Shoot Portraits Not People | A Jason Siegel Project

Jason Siegel is an accomplished lifestyle, music and fashion photographer whose controversial art installation “Shoot Portraits, Not People” is set for debut in Aspen on Friday January 13th at The BLK MKT gallery. This creative and provocative exhibit is Siegel's first non-photography based art project and displays photographic equipment built into high-powered weaponry, offering a look into the idea behind shooting portraits, not people.



The artful gesture of mixing tool and technique is evident in the creative process it takes to build the “guns,” from start to finish using hand-picked camera equipment as the source. This undertaking wouldn’t be possible without Denver based metal sculptor Keith D’Angelo, who Siegel connected with in order to make this project come to life.


“Shoot Portraits, Not People” moves beyond the elements of still photography and captures the archetype of both guns and cameras as universally recognized symbols of provocateur. The display of one of a kind custom camera weaponry will be accompanied by other military themed accessories that creates an interactive and immersive installation.


The attention to detail is impeccable with each gun being constructed by hand-picked parts chosen from over 200 pounds of camera parts specifically sourced for this project.

"When I'm taking photos, I'm mostly pressing buttons whether it's behind the camera or behind the computer. This project has allowed me to go beyond my creative borders and create something that has no boundaries and yet is totally unique," Siegel says.

Opening night of "Shoot Portraits, Not People," will take place at The BLK MKT gallery in Aspen, Colorado on January 13th and will be open only through the month of January including during the X-Games.

Each handcrafted piece and the military-themed accessories will be available for purchase on site as well as prints of each "gun."

6/9 Excited to be a part of @blkmktaspen this month with the release of my first non-photographic art project, "Shoot Portraits Not People". A project in which I've transformed camera equipment into molds of high powered weaponry and military paraphernalia. Come see the project in person in Aspen at @blkmktaspen starting this Friday the 13th in the form of an installation built to resemble a military cache. Head to my website (link in bio) for more details, photos and a behind the scenes look into the project. All guns, paraphernalia and prints of each gun will be available for purchase at the gallery. #shootportraitsnotpeople. @papabladesgram.

Una foto publicada por J A S O N S I E G E L (@jsiegelphotography) el 10 de Ene de 2017 a la(s) 2:00 PST

4/9 Excited to be a part of @blkmktaspen this month with the release of my first non-photographic art project, "Shoot Portraits Not People". A project in which I've transformed camera equipment into molds of high powered weaponry and military paraphernalia. Come see the project in person in Aspen at @blkmktaspen starting this Friday the 13th in the form of an installation built to resemble a military cache. Head to my website (link in bio) for more details, photos and a behind the scenes look into the project. All guns, paraphernalia and prints of each gun will be available for purchase at the gallery. #shootportraitsnotpeople. @papabladesgram

Una foto publicada por J A S O N S I E G E L (@jsiegelphotography) el 10 de Ene de 2017 a la(s) 11:44 PST

3/9 Excited to be a part of @blkmktaspen this month with the release of my first non-photographic art project, "Shoot Portraits Not People". A project in which I've transformed camera equipment into molds of high powered weaponry and military paraphernalia. Come see the project in person in Aspen at @blkmktaspen starting this Friday the 13th in the form of an installation built to resemble a military cache. Head to my website (link in bio) for more details, photos and a behind the scenes look into the project. All guns, paraphernalia and prints of each gun will be available for purchase at the gallery. #shootportraitsnotpeople. @papabladesgram

Una foto publicada por J A S O N S I E G E L (@jsiegelphotography) el 9 de Ene de 2017 a la(s) 12:32 PST

2/9 Excited to be a part of @blkmktaspen this month with the release of my first non-photographic art project, "Shoot Portraits Not People". A project in which I've transformed camera equipment into molds of high powered weaponry and military paraphernalia. Come see the project in person in Aspen at @blkmktaspen starting this Friday the 13th in the form of an installation built to resemble a military cache. Head to my website (link in bio) for more details, photos and a behind the scenes look into the project. All guns, paraphernalia and prints of each gun will be available for purchase at the gallery. #shootportraitsnotpeople. @papabladesgram

Una foto publicada por J A S O N S I E G E L (@jsiegelphotography) el 9 de Ene de 2017 a la(s) 12:09 PST

1/9 Excited to be a part of @blkmktaspen this month with the release of my first non-photographic art project, "Shoot Portraits Not People". A project in which I've transformed camera equipment into molds of high powered weaponry and military paraphernalia. Come see the project in person in Aspen at @blkmktaspen starting this Friday the 13th in the form of an installation built to resemble a military cache. Head to my website (link in bio) for more details, photos and a behind the scenes look into the project. All guns, paraphernalia and prints of each gun will be available for purchase at the gallery. #shootportraitsnotpeople. @papabladesgram.

Una foto publicada por J A S O N S I E G E L (@jsiegelphotography) el 9 de Ene de 2017 a la(s) 12:04 PST

"Shoot Portraits, Not People"
The BLK MKT in Aspen
534 E. Cooper Ave (Aspen, Colorado)
Friday January 13th;

MORE INFO:

• Facebook: facebook.com/JasonSiegelPhotography/
• Website: jasonsiegel.format.com/shoot-portraits-not-people
• Instagram: instagram.com/jsiegelphotography/
• Twitter: twitter.com/jsiegelphoto

Video by Verax Creative



Text, image and video via JASON SIEGEL