Irving Penn in Black and White

Ésta es probablemente mi fotografía favorita de Mr. Penn. El cigarillo ha sido un elemento imprescindible para la moda durante muchos años y aparece aquí con toda su fuerza. Aporta estilo, elegancia, feminidad... Se ve la mano de un hombre desconocido para nosotros en una esquina, encendiéndole el cigarillo. Para mí es una fotografía muy refinada, casi perfecta, muy creativa en la cual el contenido casi que no importa. Otro rasgo de esta obra es la idea del "foreground" y del "background" en el arte en general. La botella sale en primer plano, pero es lo que aparece detrás que atrae nuestra atención y lo que en fin importa para entender la obra. El efecto visionario que se produce también conlleva un sentimiento y un significado escondido. La fotografía viene de Vogue Magazine de los años 50 cuando la revista se dirigía a un público específico y exclusivo en la ciudad de Nueva York.

Irving Penn

El artista Irving Penn fue uno de los fotógrafos que más influencia ha tenido en el mundo de la moda y de la vida de los famosos. El americano ha fotografiado con un estilo diferenciable, una visión minimalista pero al mismo tiempo llegando al fondo de sus sujetos. Los trabajos de Penn le hicieron el fotógrafo por excelencia para Vogue Magazine donde colaboró con más de 150 portadas. El respeto con que están tratados sus obras es reconocible por la presencia de su arte en todos los museos grandes no solamente en su país natal, sino en galerías y exposiciones en París, Londres, Berlin.
Mr. Penn (así lo conocen en el mundo artístico) econtraba la belleza aún en las cosas más simples por lo cual sus fotografías se consideran un híbrido entre el arte comercial y las bellas artes. Alison Nordström, la conocida conservadora del museo de fotografía George Eastman House, dijo en una entrevista "He made an ashtray full of cigarette butts, of trash sitting on the street . . . appear as elegant as a Parisian fashion model."

Esta fotografía, entre otras, me recuerda a otra frase famosa que en muchos casos se aplica al arte de Mr. Penn: "Photographing a cake can be art!". Pero solamente si sabes cómo conseguirlo.

PLAY SOME MUSIC

I've made available some of my music to create a cooler ambient while you are going through my blog! Please, feel free to pause it anytime if you get annoyed. In case you're interested, the music is by: The xx, Zero 7, Pete Tong. Click on the songs you like to get them!

Men's ad campaign Calvin Klein 2010 by photographer Steven Klein

Photographed by Steven Klein with art direction by Fabien Baron, David Agbodji’s (the model) debut campaign is sure to be remembered as one of this season’s most iconic works!

Calvin Klein have been trying to provoke fashionistas and others for a few years now. Several of their billboards have been removed from the streets after a public outcry. The company, though, has not given up yet. After Eva Mendez last year (see campaign), it's Agbodji's turn to show off a few perfect abs and see what the reaction will be. Yes, it might be scandalous, but YES, it's fresh and original. And who else but Steven Klein.

Artistically, this campaign strikes me as so interesting because of the light. The model's body looks shiny and elegant and it re-embraces Calvin Klein's idea of class, red-carpet elegance and spotlight attention. It's almost as if the oil that covers Agbodji's body is absorbed by the suits to shine out! To see more of Agbodji, click.

I have no doubts about the beauty and artistic perfection of this campaign. Is it scandalous? Maybe. Does it raise questions about race discrimination? Most likely. But that's why Steven Klein was chosen to do this: provocative as it is, its eroticism and exquisiteness makes it stand out from the rest. It makes us stop, stare, comment...PASSIVITY NOT ALLOWED.

Want some more Calvin Klein advertising. Here's the new underwear campaign!

Working with Madonna. Photography by Steven Klein.

Steven Klein did a photo shoot with the Pop Queen Madonna in 2006. It was called "Madonna Rides Again" for W Magazine. This is the second collaboration between the star and Klein after their work in 2003 called "Madonna Unbound". The photo session consists of a 58-page portfolio showing that the singer has completely recovered from her horse-riding accident just seven months ago. The celebrity was strongly affected by the accident: she had multiple body fractures and found herself emotionally distressed. Anyhow, at the age of 47 though, Madonna is still willing to push the envelope, even more than before. Her relationship with the animal world is as strong as ever, her womanhood and provocativeness remain unchanged.

For a long time now Madonna has been not simply a pop celebrity, but also a fashion icon. She's worked with designers like Marc Jacobs and served as a model for brands like Louis Vuitton. These photographs are a manifestation of her affinity towards fashion and an affirmation for her role as a fashion trend-setter. In fact, some of the clothing and accessories that appear in the photo shoot are provided by Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce&Gabbana, DSquared, Jean Paul Gaultier.

This photo shoot is called "Blame it on Rio" done in Brasil during which Madonna met her future boyfriend, Brazilian model Jesus Luz, 22.

Some of the photographs are quite provocative!

Who is Steven Klein?

Steven Klein was born in Rhode Island, USA in 1962.
He is famous for his collaboration with popular fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen, Nike. He has photographed some icons of our times: Brad Pitt, Madonna, Tom Ford, Britney Spears. His work can be seen as part of hundreds of ad campaigns for high fashion and couture.