First of all, this subject needs a proper introduction: Vince Campi was my media/photography teacher throughout my high school career. This man has influenced my work immensely and without him I don't know if I would still be a photographer, or pro

First of all, this subject needs a proper introduction: Vince Campi was my media/photography teacher throughout my high school career. This man has influenced my work immensely and without him I don't know if I would still be a photographer, or productive at all. Over the course of the past year we have talked about the many themes that I aim to explore in this series, and his voice has been instrumental considering he is one of the very few male influences in my life. My life is simply one of the few that he has changed. I chose the title "All Remains" for this album because the classroom I was once taught in, room 111 on a Korean Church, will no longer be the technological oasis I once called my favorite class. The CHAMPS family is moving to another location that is still very close to its origin. There is no doubt that this transition will bring a lot of change, but the one thing that will always remain is the inspiration, compassion and sense of community that Campi instills in every student that is lucky enough to be in his class.

The church campus will always live on through all of those that made it the crazy but spectacular place it was.

 

Interview with Vince

 

1. First things first, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Take pictures and watch movies.

 

2. Define masculinity in your own words:

Masculinity is understanding the total person. You know there are “guy guys” who are sort of macho and athletic, that kind of thing. That’s kind of the traditional thought of it and it is masculinity but it’s sensitive people too. It’s a multifaceted, being in touch with all of those parts. You know, what you need to be whatever time of the day or whatever situation. There’s situational masculinity. You’re hanging out with your friends and there all a bunch of rednecks you’re not going to cry and talk about emotions, right? You kind of man up, you know, and do that thing, and just like young people also, like when you’re talking to your friends at lunch you don’t use the same language as you do when you talk to a teacher. Sometimes you will but it’s definitely modified. You use different words that old people get and then it’s just the same thing: you’re not trying to be something it’s just being who you are as a total person and getting in balance with that. Finding that balance, that’s a life long thing. Where you’re just trying to figure it out, you try on different personalities, you try on different things, and you find the one that fits and then it’s like okay… but then you can play. I remember when I went to my first business meeting, I was the manager of a retail outlet and it was a manager meeting, I went in there and I was just a little kind of rock and roll dude running the store, I went in and I thought I’m a business person, I went in and were talking numbers and things like that and it was really fun because it was sort of like play acting but it wasn’t, because everybody does it.

 

3. Name someone of the male gender that you aspire to be like and why?

Of course, Johnny Depp (laughs) because he’s just kind of the man. You know he’s got that coolness, he’s artistic, he’s sensitive, super creative. I guess it’s interesting that he would come to mind first (laughs). Him and Schindler, you know. Where you end up saving people or helping people because that’s a huge thing and that’s why I’ve made a lot of life decisions, career decisions even on that. It’s why I don’t want to be an administrator. I want to be a teacher because I get to interact with you guys and that’s where the life is. You know it’s not dealing with all the junky stuff that they have to deal with, I just have fun and hang out and teach people things and watch you guys grow. You know, even later in life I cant wait to see what happens. It’s exciting to me.

 

4. Can you recall an incident where you were told to be more “manly” or you felt like your masculinity was in jeopardy?

Oh yeah, because I tend to have feminine… even posture sometimes and I’m too mellow and too I don’t know wishy washy? But it’s not, it’s just me hanging naturally, so sometimes I even feel like I should be more strict or I should be more this and then I’ll be more “manly.” I think for me it’s just been a constant, how am I coming off? What do people see me as? And it matters and it doesn’t matter all at the same time because it’s marketing. Whatever we put on in the morning we’re telling the world that were this person. Everybody is judged, we all do it, we can’t help it. We see someone and immediately come up with an assessment of that. It will keep you from getting murdered because you’ll see somebody that looks that way and maybe you’ll walk on the other side of the street and be more cautious, so it’s going to save your life but you also want to balance it out because you don’t want to be judgmental. You know, and see somebody and say “oh that looks like a person I hated, back whenever” but they may be a lovely person and so… what was the question (laughs)? Oh being manly, so in those different situations you put on a little bit more or less of that.

 

5. Do you think the role of masculinity is changing in society? If so how?

Absolutely. The whole metro sexual thing, a straight person, dude, whatever, but they get manicures and their clothes are neat and tidy which has been almost, I mean in business most people are supposed to be like that, right? But just in non business situations, that’s been more of a “gay” thing where if they’re all super tidy with the nice hair cut and all that stuff it’s like “ohp okay,” beautiful dude but you know there’s no chance of him being in a relationship with a girl or whatever. But now that’s all broadening and it’s all widening out and it’s really a great thing. There are a lot of weird problems that seem to be resurfacing racially but not… Which also comes along with the masculinity thing. Things are definitely changing, I think it ebbs and flows but people are becoming much more understanding about all different life choices. I know that were here in California, in LA, and were much more that way than a lot of other places. They are a lot of more old fashioned places and they are constrained to their idea of masculinity and different life styles. Here, everybody is everybody and were all here so yes it’s changing but it’s a slow change.

 

6. How do you think male and female views on masculinity vary?

Females seem to want the sensitive guy but they want a relationship with the “bull,” the guy who can protect them and provide for them but that’s you know choosing bad relationships because a lot of the times those people are not the most monogamous. They’re just going for it, which can be attractive because it’s an animal kind of thing or gravitational pull that just draws you to their masculinity, but you can be really good friends with the more sensitive feminine guy who can talk and that kind of thing. A lot of the time those guys haven’t been that kind of person so they don’t talk a lot, they say what they have to say and that’s that. The conversation is over. You know, and guys are always trying to be the tougher, cool person so you want to be Sons of Anarchy but you don’t want to kill and murder and sell weapons for a living, but you want to have a motorcycle and own a cool vest and stuff. I think everybody wrestles with it and it’s just one of those things where you are who you are and you think about maybe I should be a little more of this or that at certain times and other times your just living.

 

7. Since you’re a high school teacher, what is it like watching boys during this transition period?

I try to speak into their lives at times. This year I had a conversation with a guy who was kind of playing it, he was really being sweet to this one girl a lot, you know doing the hugie thing and all that, and then all of a sudden two periods later he’s there doing the exact same thing with someone else. After I saw that a few times and these girls are starting to get led on, they’re like “oh he likes me” blah blah blah and all that and I’m like bro you cant do that. You know, and so I don’t interfere, I’ll just throw it out there a little bit and tell them that this is my perception of what your doing: you’re just a player and you’re not worth it. In any kind of relationship for any kind of whatever. So I try to speak into the boys lives that way, but if it’s there and it’s way over the top I’ll say something but most of the time it’s like okay, they’re just doing their thing and figuring it out. Everyone has to figure it out.

It’s awesome seeing them mature, it’s just amazing. Or I’ll see these guys and even when they first come in, even my relationship with them… I kind of equate it a little bit to when someone moves out and how the parent’s relationship with them is. It’s interesting when I see you guys by yourselves because to me you’re people. Then I’ll see you standing next to your mom or your dad and you’re a completely different person, you’re a little kid. The face is different, the demeanor is different, and it’s like oh my god, they’re little, but when I see you by yourselves your people. You’re adults, you’re moving up, you’re doing things so it’s a very interesting thing, that difference. So it’s really exciting to see. Even when a student graduated, he went to the marines and he became a man, a bad ass dude. And that is just… I love it. It’s just so exciting, you know. And seeing other people go through their struggles and what they’re doing and it’s like okay, we all did that and it’s how we learn and grow and figure stuff out. I really enjoy seeing that transition, you know from post middle school to adult. It’s a truly exciting time of life.

 

8. How do you think your sense of masculinity has changed over time?

I’ve become more comfortable with it. I understand more who the different people are. You know, the tough guys that cant talk about it and the sensitive guys and who are all those things and just understanding it. I know who I am. There’s this one book that I think everybody should read, Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus. Oh my gosh, it explains the whole thing. I remember reading that book and thinking oh okay, so I am a dude. You know because I do those things, I have my cave and I have this and understanding women like oh my god that is so true. As far as all the interaction and there’s just so many details in that book. It’s a great book, everyone should read it or get the audio tape or whatever. You just become more comfortable with who you are and then you can let other people be who they are, because they’re who they are and it doesn’t effect who you are. You can just let it go and enjoy all the different personalities’, it’s really kind of cool. 

 

Campi Final-2.jpg
Campi Final.jpg
Campi Final-4.jpg
Campi Final-5.jpg
Campi Final-6.jpg
Campi Final-7.jpg
First of all, this subject needs a proper introduction: Vince Campi was my media/photography teacher throughout my high school career. This man has influenced my work immensely and without him I don't know if I would still be a photographer, or pro
Campi Final-2.jpg
Campi Final.jpg
Campi Final-4.jpg
Campi Final-5.jpg
Campi Final-6.jpg
Campi Final-7.jpg

First of all, this subject needs a proper introduction: Vince Campi was my media/photography teacher throughout my high school career. This man has influenced my work immensely and without him I don't know if I would still be a photographer, or productive at all. Over the course of the past year we have talked about the many themes that I aim to explore in this series, and his voice has been instrumental considering he is one of the very few male influences in my life. My life is simply one of the few that he has changed. I chose the title "All Remains" for this album because the classroom I was once taught in, room 111 on a Korean Church, will no longer be the technological oasis I once called my favorite class. The CHAMPS family is moving to another location that is still very close to its origin. There is no doubt that this transition will bring a lot of change, but the one thing that will always remain is the inspiration, compassion and sense of community that Campi instills in every student that is lucky enough to be in his class.

The church campus will always live on through all of those that made it the crazy but spectacular place it was.

 

Interview with Vince

 

1. First things first, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Take pictures and watch movies.

 

2. Define masculinity in your own words:

Masculinity is understanding the total person. You know there are “guy guys” who are sort of macho and athletic, that kind of thing. That’s kind of the traditional thought of it and it is masculinity but it’s sensitive people too. It’s a multifaceted, being in touch with all of those parts. You know, what you need to be whatever time of the day or whatever situation. There’s situational masculinity. You’re hanging out with your friends and there all a bunch of rednecks you’re not going to cry and talk about emotions, right? You kind of man up, you know, and do that thing, and just like young people also, like when you’re talking to your friends at lunch you don’t use the same language as you do when you talk to a teacher. Sometimes you will but it’s definitely modified. You use different words that old people get and then it’s just the same thing: you’re not trying to be something it’s just being who you are as a total person and getting in balance with that. Finding that balance, that’s a life long thing. Where you’re just trying to figure it out, you try on different personalities, you try on different things, and you find the one that fits and then it’s like okay… but then you can play. I remember when I went to my first business meeting, I was the manager of a retail outlet and it was a manager meeting, I went in there and I was just a little kind of rock and roll dude running the store, I went in and I thought I’m a business person, I went in and were talking numbers and things like that and it was really fun because it was sort of like play acting but it wasn’t, because everybody does it.

 

3. Name someone of the male gender that you aspire to be like and why?

Of course, Johnny Depp (laughs) because he’s just kind of the man. You know he’s got that coolness, he’s artistic, he’s sensitive, super creative. I guess it’s interesting that he would come to mind first (laughs). Him and Schindler, you know. Where you end up saving people or helping people because that’s a huge thing and that’s why I’ve made a lot of life decisions, career decisions even on that. It’s why I don’t want to be an administrator. I want to be a teacher because I get to interact with you guys and that’s where the life is. You know it’s not dealing with all the junky stuff that they have to deal with, I just have fun and hang out and teach people things and watch you guys grow. You know, even later in life I cant wait to see what happens. It’s exciting to me.

 

4. Can you recall an incident where you were told to be more “manly” or you felt like your masculinity was in jeopardy?

Oh yeah, because I tend to have feminine… even posture sometimes and I’m too mellow and too I don’t know wishy washy? But it’s not, it’s just me hanging naturally, so sometimes I even feel like I should be more strict or I should be more this and then I’ll be more “manly.” I think for me it’s just been a constant, how am I coming off? What do people see me as? And it matters and it doesn’t matter all at the same time because it’s marketing. Whatever we put on in the morning we’re telling the world that were this person. Everybody is judged, we all do it, we can’t help it. We see someone and immediately come up with an assessment of that. It will keep you from getting murdered because you’ll see somebody that looks that way and maybe you’ll walk on the other side of the street and be more cautious, so it’s going to save your life but you also want to balance it out because you don’t want to be judgmental. You know, and see somebody and say “oh that looks like a person I hated, back whenever” but they may be a lovely person and so… what was the question (laughs)? Oh being manly, so in those different situations you put on a little bit more or less of that.

 

5. Do you think the role of masculinity is changing in society? If so how?

Absolutely. The whole metro sexual thing, a straight person, dude, whatever, but they get manicures and their clothes are neat and tidy which has been almost, I mean in business most people are supposed to be like that, right? But just in non business situations, that’s been more of a “gay” thing where if they’re all super tidy with the nice hair cut and all that stuff it’s like “ohp okay,” beautiful dude but you know there’s no chance of him being in a relationship with a girl or whatever. But now that’s all broadening and it’s all widening out and it’s really a great thing. There are a lot of weird problems that seem to be resurfacing racially but not… Which also comes along with the masculinity thing. Things are definitely changing, I think it ebbs and flows but people are becoming much more understanding about all different life choices. I know that were here in California, in LA, and were much more that way than a lot of other places. They are a lot of more old fashioned places and they are constrained to their idea of masculinity and different life styles. Here, everybody is everybody and were all here so yes it’s changing but it’s a slow change.

 

6. How do you think male and female views on masculinity vary?

Females seem to want the sensitive guy but they want a relationship with the “bull,” the guy who can protect them and provide for them but that’s you know choosing bad relationships because a lot of the times those people are not the most monogamous. They’re just going for it, which can be attractive because it’s an animal kind of thing or gravitational pull that just draws you to their masculinity, but you can be really good friends with the more sensitive feminine guy who can talk and that kind of thing. A lot of the time those guys haven’t been that kind of person so they don’t talk a lot, they say what they have to say and that’s that. The conversation is over. You know, and guys are always trying to be the tougher, cool person so you want to be Sons of Anarchy but you don’t want to kill and murder and sell weapons for a living, but you want to have a motorcycle and own a cool vest and stuff. I think everybody wrestles with it and it’s just one of those things where you are who you are and you think about maybe I should be a little more of this or that at certain times and other times your just living.

 

7. Since you’re a high school teacher, what is it like watching boys during this transition period?

I try to speak into their lives at times. This year I had a conversation with a guy who was kind of playing it, he was really being sweet to this one girl a lot, you know doing the hugie thing and all that, and then all of a sudden two periods later he’s there doing the exact same thing with someone else. After I saw that a few times and these girls are starting to get led on, they’re like “oh he likes me” blah blah blah and all that and I’m like bro you cant do that. You know, and so I don’t interfere, I’ll just throw it out there a little bit and tell them that this is my perception of what your doing: you’re just a player and you’re not worth it. In any kind of relationship for any kind of whatever. So I try to speak into the boys lives that way, but if it’s there and it’s way over the top I’ll say something but most of the time it’s like okay, they’re just doing their thing and figuring it out. Everyone has to figure it out.

It’s awesome seeing them mature, it’s just amazing. Or I’ll see these guys and even when they first come in, even my relationship with them… I kind of equate it a little bit to when someone moves out and how the parent’s relationship with them is. It’s interesting when I see you guys by yourselves because to me you’re people. Then I’ll see you standing next to your mom or your dad and you’re a completely different person, you’re a little kid. The face is different, the demeanor is different, and it’s like oh my god, they’re little, but when I see you by yourselves your people. You’re adults, you’re moving up, you’re doing things so it’s a very interesting thing, that difference. So it’s really exciting to see. Even when a student graduated, he went to the marines and he became a man, a bad ass dude. And that is just… I love it. It’s just so exciting, you know. And seeing other people go through their struggles and what they’re doing and it’s like okay, we all did that and it’s how we learn and grow and figure stuff out. I really enjoy seeing that transition, you know from post middle school to adult. It’s a truly exciting time of life.

 

8. How do you think your sense of masculinity has changed over time?

I’ve become more comfortable with it. I understand more who the different people are. You know, the tough guys that cant talk about it and the sensitive guys and who are all those things and just understanding it. I know who I am. There’s this one book that I think everybody should read, Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus. Oh my gosh, it explains the whole thing. I remember reading that book and thinking oh okay, so I am a dude. You know because I do those things, I have my cave and I have this and understanding women like oh my god that is so true. As far as all the interaction and there’s just so many details in that book. It’s a great book, everyone should read it or get the audio tape or whatever. You just become more comfortable with who you are and then you can let other people be who they are, because they’re who they are and it doesn’t effect who you are. You can just let it go and enjoy all the different personalities’, it’s really kind of cool. 

 

show thumbnails