The first Smoke Bomb Photograph I created in 2008. Living in New York City, it wasn’t easy to buy some fireworks. The law at this time did not allow people to buy fireworks in New York state. I organized a van and drove with about ten assistants to New Jersey. There, close to the border to NY, I located a firework store, perfect for finding colorful smoke bombs. We prepared the materials for a grid: long handles for paint rollers, duck tape, and ladders. It was a sunny day, and we left early in the morning. Arrived at the store, I was in heaven, a great choice of so many fireworks.

After purchasing a mountain of smoke bombs, I asked the salesperson if he knew a site where we could lighten up the fireworks. He answered: “Oh, right here in front of the store.” I was happy, and we started working, building up the grid for the smoke bombs. A performance or photoshoot like this needs several helpers because the smoke bombs have to be lit more or less simultaneously. Once everything is running, “Mother Nature” takes care of the progress; sometimes, the smoke is just perfect, and other times, the wind blows just the wrong way. That day, all was perfect. “Smoke Bomb” was a success – a motivation to make more. The 2nd one we shoot at Kim Gordon’s backyard, and number 3 in Switzerland at the Paul Klee Museum in Bern. There was even an incident with the FBI; they wondered why I bought so many smoke bombs. However, I continued to perform the SB on many different occasions during the next few years worldwide.

Other projects emerged from this same idea of a grid (structure) and fireworks: “Black Hole In My Garden” (2019), “Color Wheels” (2012), and “Fiery Eye” (2013). I am sure I will produce more related projects in the future.