Meet Tatum

We’ve got another visual artist for your eyeballs today! We called in the Brooklyn-based photographer, Tatum Mangus, for a chat, and had the pleasure to discuss all things art, the Brooklyn community, and her work on If Beale Street Could Talk.

Give it a scroll, a read, a view, and a like, then enjoy your day. :)

JULIUS CAESAR : A Mad-Lib by, Tatum Mangus

Julius Caesar was born in 102 B. Q. He was a THRIVING general, and between 49 and 58 B.C. he defeated the Gauls, the Goths, and the PILLOWS. After that, he WILDLY became more famous and defeated Pompey at the battle of TOKYO at Pharsalia. The Romans then elected him permanent MAKE-UP-ARTIST, and he used to walk around wearing a circlet of ivy leaves on his BIG TOE. Then Caesar went to Egypt, where he met Cleopatra, the teenage Egyptian BIKINI. When he conquered the Syrians in 46 B.C., he sent back a message saying, "Veni, Vedi, CUCINA." In 44 B.C., a soothsayer told Caesar to "Beware the Ides of WHALE SHARK," but he ignored the warning and in March he was stabbed in the SANDWICH by a group of senators. His last words were, "Et Tu DONATELLA VERSACE?"

Would You Rather

be a vampire cowboy in the old west or a werewolf knight in medieval times? Please tell us why.

Vampire cowgirl in the old west. No one would mess with a blood sucking cowgirl in the lawless west, but a werewolf in medieval times wouldn't last long with all those monster-slaying chivalrous knights.

Some questions with Tatum Mangus

What was the best music video of all time?

Fatboy Slim "Weapon of Choice"

What made you want to pursue photography?

I originally wanted to study printmaking, but it turns out I suck at drawing (lol). I had always casually taken photography classes, & after I tried my hand at printmaking, graphic design, & painting, I finally decided to focus on photography. Not exactly love at first sight, but it has been a beautiful, enriching relationship.

How has the artistic community in Brooklyn influenced your work?

I had a very close-knit photo community in San Francisco where I went to school, but I don't have many photo friends here in Brooklyn. However, almost all of my friends here are creative people & I love collaborating with them & seeing all kinds of work in different mediums. Their work ethic inspires me the most. Being freelance is not intuitive (in my opinion) & their experiences & advice have been invaluable.

If you had to choose one subject for the rest of your career, what would it be and why?

I would choose to photograph my partner, Terry. He's like a fine wine, he gets better with age.

What was your first email address and or AIM username?

twinkle_twinkle22 (yikes)

Did your parents taste in art influence your own?

No, my parents had no real interest in art. I think becoming an artist may have been in spite of them, actually. However, they have always been very supportive of my career, so I do have to thank them for that.

What was the experience like working on If Beale Street Could Talk?

Working on If Beale Street Could Talk was really incredible. So much goes into making a film & Barry & the whole team were all there to make sure it was made to perfection. It was actually hard to watch anything after being on set because I just kept counting the number of shots in each scene & imagining how many takes they must've shot. The teamwork required to make movie magic is just extraordinary.

What was your best hiding spot in hide-and-go-seek?

In a suitcase inside of a closet.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

I wish I had something enlightening to say during this very strange & scary time. I am fatally optimistic that we will come out of this COVID-19 world a little more compassionate, a little more positive, & with a little more perspective about the things that really matter. Hoping everyone out there is staying healthy & safe & sane!

Tatum Mangus