Lonely Boys Paradise
by Butu Billikhodze
HeyBoy Exclusive
Lonely Boys Paradise
by Butu Billikhodze
HeyBoy Exclusive
Photographer: Butu Billikhodze
Models: @romeoqebuladze, @Imoleksii, @tnaqandd,
Georgia
Boys, Boys, Boys!
HeyBoy Exclusive
Q) Butu, in “Lonely Boys Paradise,” you capture the male form in nature with striking vulnerability. What is it about the juxtaposition of raw human emotion and untamed landscapes that fascinates you?
A) Depicting the beauty of the male body in the blossom of nature reminds people that we are all a part of, or, if you may, the “children” and the descendants of the same earth. I try to convey the tenderness and beauty that accompany the male body in its natural form.
When it comes to choosing a venue for my shoot, I always aim for locations with minimal human presence, which allows me to both capture the tenderness of the human body and show the vulnerability of our nature when juxtaposed alongside the wilderness of nature.
Still, despite the often brutal conditions depicted in my images, the subjects of my lens always remain comfortable and unite into the oneness of the landscape.
I am particularly drawn to depict my models in more “extreme” conditions, like on the edge of a cliff, by cold water, or on a rocky surface. To me, this is also a kind of metaphor that emphasizes the natural harmony that exists between humans and nature and reminds us about the unmatched power of nature.
Q) In capturing the quiet moments of “Lonely Boys Paradise,” what have you learned about the unspoken languages of your subjects?
A) I always try to get to know my models better. Usually, before the shoot, we have conversations, but it is not a formal interview mode. Rather, it is just a friendly conversation that occurs naturally and is never planned beforehand. There is no limit to the subject of the discussions. We talk about whatever topic comes to our minds. It can be personal life, relationships, politics, and the arts—anything that can help us understand each other better and sense the emotional state of our minds.
Then, as we start the shooting, I have a better sense of how they express their emotions and what hidden feelings they might be carrying within themselves.
Q) Your work has a dreamlike quality, each image a standalone space. If you could step into any one of these universes for a day, which would you choose and why?
A) Well, I am sure I will not catch you by surprise if I say that I have a deep emotional connection with all my works, both the earlier pieces when I would only capture male figures in a domestic setting within the interior space and my more mature work that focuses solely on capturing male bodies in a wild nature and open space.
Naturally, I gravitate more towards the wilderness of nature. I am fascinated by the mere circumstance of being among the mountains and open landscapes. Also, I feel at peace when I am near a body of water, whether it be a river, a lake, or a waterfall. Nature in its wildest form enables me to better reflect my emotional state and my inner peace by expanding my horizons and letting go of negative thoughts.
Q) Nature has its own rhythm and cadence. What soundtrack would you say best accompanies the visual symphony of “Lonely Boys Paradise”?
A) Music plays an integral part in all stages of my work. Whether beforehand or after the photo shoot, I guide my instincts and my mood with the sounds and melodies that come to my head.
My taste in music spans across all different genres, from classical music to jazz to techno music to modern works, but the sound that fascinates me the most is the sound of nature itself.
The overall soundtrack of my work would be the natural sound of nature. The sound of the wind blowing, the falling of the leaves from the trees, and the dropping of splashes of water. I feel as if the natural sound of nature is what accompanies my work in the background. The purity of the unpolished, uninterrupted melody of nature and its everlasting cycle. During the photo shoot, it is usually just myself and the model, and I can always hear the sounds of nature without any distractions from the abundance of human presence. Since the majority of my work is shot in an open landscape close to the waters of Georgia, I am used to hearing the gradual movement of water as I capture the intimacy of the male body and the surrounding nature.
Q) Your lens seems to commune intimately with nature, capturing a rare tranquility. In the spirit of unexpected outcomes, could you describe a moment where nature itself altered the course of your shoot in a surprising way?
A) As I reflect on your question, I cannot help but think of those times when I would go all the way to putting my own life at risk for the sake of capturing the eternal beauty of nature and transforming it into the shape of an art form that then has a life of its own.
One time I went to this mountainous area of Georgia, in the Svaneti region, which is known for its extreme heights of rocks and mountains. While I was capturing the body of my model in nature, we both witnessed the pieces of rock falling down and passing by our bodies. While we were completely aware of the risk that we were taking by going to that location, we could sense as if nature was trying to “initiate a dialogue with us.” As we stood by the edge of a cliff, we felt protected by our surroundings. Not once did we feel fear. By embracing the strength of nature, we felt the invisible strength within ourselves that made us keener to keep going.
A lot of times, it is nature itself that gives me signs and guides me in my work. Sometimes I do not even have a specific concept in mind, and I just randomly find my way to a specific location. Every time I go on a spontaneous shoot, it seems as if nature itself whispers and tells me what to do.
Q) Your work often evokes a sense of solo exploration. When not capturing the solitude of “Lonely Boys Paradise,” what is an activity or place that brings you personal solace and inspiration?
A) If I were to draw a triangle to describe my top three favorite activities for self-exploration and self-reflection, exploring nature would appear at its highest peak.
I am known for my love for hiking, arranging picnics, and exploring new places, some of which have not even been discovered by the general public. Embarking on the journey of becoming one with nature with all its inherent qualities, spanning from the tender flower leaves to the sharpest edges of mountain rocks, is what gives me peace and encourages me to create something new.
Of course there is music, which inspires me, helps me comprehend what is going on around me, and allows me to pair a memory with a specific sound, enhancing the overall experience by making it more distinct and memorable.
And once I have all the above elements in hand, all I need is my camera to capture nature in its essence—the wordly and the unseen, the powerful and the weak. It is therefore a union of nature, music, and my camera that keeps my artistic spirit alive, even when I am experiencing a crisis.
Q) Photography often captures external beauty, but what about the unseen? If you could photograph one emotion or thought that your models experience during your shoots, what would it be and why?
A) I would love to capture unexpected happiness—the first impression that we humans feel when something strikes us by surprise. I specifically refer to the very first mimic expression that we make when finding out about something unexpected that positively shapes our emotions. Right in between the seconds when we witness something or are being told about exciting news, and before we start to logically comprehend what is actually happening, there is this glance of unfiltered emotion that appears on human faces, and that is exactly what I would love to capture on camera one day.
Q) As you delve into the essence of each shoot, what unexpected lesson about human nature have you learned through your photography?
A) All these years that I have been traveling with my camera to the most remote places, all I could think about was how vulnerable and versatile we can be as human beings.
Seeing my models adapt to the constantly changing background has elevated my vision towards our space in the universe. It is a union of more mutually exclusive states of feeling secure and at peace with our surroundings and then suddenly realizing that we are powerless when compared to the strength of nature.
Q) In your series “Lonely Boys Paradise,” you explore powerful themes through your subjects. If you had the chance to blend another art form with your photography to enhance the storytelling, which art form would you choose and why?
A) I believe in the utmost power of every artwork that exists and its unique ability to tell stories in different forms.
My works have been tuned into paintings by other artists numerous times, giving me indescribable fulfillment both personally and professionally. I feel humbled and super proud to know that my work can appear as an inspiration to other artists. Painting, in particular, is a form of art that I have always admired but unfortunately have never had a chance to paint or draw on my own. But seeing someone else get inspired by photographs and turn them into a separate piece of art is a great way of keeping the concept alive through various forms and narratives.
Q) As “Lonely Boys Paradise” leaves an indelible mark on its viewers, what do you hope will linger in their minds long after they’ve seen your photographs?
A) It is very important for me what the viewer will take away from my photographs. Unfortunately, I have not so rarely experienced cases where my work was reduced to the mere physical appearance of the male body. Because of the nudity present in my work, some can only see elements of eroticism and have even accused me of showing pornography. This is a very unfortunate outcome for me, as such reactions limit the deep emotional narrative behind my work.
What I want for my viewers is to experience a sense of peace, tenderness, and lightness when looking at my photographs, whether in physical or virtual form. I am aware that oftentimes my pictures depict such brutal places as the sharp edges of a rock, which may not cause positive emotions at first sight. However, that is why I urge the viewers to look closely and explore how my works actually depict the peaceful coexistence of men and nature, even in its remote wilderness.
My goal is to capture the sense of peace and togetherness experienced by my models during and after the shoot. Apart from showcasing the external aesthetics, I seek to encourage the visitors to delve deep into their inner senses and grasp the ambivalence and “irony” of our human existence, which points out how lonely we can be in this beautiful and powerful world while still feeling in complete harmony with nature.
