12:
Lin Mei
Ceramics
Photos from @meiceramics
April 2023
Here is a conversation with Zoie Kasper a photographer from Seattle. At the end of last year, I attended a VSCO Creator Session with Zoie. The way she works with flash photography to capture dreamy scenes was inspirational.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in China and came to the States when I was 5. I spent most of my life in Atlanta before I moved up to New York.
How did you get into pottery? Was it to escape the stressful product designer world?
I’ve always been interested in pottery but didn’t have an opportunity to try it growing up. My background was industrial design before I shifted into product design. After so many years of designing digitally, I had come to really miss creating physical things so I decided to take a class and was hooked instantly.
In three words how would you describe Mei Ceramics?
“In the moment.” There’s no plan – I just make whatever I feel at that moment.
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I want it to be ethereal or even surreal at times.
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How do you find inspiration and stay creative?
Sounds cliché but I’m inspired by nature and my travels. Pebbles along Californian beaches inspired a set of bowls I made last year and the colors and textures of a new place inspire my glazes.
Name two creatives in any industry that inspire you?
The artist duo of Studio DRIFT (Lonneke Gordijn & Ralph Nauta) and choreographer and acrobat Yoann Bourgeois
During your creative, entrepreneurial journey what would you have done differently, if any?
I probably would have prioritized my interests and started earlier but I try to avoid dwelling in “shoulda’s”
Every year, I look back at my work and reflect on the journey, sometimes going years back. I often cringe at some of my designs! If you did the same, what job would make you say? "Man, what was I thinking."
How introspective of you! I would probably cringe at all of them so I typically try to erase memories of my past work from my brain haha
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What do your photos say?
Well, for me personally, my pictures document a memory. I’m a nostalgic person. It sounds corny, maybe but I want to collect these moments so that I have something to look back on. My photos are a way for me to express myself and helps me to find purpose.
I want my photos to feel like a small meditative moment or even an escape from reality.
You've been using VSCO photo editor for some time now. What are you go to presets?
My favorite preset is KCP2, but I use the editor more often. My favorite tool is the skew tool, hands down.
Where was the last place you went on holiday?
The last place was the Azores, a group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic. Very beautiful, green, and lush.
Now that we're a 1/4 into 2023, what are you most proud of in 2022?
I am really proud of my VSCO session because I am scared of public speaking, and I faced my fears, and it actually ended up being fun
What would you be doing if you weren't a photographer, and why?
I would hopefully be a painter or potter because I love doing both and wish I had more hands and all the time to do them all!
Now, here are some quick-fire questions. Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Morning person or night owl?
Night owl
Rotterdam or Amsterdam?
I love living in Rotterdam. But every time I visit Amsterdam it feels like magic
Disposable camera or Polaroid?
Difficult to choose but I will go with disposable camera.
City or Country?
Living in the city but taking a vacation in the country
Red or white wine?
Red for winter and cold, white for summer
Telfar or Pyer Moss?
Respect to Pyer moss but I’m gonna have to go with Telfar
Hasselblad or Leica?
Hasselblad, although I haven’t shot either but would love to get my hands on a Hasselblad one day
Film or digital?
FILM
Lastly, finish the sentence. "2023 is turning out to be...”
…10/10
Zoie’s commercial sneaker work is also dope! Check out her website. And follow her on Instagram @zoiekasper
Cheers mates!