Norm Yip Interview

The appeal of Asians have been on the rise in recent times and so has the search been got photography that captures this niche market interest. THE ASAIN MALE is Norm Yip's first publication featuring a studding collection of male images that were taken over a period of five years from 2000 - 2004.

What made you decide to reside in Hong Kong Sar?
I moved to Hong Kong in November 1994. A friend of mine who studied architecture in Toronto with me had moved here about a year and a half prior to me. She convinced me that Hong Kong was a great opportunity for work. I took the plunge, even though I had never been here before, and found an architecture position in less than 2 weeks.

Can you elaborate on your company's name 'Studio 8 Hong Kong Publishing Limited'? Any significance?
Studio 8 is actually the name I gave to my rather oversized apartment in Sheung Wan. Oversized by the fact that it's two units in one and suitable both an office, studio and home - rather ideal! I'm located on the 8 th floor of the building and I thought, why not use it as the name of my studio; hence, Studio 8 was born.

What form of assistance did you get to start this business venture with?
I had to dip into savings to make it through. Not easy, as it's what one would call a nest egg. But the way I see it, money that is not used productively is dead or wasted; I saw this as putting my money to good use for something I believed in.

How do you determine 'good' or 'artistic' photography?
Let me rephrase that: What makes a photograph good from an artistic standpoint? A good photograph is timeless. It is a pure expression of the Spirit. It must speak something to you; it must evoke an emotional response. A good photograph needs nothing else to describe itself: it must be able to stand on it's own without commentary and be able to move you.

What triggers your creativity to begin 'The Asian Male'?
I did not begin this project with the idea of creating ‘The Asian Male’ photo book. It began with the desire of photographing the male nude artistically. The book came later after putting up images of the guys onto my website and getting favorable responses from friends (and strangers).

What genre is 'The Asian Male' when it is compared to other ethnic groups and which you place a strong emphasis in publishing this book?
The Asian Male is a photographic exploration of the Asian male from an artistic perspective, whereby all the elements of lighting, texture, form, composition, emotion and beauty all come into play. Of course, it will appeal to a large gay market, simply because it has the male form in it. As for how it compares to other ethnic groups, I think that Asian male have an exotic beauty that is indescribable. And that indescribable quality is what I want to capture in the photography.

How do you juxtapose the difference in your photography of these naked men between art and pornography?
There is a fine line between art and photography. As mentioned before, art is about lighting, texture, form, etc. Pornography is about sex. In The Asian Male, there are a few photographs of two guys embracing one another. It is not a photograph about sex, but of the embrace. Erotic yes, but even a tomato can be erotic if photographed artistically!

Will there be a series of the photobook like a collection or other publication(s) in your scheme of things? Any variation(s)?
Yes, I am working on the second edition of ‘The Asian Male’ or 2.AM. (Note that this first edition is 1.AM). It will contain some new models and also include some previous ones. No variation however; I have not exhausted what I have begun in 1.AM.

What is your entrepreneurial objective(s) in the next five years?
I remember I asked that question when I was reading books on making goals. Now, I can honestly say I have never planned anything beyond a year or two. I make decisions as they go and feel things out, with an aim to finish things by a certain time.

What is it that you wish to share with all your readers and that they can benefit from it through your art and photography?
I believe that the art that I create is about Spirit, whether it be my paintings, drawings or photography. In painting, it is an expression of inner emotions that deal with fear, loneliness, elation, bliss and joy. In drawing, it is an exploration of my philosophical thinking and intellectual discourse in dealings with Life and Death, Awareness and Existence. In photography, it is an expression of Beauty, Truth and Love. I realized that my art, long ago, is not just for the sake of self-gratification, but also about sharing one’s own experiences to edify another.