Thu Apr 22
Marcel Castenmiller Interview
Not only is Marcel Castenmiller one of the calmest models I’ve never met, his friendly demeanor and unique appearance are what keep him in demand. Plus, he’s Canadian, which around here translates to pure gold. He has his own blog, takes videos of himself in the bath, and to top it all off he is a talented photographer. He’s done what seems like every Kenzo campaign, been in Interview, Dazed & Confused, Vogue Hommes International, i-D, GQ, Numéro, and walked for Burberry, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Ann Demeulemeester, Hermès and opened for Gucci. Now that I’m out of breath, let’s talk to the wunderkind.
Name: Marcel Castenmiller
Age: 23
Occupation: Model
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, New York
Favourite Song: Drive-In Saturday / David Bowie
MC: Yes, Vancouver, B.C. No I don’t miss it at all. Last time I’ve been back home was December 2009 for a little over two weeks. Before that it was October 2007 for a month.
TT: You’re in New York now. Just stating that for the records. It looks like you had an interesting visit to Japan. Can you tell us about it? And who is Coley?
MC: Yes glad to be back in Brooklyn. That was my first time in Japan, pretty strange. We managed to come at the right time to catch the Sakura Trees so it was very busy in Tokyo. Coley is one of my best friends, he’s a photographer who also models. I met him in 2007 on Ryan McGinley’s roadtrip. Coley was Ryan’s assistant at that time and also is in Ryan’s work. We now share a studio in Brooklyn.
TT: What is the fascination with you taking videos of your baths? Are you trying to make some kind of baths of the world project?
MC: Haha everyone is asking me about that. Wouldn’t say it’s a fascination, or barely even a project. Before I travel I always make sure I go to a museum or gallery. Before Tokyo I went to the P.S.1. MoMA in Long Island City. They had this one Warhol screening which I fell in love with. It was a video of a couple taking a bath, and it was just them talking or kissing or making animal sounds. It was so beautiful that I guess it rubbed off on me and when I’d do anything in the bathroom I’d put on some music and set down my video camera recording in a corner somewhere. I would say I’m very fascinated by documentation.
MC: I don’t think it has anything to do with Edmonton. I was only born there and don’t remember Alberta at all. I’m just crazy about her Canadian or not.
TT: What was it like assisting Ryan McGinley? What did you take away from it?
MC: Would take a long time to describe what it’s like to work for Ryan. I wasn’t a full time assistant, but when he took me under his wing to shoot for W Magazine I realized how important it is to work for someone you have admiration for. This also made me realize how amazing New York City is, I’ve met so many NY kids that intern for some of the most amazing and well known Artists. I believe that’s a very important step in your life when you’re young.
TT: Of all your travels, do you have a favourite place? What trip was the best?
MC: New York is my favourite place. Tokyo is for sure up on my list but I could never live there. My favourite “Trip” would be the 2007 road-trip. My travels to Paris and Milan are great too but they aren’t as life changing as the East to West Coast “On the Road”-ish journey we had with Ryan.
TT: What did you go to art school for?
MC: General Fine Arts. I would say my focus was on Painting and Art History but at the time seemed to shift towards Photography.
TT: Do you have any plans for after modeling?
MC: Yes. Hopefully I can continue living in New York, otherwise move to Utrecht or Berlin. Possibly continue my last two years of my GFA degree.
TT: You’ve waited so long to go to dinner with a certain person. While having dinner, you reach for the HP sauce to douse your dry steak, but end up knocking the bottle onto your esteemed guests new outfit. What do you do?
MC: First I say “Oh Shit!” then I would run out of the restaurant to the nearest Taxi.
TT: You are pickpocketed. What is one thing on your person which you would wish not be stolen?
MC: Probably one of my cameras.
TT: You’re caught selling illegal drugs and have to spend all your drug earnings before the cops get even more suspicious. Assuming you’ll get off scot free, what do you buy with all your money?
MC: Expensive signed copies of published books by famous artists, boxes of Portra VC, cartons of Marlboro Reds, the biggest boss speakers, expensive oil paint, crates of Jim Beam, Twin Peaks box set, a Lamborghini Countach and a Leica M4. g
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