Studio Visit with Rainer Hosch - Episode 01

A celebrated portraitist, Hosch has spent the last three decades capturing iconic faces of popular culture.  We discuss his photography practice and his smashing debut on the blockchain. 

To kick off the inaugural episode of That's A. Podcast, A. Moret visits the studio of longtime friend, and collaborator Rainer Hosch. 

Less than 50 feet separate Hosch's photo studio and Installation Magazine headquarters and Gallery at the Barker Hangar.  Stepping inside Hosch's studio we are greeted by the faces of Bernardo Bertolucci, Jeffrey Bell, Iggy Pop, George Carlin, and Sir Michael Caine, each captured in Hosch's signature black and white ring flash portraiture setup.  The 30 x 40" prints line the back wall while an array of cassette mixtapes from Hosch's early days in his native Vienna wait their turn to play on the Hi-Fi- that is of course if a record isn't already spinning. 

Seated on an orange velvet couch that perfectly frames a beachscape from his series "Topanga Beach," we talk about the evolution and refinement of his style as a portraitist and the development of his artistic practice.

May 2, 2022, is a significant day for Hosch as it marks the conclusion of his NFT Genesis project titled, "52icons," a curation of 52 portraits taken over the span of nearly three decades.  Capturing faces that illuminate the world of art, design, music, business, politics, sports, and entertainment, the project has fostered an international community of collectors who have diligently followed Hosch each day on Twitter, waiting to solve a riddle in hopes of winning an unrevealed icon. 

Inspired by his late father, Heinz Hosch, the original icon, "52icons" has forever changed the face of photography on the blockchain.  Known as "The Man with the Camera," Hosch steps out from behind the lens and reveals the story that inspired the Genesis series. 

"I was 11 when my father died. From the early days in his photo darkroom, I learned that photography is all about creating connections. My father Heinz Hosch was my icon. A photojournalist, brave and without fear, a world traveler, risking his life at many front lines, from Vietnam to Western Africa, always there to capture the one photo that told the story. He was my first teacher and I lost him at the age of 52. He was not killed in these wars but in the end, I believe it was the wars that killed him. On March 11th, I was able to celebrate my 52nd birthday, the age he was when he so unexpectedly passed away in 1981. This is when I made a decision that would change the course of my life: I would keep his cameras, become a photographer, and continue his legacy. “52icons” is a personal collection of 1/1 portraits (plus X Iggys)that capture some of the most famous faces of our time, including my father, forever in my heart and now forever living on the blockchain. Thank you, Vati, my icon."

Follow Rainer Hosch,  "The Man with the Camera"

Website: https://www.rainerhosch.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rainerhosch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainerhosch/


Get in touch with A. Moret

Read Installation Magazine:  www.installationmag.com
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Email: info@installationmedia.com 

That's A... wrap!