Julian Lennon’s “Reminiscence” - All Of It with Alison Stewart

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – Julian Lennon’s “Reminiscence”

Introduction

In the March 6, 2025 episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, renowned musician and photographer Julian Lennon joins the show to discuss his latest photography exhibition, “Reminiscence.” The episode delves into Julian’s artistic journey, his motivations behind the exhibition, and his perspectives on culture, humanity, and nature.

Julian's Journey into Photography

Julian Lennon’s passion for photography is deeply intertwined with his philanthropic efforts. He shared that his involvement with the White Feather Foundation ignited his interest in documenting indigenous cultures.

“I used to go on these trips around the world to South America and Ethiopia and Kenya... [and] I decided to take a camera because that way at least I'd know what I did.”
— Julian Lennon [02:12]

Through his lens, Julian aims to preserve and share the stories, histories, and landscapes of these communities, fostering a sense of empathy and connection among viewers who may never traverse these regions themselves.

Overview of “Reminiscence” Exhibition

“Reminiscence” is Julian’s latest exhibition, showcasing a collection of never-before-seen photographs that explore the intricate relationship between humanity and nature. The exhibition, curated by Emmanuel Fremont, is hosted at the Freeman Gallery in Chelsea and runs through April 6.

“Julian’s work transcends the boundaries of traditional art, offering not only visual brilliance but also a profound message about our shared responsibility for the world around us.”
— Emmanuel Fremont [00:35]

The exhibition features diverse locations, including Cuba, Joshua Tree, and Japan, each photograph narrating its unique story and contributing to the overarching theme of interconnectedness.

Discussion of Specific Series: Cuba and Joshua Tree

Julian elaborates on his experiences photographing in Cuba, describing it as a blend of beauty and melancholy. His Cuban series captures everyday moments, such as a vintage car in a bustling square, highlighting the vibrant yet complex essence of the locale.

“It was just so incredible. So beautiful, so sad at the same time. But the people were amazing and, yeah, a great memory for me and a place that I would go back to time and time again.”
— Julian Lennon [05:17]

In the Joshua Tree series, Julian focuses on the stunning landscapes, drawn by their natural beauty and the solitude they offer. He emphasizes capturing the moment as it happens, allowing the environment to speak for itself without imposing a specific focal point.

“I like a landscape, an overview of what you see. They all tell a story. It’s all, you know, different chapters within the frame of it all.”
— Julian Lennon [07:31]

Julian's Photography Philosophy and Techniques

Julian’s approach to photography is holistic, aiming to encapsulate entire scenes rather than isolating individual elements. This method allows viewers to immerse themselves in the moment and interpret the myriad stories within a single frame.

“I generally tend to take a picture of a scene as opposed to a specific focal point... it’s about taking, you know, an overall image of a time and a place.”
— Julian Lennon [06:20]

He also strives to bridge the gap between digital and film photography, seeking to make his digital images emulate the authentic feel of film. This dedication was affirmed when a fine art critic couldn’t distinguish between his digital and film photographs.

“If she can’t tell, then that’s great.”
— Julian Lennon [10:48]

“Life's Fragile Moments” Book Release

In addition to his exhibitions, Julian has released his first photography book, “Life's Fragile Moments,” which compiles his work from the past decade and a half. The book has garnered significant attention, quickly selling out its initial release.

“This was a way of compiling all of my better work, I would say, from all the collections that I've done so that people could see what I get up to in between the music, in between the children's books, in between the documentary work.”
— Julian Lennon [12:14]

Julian expresses immense gratitude towards his supporters and looks forward to making the book available again soon.

Collaboration with Emmanuel Fremont and Curation

Julian credits Emmanuel Fremont for his pivotal role in curating the “Reminiscence” exhibition. Their collaborative history spans over a decade, with Fremont’s expertise in understanding and catering to the audience’s preferences ensuring the exhibition’s success.

“I trust him immensely and I do get to see and sign off on the images that he does choose.”
— Julian Lennon [18:13]

A highlight of the exhibition is the Cuba collection on aluminum, featuring high-contrast black and white photos that exhibit a new dimension of Julian’s work through reflections and larger prints.

“It was impressive. Really, really impressive. Which inspires me, of course, to continue on so many levels.”
— Julian Lennon [18:13]

Musical Endeavors: “New Dream”

Beyond photography, Julian touches upon his musical project, “New Dream,” a collaboration with longtime friend Gregory Darling. The project embodies hope and aspiration, reflecting the current global climate and the collective yearning for a better future.

“New Dream was just, I think, timing, you know, with everything that's going on in the world right now, we're all hoping for something a little better.”
— Julian Lennon [20:14]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the conversation wraps up, Julian extends heartfelt thanks and shares a personal note regarding his esteemed colleagues, Wendy and Lisa, whom he hasn't seen in years.

“I do have a request. Could you pass on a hello to Wendy and Lisa... send my best pass on my love.”
— Julian Lennon [21:06]

Emmanuel Fremont assures that Julian’s sentiments will be conveyed, adding a touch of warmth to the episode’s conclusion.

Final Remarks

Julian Lennon’s “Reminiscence” stands as a testament to his multifaceted talent, bridging the realms of music and visual art to narrate compelling stories of culture, memory, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature. This episode of All Of It provides an insightful glimpse into Julian’s creative process, his dedication to storytelling, and his ongoing journey as an artist committed to capturing the essence of our shared human experience.

Transcript

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WNYC Studios (0:23)

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Alison Stewart (0:35)

This is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart. Coming up tomorrow, we're going to continue our Equalizer series with women who produce and engineer music. And we have a special conversation planned. I'll be speaking with Wendy and Lisa, as in Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. You may know them from their start as part of Prince's band the Revolution. They became the first woman in the history of the Grammys to receive a nomination for Producer of the Year for their work on Purple Rain. Wendy and Lisa will be my guests tomorrow on the show that's in the future. Let's get this hour started with Julian Lennon. Julian Lennon is a musician and a photographer. His latest exhibition in Chelsea is titled Reminiscence. Featuring never before seen photographs, the show builds on Julian's lifelong pursuit to explore humanity, nature and the interconnectedness between the two. The pictures take us to Cuba, Joshua Tree and Japan. While speaking about Julian's work, the gallery's director, Emmanuel Fremont, said his work transcends the boundaries of traditional art, offering not only visual brilliance, but also a profound message about our shared responsibility for the world around us. Reminiscence opens tonight at the Freeman Gallery at 520 W. 23rd St. And Julian Lennon is in studio with me now. Welcome to the show.

Julian Lennon (1:56)

Hello. That was a very nice intro.

Alison Stewart (1:59)

That's for when you were thinking about putting together these images.

Julian Lennon (2:04)

Yeah.

Alison Stewart (2:05)

What sort of images? What kind of story did you want to tell about humans and about nature?

Julian Lennon (2:12)

Well, I mean, the. The real fact of the matter is I've been doing this for a good while now, and my initial interest for photography really came out of. I have a foundation called the White Feather Foundation. We do a lot of work around the world. Initially, it was looking after indigenous cultures, protecting their. Their history, their story, their lands, etc. Etc. And so I used to go on these trips around the world to South America and Ethiopia and Kenya. And I have the worst memory in the world, and I honestly mean that. And so I. I decided to take a camera because that way at least I'd know what I did. And so after going on these journeys and meeting these incredible cultures, you know, I'd look through the photos and see that there was some great stories in there. And I just felt that a lot of people, at least I've had emails and letters come in that a lot of people, you know, whether it's financial or whether they're. They're unable physically to travel around the world, say, you know, this is a way for them to see what people are like on the other side of the world, for them to have empathy with what's going on with these people on the other side of the world and another way for them to travel. So that became a real focus for me on putting my collections together initially, and then slowly but surely, you know, with these travels, landscape pictures and more portraiture came out of that. But, yeah, it's all about telling a story.