‘Brought to Light’ – Mobile Photography / Art Interview with Armineh Hovanesian from California, USA
Our ‘Brought to Light‘ interview section explores the mobile photographers and mobile artists behind their art. Each question has been carefully crafted and is designed to allow us to get to know them a little more intimately. To view others that we have published in this series, please go here.
Today, we are featuring Armineh Hovanesian from Glendale, California, USA. There is a lot I could say about Hovanesian and I will. Hovanesian has been a loyal supporter, follower and contributor to TheAppWhisperer since our inception, she’s also a good friend, which is a bonus (for me). It was her art though, that attracted me first to Hovanesian and there’s a reason for that. She is one of Mobile Photography’s most influential artists, totally obssessed with the process of making art and as a result, it stands apart. She has reinvented self portraiture through mobile art, she is a mobile artist’s artist and her reputation continues to grow.
There’s a deeply feminine and feminist identity to her images, an exploration of her own femininity and themes of transformation and metamorphosis seem significant. There’s a book, authored by Erving Hoffman entitled “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”, it details the ways we all have “front-stage and backstage personalities, that we perform all the time, when we walk down the street, when we go into a shop. And when we are behind closed doors we go into a bit of a slump”. With this in mind, I can see that Hovanesian is a performer, one whose work is deep and heavy weight. I am not convinced that Hovanesian sees her portraiture as therapeutic, as such or even particularly voyeuristic. Hovanesian is not a full time artist, yet, her path to becoming an artist could be seen as painful and hard but it is balanced within her self portraiture, her vast output reflects a deeply considered creative process, focused on intuition and improvisation. Hovanesian’s boundless artistry explodes in all directions and we want more.
This body of work drew us to Armineh Hovanesian
All photos ©Armineh Hovanesian
Describe a moment that changed your life
The birth of my daughter was the biggest life changing moment for me. To this day, sometimes when I look at her I still can’t believe that this amazing human being is my daughter.
Describe a childhood photographic/art memory
I have been very fortunate to have had the pleasure of growing up behind and on the wings of theater and opera stages, thanks to my grandmother and aunt. One of the distinct memories I have is the smell of paint on stage decors and the color teal which was used for Turandot’s opera sets.
Describe a childhood photographic/art memory
My mobile studio is comprised on my iPhone6 and my iPad. I still do my edits on my phone however since eyesight has been diminishing throughout the years, sometimes I end up using my iPad for edits.
What do you like to think about whilst you are creating images
Depending on the photo I’m working on, I tend to place myself in the photo and observe the changes around me as I edit.
Share one photo tip
Big Photo! As all of us are aware, when using various apps for effects, the saved files tend to get smaller and smaller in size. Big Photo is one of my most go to applications to resize my photo so it is “print worthy”.
Who or what ignited your passion for mobile photography
I fell in love with mobile photography with my LG Xenon phone. For the first time I was able to use a tiny device to take photographs. Then I got my first iPhone (an iPhone3) and the rest is history.
What is the most unusual subject you have photographed
Myself! It’s been a challenge and an eye-opening experience. One of my best therapy sessions are when I have a self-portrait project in the works.
What are your favourite accessories for mobile photography
My Muku Shuttr, my mini studio (which is in storage at the moment) and my waterproof case.
Describe your dream Photography assignment
I have two dream assignments. I would love to be able to photograph the bands, musicians or dancers that I love and admire. I would love to tour with them and capture the moments. I would love to travel the world and photograph people and places.
Contact Details
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
