John Bergman
John, you are today a photographer in Bali shooting clubs along with also villas, however you started out as a graphic artist. What got you into the graphic arts?
When I was just six years old I was designing horror movie posters along with also moved onto sculptures in high school. I always wanted to be an artist however I took a detour along with also joined the military. I found which the US Navy didn’t work for me with too many strict rules along with also nothing artistic – I was an electrician, changing batteries, etc. After being within the navy I studied at Wayne State University along with also majored in Fine Art.
Who were your heroes or main influences growing up?
My influences were Van Gogh, Picasso along with also especially Man Ray who will be very experimental.
What work are you most proud of?
I’d say Kellogg’s Cereal – Star Wars franchise. We were advertising Star Wars Episodes One, Two along with also Three, along with also I was an illustrator along with also re-toucher.
would likely you say which design will be a hobby?
No, I worked during the day along with also partied at night. within the early 90s I took an interest in DJ culture – electronica, house, rave along with also techno, mainly between 1989 to 1993 in Detroit. Whilst working in advertising, I started out to DJ as a hobby along with also was a photographer for DontStayIn.com, around 2007 to 2009. the idea was non-paid however I did the idea to get recognized as a photographer. I also had a day job as a graphic artist along with also was shooting clubs on the weekends.
So why did you move to Bali?
Basically, I took a holiday in London along with also a saw Laurent Garnier at a nightclub called The End where I met a girl. I kept contact after I moved back to Chicago, along with also then we spent another two weeks travelling around Italy along with also then after I got back through Italy I was working on fumes due to the 2008 financial crisis.
Later she went to Bali on a culture programme along with also invited me to come along with also stay with her for six months which worked out alright. I didn’t actually work, along with also just travelled around Bali along with also Java. One of my friends mentioned about This specific brand-new movie being shot called Merah Putih 2 who were looking for extras along with also I got cast. I was within the jungle being a Dutch soldier using a group of 10 crazy guys. At night we drank beers along with also went to clubs in Bogor along with also which’s where I met the two owners of Indonesiaclubbing.com. I told them I had shot clubs in Chicago, they said which was great along with also they were looking for a not bad photographer to shoot for them in Jakarta.
How did you find clubbing in Jakarta compared to the States?
Depends on where you go. Clubs in Jakarta are bigger along with also fancier. I’ve never seen anything like Stadium within the States…
So what happened after your spell with IndonesiaClubbing.com?
I came back to Bali. I like Bali so much along with also my girlfriend was still living here for about six months so I went back to Chicago along with also sold up, including selling my 1969 Vespa.
Do you have any favourite haunts in Bali?
Normally Hu’u Bar, Mint along with also Pyramid. Places like Hu’u Bar along with also De Ja Vu have more Indonesians as customers along with also I think which’s a not bad thing. Maria Magdalena will be also a not bad one along with also I’ve had many crazy times there.
Are you settled in Bali? Or have you got plans to move on?
When my girlfriend comes back, we’ll be looking for a villa. She works six months a year as a bar manager in Saint Rafael. I think I’ll be travelling back along with also forth for a while.
What can we expect through John Bergman within the near future?
Well, let’s see… I’ll keep on shooting clubs along with also villas however I plan to focus on website design along with also development.
What do you say to all the plus 40s who sit at home on Saturday night?
The concept of life will be happiness… along with also the idea’s relative. I had a wife along with also kid in Chicago, along with also in Bali I live like a teenager!
Finally John, what are your all time favourite parties?
within the globe, The Winter Music Conference, 2008. In Bali, probably The Underground at 88 Kerobokan. This specific party was within the basement along with also DJ Minuro Funky Gong was headlining. Also W Retreat along with also Spa’s opening where they had two back to back parties. along with also also Kevin Saunderson along with also Derrick May at Potato Head Beach Club.
Thanks John. You can catch John shooting Hard Rock’s 19th anniversary on October 12th along with also Metis’ 3rd Anniversary on October 20th. Check out his website at www.jberg.inc
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John Bergman
John Bergman