists from various fields. Constantly in search of beauty, he works on his images to create a world of his own, composed of strange landscapes and universal symbols.
His digital works bring together the wonders of nature and world heritage in a single image. He treats his photos as assemblages to make surprising, intimate and very personal travel diaries. True living objects, they transport all those who travel through them. Storyteller, Chayan’s images are poetic, bewitching and translate the most varied emotions inviting you to discover a new reality, a new world.
A whole universe to discover until September 4th at the Joseph Museum 5 rue Saint Merry 75004 Paris.
Website : www.chayankhoi.fr
Instagram : chayankhoi & chayankhoi_art
Your first photographic trigger?
Chayan Khoi : A sunset.
The man or woman in the picture who inspires you?
Chayan Khoi: I am not really inspired by humans (which I rarely photograph) but more by landscapes and animals.
The image you would have liked to make?
Chayan Khoi: Probably a picture of the space and the earth seen from the sky.
The one that moved you the most?
Chayan Khoi : The landscapes of Himalaya which I find extraordinary
The one that made you angry?
Chayan Khoi: The ones that show the destruction of Tibetan temples in China.
A key image in your personal pantheon?
Chayan Khoi: Osho
A photographic memory from your childhood?
Chayan Khoi: The mountain in Tehran I could see every morning when I woke up?
Without any budget limit, what would be the work you would dream of acquiring?
Chayan Khoi: I don’t have that kind of desire. I don’t like to acquire, I prefer to see, that’s enough for me.
According to you, what is the necessary quality to be a good photographer?
Chayan Khoi : Passion of course.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Chayan Khoi: There is no secret for a perfect image. Perfection is abstract. And perfect for whom?
The person you would like to photograph?
Chayan Khoi: I would have loved to photograph the shadow of the Dalai Lama.
The camera of your childhood?
Chayan Khoi: Nikkormat from Nikon.
The one you use today?
Chayan Khoi: I am still loyal to Nikon.
Your favorite drug?
Chayan Khoi: Creating and traveling.
The best way to disconnect for you?
Chayan Khoi: Traveling and reading.
What is your relationship with images?
Chayan Khoi: It’s my drug.
Your greatest quality?
Chayan Khoi : Persevering.
Your last madness ?
Chayan Kho : Going to Iran in the middle of the Covid pandemic
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Chayan Khoi: An image representing water because water is a symbol of money…
The job you would not have liked to do ?
Chayan Khoi: Banker.
Your biggest extravagance ?
Chayan Khoi: My clothing collections, especially coats and bags.
The city, country or culture you dream of discovering?
Chayan Khoi: It’s hard to answer this question. Without pretension, I have traveled around the world so many times, seen so many different places that I have a hard time finding a place that I don’t know yet and that I would like to discover.
The place you never get tired of?
Chayan Khoi: Bali.
Your biggest regret?
Chayan Khoi: I have none.
In terms of social networks, are you rather Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok or Snapchat and why?
Chayan Khoi: I hate them all. I like human and the human contact. The networks have participated in not seeing the people we love anymore.
Color or B&W ?
Chayan Khoi: Two-color. I like the contradiction.
Daylight or artificial light?
Chayan Khoi: It depends on the photos and the situations.
What is, according to you, the most photogenic city?
Chayan Khoi: Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Everything is incredibly beautiful there. The people, the monuments, really everything.
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Chayan Khoi: I don’t take selfies with people, let alone God… if he exists!
If I could organize your ideal dinner, who would be at the table?
Chayan Khoi: My wife and our kids.
The image that represents for you the current state of the world?
Chayan Khoi: An organized mess.
What is missing in today’s world?
Chayan Khoi: Humanity.
If you had to start all over again?
Chayan Khoi: I told you: I have no regrets, I have the best life in the world and I wouldn’t change it if I had to do it all over again.
A last word ?
Chayan Khoi: Life is beautiful.
