Blue Mitchell

by Michael Van der Tol

Here at 15×100 we’re all very proud of Blue Mitchell and his recent launch of Diffusion – a magazine dedicated to unconventional photographic processes and photo related artwork. I caught up with “Blue”, the Editor of Diffusion last week and got a chance to ask him more about the exciting new venture.

Q: Tell us more about your background?

I hold a BFA from the Oregon College of Art & Craft where I was exposed to a variety of alternative processes and was encouraged to push the art of craft in photography to higher level. Not only did this help me find my artistic voice but it also exposed me a world of photography I only read about in history books.  My personal photographic influences are primarily from photographers that work in mixed media photography in one aspect or another.  A few specific influences include The Starn Twins, Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison, & Tuen Hocks, all of which use mixed media techniques like painting or collage to create their images.  This approach to photography has also inspired me to appreciate and promote like-minded artists in curatorial projects like Plates to Pixels Gallery & Diffusion magazine.

Q: What was the genesis for the magazine?

The genesis question is probably best answered in my Letter from the Editor section of the magazine:

“It seems every week I learn of a newspaper or magazine that is going under, most likely due to increased reliance on the internet, coupled with current economic problems. Unfortunately, I am probably part of the problem. Outside of public radio in the morning, I turn to the internet for my daily news. The internet also hosts a plethora of art related resources, making art appreciation more accessible. I do however find myself annoyed with the limitations of this online art world. To me photography is visceral. It can not be bound by a monitor and mouse clicks – it is best showcased in a tangible form. Don’t get me wrong, I have immensely enjoyed curating for the virtual gallery platestopixels.com. This magazine would probably not be possible without my experiences and the outstanding response to the Plates to Pixels gallery. The main problem I have come across in the online world of art is that would like to have hard-copies of magazines, books and images that I can grasp with my fingers.

Diffusion is born out of a longing to create something palpable as well as enticing, educational, and hopefully entertaining. I have a keen interest as an artist – and art consumer – in photographers that push the boundaries and limitations of traditional photographic processes. Although I surround myself with artwork from photographers that push these boundaries, I have discovered, outside of physical exhibitions and online, that this type of photographic work is underrepresented in the modern photography print magazine.”

Q: Diffusion is about “Unconventional Photography”, can you explain what you mean? How is Diffusion different from other photographic arts magazines?

That is a good question.  When I first embarked on this project, aside from the reasons mentioned above, I wanted Diffusion to bring something unique to the table.  Simply put, the content will focus mainly on artists working in the (loosely defined) “alternative processes” as well as other innovative techniques using mixed media, collage, etc. There is no limit to what types of photography you will find in Diffusion but we intend to feature work that implements a high level of craft, whether it be in the picture making, post process, or print making.  I can tell you though that you probably won’t find the same content as featured in commercial photography magazines or the honorable fine art magazines like Black & White, Focus, Lenswork, Photographer’s Forum, or the like.

Furthermore, in the modern fine art photography market, there has been a resurgence of the previously mentioned archaic processes mixed with new digital techniques – we aim to produce a magazine that coincides with this exciting evolution.

Q: Where would you like to take the new venture? Tell us what’s planned for future issues of the magazine.

I view Diffusion less like a magazine and more like an ongoing art project.  At this time we will not be a subscription magazine, first off it’s an annual and most subscriptions are yearly.  Secondly, we will be producing special editions of Diffusion in different print formats, theme focus, and design.  For example our first tentative special edition will be designed much like a juried group show (not necessarily limited to photographic arts).  Think of it as an exhibition in print form, similar to a catalog produced for a gallery exhibit.  These special editions differ from the Diffusion annual which will remain in the traditional magazine format.

The 2010 issue will have more process articles, more artist profiles with Interviews, book reviews, and a group showcase (theme: elements).  I expect the second issue to almost double in size.  The largest ambition of Diffusion is to showcase emerging artists alongside more accomplished artists – all of which using a high level of craft in their work.

Q: Launching a magazine in a positive economic climate is challenging enough, so what made you reveal Diffusion during this financial down-turn?

The best way for me to answer is to quote Marcus Aurelius:  “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Followed by a quote from H. Jackson Browne “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.”  However vague that may seem, I try not to live in fear, it is a human mental construct (an emotive state)…it is not real.

Q: How will you measure the success of this new venture?

To me the fact that the first issue is now out is a huge success!   To further measure the triumph of such an adventure, I’m patiently awaiting for reader reviews and feedback – even more importantly, I’m excited to the launch our special editions and start work on the 2010 issue.

Q: Where can we get Diffusion?

You can find Diffusion online at diffusionmag.com (see digital preview) as well as alternativephotography.com where you can read a sample article (Tina Maas interview) from the first issue.  Physical locations will be updated on the diffusionmag.com website once they’ve been solidified.

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