John, you are now a photographer in Bali shooting clubs and villas, but you started as a graphic designer. What you have in graphic arts?
When I was just six years, I conceived horror movie posters and sculptures moved on to high school. I always wanted to be an artist, but I took a detour and joined the army. I find that the Navy did not work for me with too many strict rules and anything artistic - I'm an electrician to change the batteries, etc. After being in the navy, I studied at Wayne State University and specialized in fine arts
Who were your hero or main influences growing up?
My influences are Van Gogh, Picasso and Man Ray that is especially very experimental.
What work are you most proud of
I would say that on cereal Kellogg - Star Wars franchise. We have been advertising Star Wars Episodes One, Two and Three, and I was an illustrator and re-touch.
Do you mean that the design is a hobby?
No, I was working during the day and made the night partying. In the early 90s, I took an interest in DJ culture - electronica, house, rave and techno, mainly between 1989 to 1993 in Detroit. While working in advertising, I started to DJ as a hobby and was a photographer for DontStayIn.com around 2007 to 2009. He was not paid, but I did it for recognition as a photographer. I also had a day's work as a graphic artist and was shooting clubs on weekends.
So why did you move to Bali?
Basically, I took a holiday in London and saw Laurent Garnier at a nightclub called The End where I met a girl. I kept in touch after I returned to Chicago and we spent two weeks traveling through Italy and then after I got back from Italy, I was working on fumes because of the 2008 financial crisis .
later she went to Bali on a cultural program and invited me to come and stay with her for six months worked well. I'm not really work, and just traveled around Bali and Java. One of my friends mentioned about this new film is called Merah Putih 2 plan were looking for extras and I jumped. I was in the jungle to be a Dutch soldier with a group of 10 crazy guys. At night, we drank beer and went to clubs in Bogor and that's where I met the two owners of Indonesiaclubbing.com. I told them that I had fired clubs in Chicago, they said it was great and they were looking for a good photographer to shoot for them to Jakarta.
How did you bludgeon in Jakarta compared to the States?
Depends where you go. Clubs in Jakarta are bigger and fancier. I've never seen anything Stadium in the States ...
So what happened after your spell with IndonesiaClubbing.com?
I Revenue in Bali. I love Bali so much and my girlfriend still lived here for about six months, so I returned to Chicago and sold up, including the sale of my Vespa 1969.
Have -you great spots in Bali?
Normally Hu'u Bar, Mint and Pyramid. Places like Hu'u Bar and De Ja Vu most Indonesians as customers and I think that's a good thing. Maria Magdalena is also good and I had several crazy there.
Are you settled in Bali? Or do you have plans to move on?
When my girlfriend comes back, we'll be looking for a villa. She works six months a year as manager of the bar in Saint Rafael. I think I'll go back for a while.
What can we expect from John Bergman in the near future?
Well, we'll see ... I'll keep shooting clubs and villas, but I plan to focus on website design and development.
What would you say to all the 40s and over who are sitting at home on Saturday night?
The concept of life is happiness ... and it is relative. I had a wife and child in Chicago, Bali and I live like a teenager!
Finally John, what are your favorite parts of all time?
Worldwide, the Winter Music Conference, 2008. In Bali, The Underground probably 88 Kerobokan. This party was in the basement and Minuro DJ Funky Gong was headlining. W Retreat and also the opening of Spa, where they had two back to back parties. And also Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May at Potato Head Beach Club.
Thanks John. You can catch John shot the 19th anniversary of Hard Rock October 12th and 3rd anniversary of Métis, October 20th. Visit his website at www.jberg.inc