Drasko Bogdanovic: In Flagranti Male Erotica

capurroantonio@gmail.com

Serbian-Canadian photographer Drasko Bogdanovic is a man of many talents. When young, he emigrated from Europe with his family to start a new life in Canada.  This move opened the doors of a new beginning and he found the passion of his life: photography.

He never gave up his dreams, and today his landscape and architecture photography captures a city’s geometry and abstractions.  But if there a subject he loves most, it is male beauty.

His provocative nude and erotic photography continues to drive this bright young arrival to the forefront of the Canadian Art scene.  It continues to push his machine, medium, techniques, models and materials to new limits.

His name and images are among the top of the nude and erotic art genres. His photography has appeared in domestic newspapers and magazines and his work has been exhibited locally and internationally. Drasko’s collection of the male form is amazing. In Flagranti, is his ultimate exhibition and as the name suggests, it represents the body of work you might find if you broke into a bedside drawer, not an art museum.  Either way, this new collection of work is one to be showcased.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Drasko about his art.

We are conduting this interview in the middle of an ice storm for you in Toronto Canada.  Was the winter season in Serbia like this?

Winter are similar there, lots of snow but winters are not as long and as harsh and definitely no arctic winds.

You were born in Serbia; do you miss your country very much?

I’m Serbian, but I was born in Sarajevo, but I feel Canadian. Now I can say I miss the climate, haha. I miss some of that culture, relaxed social environment and pleasure people take in it. Friendliness of the people in Balkans is amazing

How old were you when emigrated? Why did you decided to move to Canada?

I was 18 when I came to Canada. Conflict and war in Sarajevo brought me here. Canada is very welcoming country, everybody came from somewhere and with all the opportunities here it would be hard not to feel Canadian.

Did you move with your family?

Yes, my family is in Canada too.

Was it easy for you to adopt a new culture? What was the most difficult for you?

There is a large Serbian community in the area, so in the first few years I spent lots of time with people that emigrated from the region. I knew English before I came here, so transition was not as difficult.

You had early fascination with the Hollywood magazines, black & white photographs and the glamorous aesthetic.  When did you discover you wanted to be a photographer?

I was always interested in visual arts even thou I studied music. I was always painting and taking pictures. There is something about the immediacy of photography that grabbed me. The fact that it captures reality but ability to blend it with fantasy is incredible. After taking pictures for my landscapes, I realized some of those would look just as good in print and as photographs.

The photographers always want to keep the moment and show their own viewpoint of reality. In your case, your subjects are landscape, architecture and nudes. How do you develop your projects or just you take your cam and start shooting?

Landscapes or architecture work can create mood, but nudes are more intimate part of my work, and I find pleasure in capturing personality and character of men I photograph. I always have several projects developing at the same time – right I’m working on a series of abstract images, but I also have some ideas for the nudes and erotica. I can’t limit myself to one style of photography.

What do you like most about nudes and erotica?

I really like the sensual and tension of erotica, taboos that it touches, reaction that it creates. I somehow got a hold of De Sade’s books when I was little. Maybe that was the factor! haha

What were your fantasies when you were younger? When did you discover you were gay?

I know very early that I was gay and attracted to same sex. I got into trouble with other boys for that.

Tell us about it; was your coming out process easy? Did you have support?

I guess my parents ignored that for a while, but environment there, in the Balkans, was never tolerant toward gays so I came out when I came to Canada. I wish there were some gay support groups in Sarajevo. Not sure if they have them now either.

You live in a country that allowed you to have rights as gay and even to get married and to have children.

Yes, Canada is a tolerant place and rights of individuals are respected. It is hard to understand why some places; even USA won’t allow those human rights to their own citizens.

What was the reaction of your parents when you told them you are gay and who was the first person that knew about your sexual orientation?

They were upset and they still don’t approve my choice of partner and ‘lifestyle’ I have. I came out to my friends and few relatives first, but there were some boys I fooled around with so I guess they knew it first, haha.

But your parents should be proud to have a talented photographer as son. Do they know about your art? Have they visited the exposition of your work in galleries?

I’m sure they will come around to that.  They know what I do, but I don’t invite them to exhibitions that show some of my more explicit stuff.

Your nude and erotica work gives off a high sexual tension, how do you work with the models? Do you have castings or auditions?

Friends recommend me models and some guys contact me directly through my website. Sometimes I put and ad if I’m looking for particular look.

What is your photo shoot process like? Do you talk them? Do you give them instructions?

I come up with a certain concept before the shoot. Then I explain it to the guy and make sure he knows how to express what I want to capture. I often get some ideas from the models so it can be collaboration. I would never photograph a guy in a situation that I don’t want to be in.

Do you prefer to work with gay or straight guys? Is it easy for them to become erect when photographed?

Straight guys I worked with are very open and never had problem showing hard-ons. Gay models are shy and have some issues. Isn’t it interesting the way it works?

It is very interesting.

We all explore that side, it is natural and guys know it …Straight guys get turned on by gays watching them, gays like to watch straight guys…

I know you are a professional, but have you ever had fantasies or reactions when shooting on them?

Photo shoots can be very sexually charged, and I work with make-up artist or just by myself, so it is an intimate situation, but I do my job and models do their part.  Sorry to disappoint you! Nothing happened.

Lately, nude males and male erotica has been more accepted, especially with all the calendars and books containing this art, but in some way people still have issues seeing a full frontal male. Your art is delicious and tasteful, an invitation to explore undiscovered feelings and emotions and to reveal the hidden fantasies. According to you where is the line between erotica and porn?

Erotica stimulates while porn gratifies. In a society we are so saturated with sexual images, it is everywhere and that line between ‘too much’ and ’snow me more’ is getting blurrier. I even find we are going backwards when it comes to accepting nudity, especially male nudity.  We won’t see any male stars stepping out of the limousine with his fly open anytime soon. haha

But male nudity is becoming to be more accepted it because the stimulation of the erotica and sexual images. We can see it in the advertisements.

Straight guys are accepting male beauty; they appreciate physique, not so much looking at erections. Advertising plays on insecurities people have with sexuality, and image.

Some of the gay artists I interviewed didn’t have any issue being called “gay out” artists.  Do you mind, or do you feel labeled?

I am gay artist and don’t mind being called that!

Your art has been featured on many web sites, reviews and exposition galleries.  How do you feel with art being displayed?

One of the most interesting shows I participated was First Queer Sarajevo Festival and when art is used to open some taboos and bring out the discussions in the society that is great.

Wat was the public reaction to the First Queer Sarajevo Festival held recently In Fraganti?

Sarajevo was a riot! Violence erupted and it was strange that art festival could cause so much controversy there. ‘In Flagranti’ had a great opening, people loved it, thou some magazines find it was a bit ‘too much’ for print. Toronto likes erotica. It is only human to explore sex, to enjoy our bodies…

Have you ever wanted to publish your photos in a book?

I’m planning on publishing some of my work; I have some ideas for a new show and then possibly a book.

What do you do when you are not taking photos or developing a new project? What do you do to for fun and relaxation?

I enjoy Toronto, I cook and I like to see a good movie but good massage always relaxes me haha

What is your major ambition as a photographer?

I like to have a book published for now, and then a retrospective one day, joking for that second part. I still have a few more decades till some retrospective

Would we see your art involved in some political causes?

In Canada there is not much more to tackle when it comes to that, we have achieved our equality, but Balkans, rest of the world, has so much so fight for and if my art can help to bring out the voice and show presence, I’ll be there.

What advice could you offer to young gay artists trying to develop their talent?

Be yourself! Find your voice, have your style and don’t give up. It is difficult but it is worth it.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Be inspired, make sure your voice is heard and tolerate one another!

SHOOTING DETAILS

Would you like to get married?

Yes, I like with my partner and we might get married

How do you make a relationship between 2 men work?

Honesty and communication is the key in any relationship

Would you pose naked if someone asks you?

Of course! Did it before, will do it again.

Did you get a hard on?

Haha, depends on the photographer!

When is a photo good for you?

Some magic happens when the light and all the components in the picture fall just right. You can just feel it.

What is your concept of male beauty?

It is confidence in being who you are and comfortable in your skin. Of course some athleticism helps.

You are in a relationship, but I would like to ask, do you have a vision of an ideal man?

I don’t have an ideal man anymore, I found one!

How long have you guys been together? What are you able to do and not to do to make your relationship work?

We are together now for 4 years and we make sure we communicate all the issues we may have

What has been the most difficult in these years?

I never had a difficult year yet. You just have to understand that relationship can change and embrace that. It evolves and gets better with time if you expect it.

If you are the only survivor in an island and have the chance to carry only three things, what would they be?

A tent, a knife, and a satellite phone.

What kind of porn do you like?

Straight and gay porn from 70’s and 80’s.

With what famous artist would you like to have a night of love?

Joe D’Allesandro when he was young.

What are your favorite books, food and movies?

When it comes to that my taste changes all the time.

What are you afraid of?

Fear is the most crippling of emotions.

What is the worst thing you’ve heard when it comes to your work?

That’s great but comeback another time.

What is the best and the worst of your personality?

Brutally honest but can be tempered as well.

What can you put in a bad mood? What makes you smile?

I hate violence. Laughter makes me smile.

Is there something that make you scream?

Closed-minded people.

What is the best lesson that you have learned about life?

You are free to love and to chose.

Do you live thinking about the future or do you like to live the present?

I enjoy present, but plan for the future.

If you die and come back reincarnated, would you want to be the same person or who or what would you like to be?

I’d probably be me.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?

Harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding.

What quality do you most like in a man?

Honesty, intelligence, trust.

What don’t you like to see in the world?

I hate violence!

What would you like to hear from GOD when you arrive to the sky?

Welcome, I’ve been expecting you!

Check out more from Drasko Bogdanovic by clicking here!