SPOTLIGHT: MARKUS BOLLINGMO

Photograph: Markus Bollingmo

With vibrant images that reflect a new generation free from the constraints of the past, this 26-year-old Norwegian is having fun in Gay Paris. And wants you to watch...

Where are you truly at home?
Both Trondheim in Norway and Paris, where I’m now based. I love Paris for the volume of people who pass through. And I now have close friends here I could never go on without.

When did you begin taking photographs?
I bought a compact digital camera for a trip to California a few years ago. At first it was all regular holiday and party pictures, but I gradually started playing around, being more creative. The boys in my pictures are still mostly lovers and friends, people in my life.

How would you define your style?
The curator of a show I was in described it as a mix of fashion and art. In fashion I am a little bit obsessed with beauty and perfection, but it would be boring for me if it just stopped there.

Do you feel connected with any homoerotic image makers of the past?
Not much. Most of them were so connected to gay or alternative culture, and I don’t identify much with that. I just know a beautiful boy inspires me.

You often feature in your own work, why?
There is some exhibitionism I guess, but also there are practical reasons. I don’t have to worry about communication with the model when it is all going on in my head.

You seem to live out much of your private life on the Internet and in your images. Is this a statement, or simply how you naturally interact with the digital world?
I share some very private things, but there are others that I keep to myself. It just feels natural to me. In terms of sex, I think the world will be more open in the future. At least I hope so. People should relax and not make scandals every time sex is mentioned.

You have become quite the global Internet celebrity. How does this impact upon your life?
It’s great! So many people are showing me appreciation and support. Fame itself is not a goal for me though. Famous people don’t seem that much more happy than the rest of us.

You have experimented with moving image, such as in the beautiful ‘3am’. Will you take this further?
I don’t have any plans to, I’m just playing around. It is always nice to have the result, but editing movies is a pain in the arse. Right now my big interest is to learn more about shooting and developing with film (as opposed to digital). Long-term, I really don’t know. I’m terrible at planning things.

Your photographs express a joyful, youthful gay utopia. Is this your experience of 21st century gay life?
I feel very happy and lucky, and it is usually my life that inspires me and the photos. I also love making people imagine about it through my photos. I will let you keep on wondering.

markusbollingmo.com