In Creative Conversation with Kino
‘In Creative Conversation’ is a thought leadership interview series, focusing on spotlighting the journey founders and creatives have had in starting their own creative agencies/production companies or creative journeys.
Hermeilio Miguel Aquino is a director, published fashion photographer, creative director and overall multidisciplinary artist. Raised in the South Bronx in a Latino neighbourhood, Kino then went to study film at The St Petersburgh Theatre Academy in Russia, Columbia College Chicago, NYU and later Classical Theatre & Art at Central Saint Martins School of Art & Design.
Kino speaks to Wishu about drawing on his multiple multicultural references and striking a balance between the commercial and creative as a way to secure more clients while also perfecting his own stylistic niche. The artist also speaks on the importance of subculture on screen and in print and expressing his artistic autonomy in all types of creative briefs.
Wishu: Was there a particular age or moment where you realised that you truly are a creative?
Kino: When I was 6 years old I used to draw a lot of comic book sketches and had a large imagination. There was an after school program that came to school one day and set up some improv sketches and they asked the kids to play different characters from everyday life. It was then that I found an urge to act and perform and that’s how my gateway to creativity started. I was an actor until my early 30s actually.
Wishu: Do you think performance still plays an active role now that you’re working behind the scenes?
Kino: Yes, especially when I’m directing. I know the pressure the talent is under and I try to ease them into the performance that I’m looking for and try to direct them in a way that makes sense from an actor or model’s perspective. That’s helped me achieve the desired result when photographing.
Wishu: What are some of your influences? We see you’re a Spike Lee fan!
Kino: iD magazine influences me a lot visually and yeah I’m really into Spike Lee. Cinematography from thriller genres inspired me via the lighting and the representation of subculture and people who are on the fringes of society and not seen in everyday life. iD and Vice magazine tend to venture into subculture too and that’s what Spike Lee ventures into too. Subculture is an element of my style for sure.
Continue reading the interview on Wishu
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