Michael Stipe on how photography has inspired him to live in the moment

Michael Stipe's new exhibition "Even the Birds Gave Pause” is on view through Jan. 18. (Christy Bush)

Michael Stipe, legendary musician and founder of the band R.E.M., has spent the years following the close of his band’s monumental career exploring his first love, photography. In previous conversations on “City Lights,” Stipe compared his capture of portrait images to a kind of “diary.”

A new collection of work by Michael Stipe is on view through Jan. 18 in the exhibition “Even the Birds Gave Pause” at Jackson Fine Art. The show comprises fine art portrait photography, sculpture and design.

Stipe joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to share more about how he understands and captures his world through images and art.



“I’m quite a sentimental person, but I despise sentimentality,” he said. “I try desperately to live in the moment.”

Michael Stipe’s photographs are on view at the Jackson Fine Art gallery. (JFA)

You can find more information about his exhibition here.