San Fran Voice

S.N. Jacobson is a photographer who pushes the edges of commercial work to create art that is both controversial and creative.  Commissioned photos take personal fantasies and turn them into reality while personal projects toe the edges of what is acceptable when fantasy is turned into art.  SFV was lucky to catch up with S.N. Jacobson for a quick interview about being an artist in this city that loves to accept such boundary-pushers. 

What can you tell us about the basics of your artwork? The people I most like to work with not only see themselves as the star in some elaborate movie but are also hearing the soundtrack to the movie of their lives. My ideal is to take that self-image (however bizarre or unusual) and become the cameraman, producer and director for the movie of the self. I work with people to produce a plausible image that satisfies us both, trying not to destroy any of that fantasy that makes up their personal movie. 

Would you say that your photos are controversial? To some  … I feel you sometimes have to shock people with your concepts and/or images long enough so that they will take the time to look at the photo for longer than the average 1.3 seconds. Nothing bothers me more then someone looking at my work as if it was the phone book or some other bland reading material.

Where can we see your current work?  If you hurry (since it’s coming down next week), I have some work up at Stormy Leather in the city.  I have a number of projects going online that you can check out including: http://snjacobson.com/Fifteen.htm and http://www.baldwinsculptor.com/index.htm (in the latter, I’m working to capture other artists’ work).  

How does the city inspire or affect your art work? I feel a lot of my work would never come to light in any other city than San Francisco.

What do you think the average visitor to San Francisco should know about the art scene here? If you don’t find it here you’re not looking hard enough. 

Do you have a favorite gallery in San Francisco? No, but I’m open to work with any that are willing to take a chance with me.  I don’t get to the city as much as I’d like. I’m just far enough out of the mainstream.  But, I’m interested in sharing my work. 

What advice do you have for emerging artists? Do not let people tell you what you like or convince you to tone down your work because it may bother someone.  If I had allowed that in my life, I’d be photographing weddings and bar mitzvahs instead of doing the work that I love.