I’d like to explain what I was going for in this image and what I was thinking. First and foremost the model was twenty four years old and I have her permission as well as a models release. She’s not a professional model and she receives a percentage of sales hence her permission. Personally I prefer my models to be at least twenty four or older so they can think clearly about repercussions that may come later on in life. That said if I find a model who’s eighteen and has a lot of nudes in her book and is trying to break into modeling circles I will work with her but again I ask permission to use certain images even though I get a models release. I feel like a lot of models don’t think down the road a few years in time and my images might cause them some troubles, the same is true for older models too.
So I was looking for a model who was comfortable with this kind of intimacy. I was also looking for a girl who’d knew that it was art and I had a statement that I was trying to make. I needed a model who was androgynous enough that the subject wouldn’t interfere with my vision. In other words someone with a compact little package and not someone who was voluptuous of build and stature. I also needed someone who had a playful nature and I could ask to try a variety of possibilities in hair styles. In the end this image was the result of my imagination and vision.
The final product was harder that I had envisioned, finding a printer locally was tough. I went to no less than three labs and the answer was the same, they were unwilling to print it because they were afraid of the content. No question that it was art. No question that they were afraid. I finally found a printer who agreed but wanted to be off the hook if anything happened. Now all the labs and the owners knew me and knew that I wasn’t into child porn. My framer also knew me but the women in the frame shop were mortified to have it in the shop. I had two prints made and framed differently, the first was white metal and it looked so cool. The second was framed the way I had envisioned it in a burnished silver frame that matched the tone and the mood. I took both to the printer and show him the white one first and there was as audible gasp from him. Before he could say anything I showed him the second telling him that this was the way I saw it in my mind and he was struck speechless.
So this was my entry in the Erotic show in Austin. Amid all the art that was presented this was the purest piece that was there and by purest I mean not graphic. I don’t have a problem with graphic but that doesn’t seem erotic to me. Just my opinion.
http://www.gallerylombardi.com/exhibits/00510eexhibit.html
So I was looking for a model who was comfortable with this kind of intimacy. I was also looking for a girl who’d knew that it was art and I had a statement that I was trying to make. I needed a model who was androgynous enough that the subject wouldn’t interfere with my vision. In other words someone with a compact little package and not someone who was voluptuous of build and stature. I also needed someone who had a playful nature and I could ask to try a variety of possibilities in hair styles. In the end this image was the result of my imagination and vision.
The final product was harder that I had envisioned, finding a printer locally was tough. I went to no less than three labs and the answer was the same, they were unwilling to print it because they were afraid of the content. No question that it was art. No question that they were afraid. I finally found a printer who agreed but wanted to be off the hook if anything happened. Now all the labs and the owners knew me and knew that I wasn’t into child porn. My framer also knew me but the women in the frame shop were mortified to have it in the shop. I had two prints made and framed differently, the first was white metal and it looked so cool. The second was framed the way I had envisioned it in a burnished silver frame that matched the tone and the mood. I took both to the printer and show him the white one first and there was as audible gasp from him. Before he could say anything I showed him the second telling him that this was the way I saw it in my mind and he was struck speechless.
So this was my entry in the Erotic show in Austin. Amid all the art that was presented this was the purest piece that was there and by purest I mean not graphic. I don’t have a problem with graphic but that doesn’t seem erotic to me. Just my opinion.
http://www.gallerylombardi.com/exhibits/00510eexhibit.html
3 comments:
they were unwilling to print it because they were afraid of the content
We've never been able to find anyone over here who was happy printing Rich's work, and no chance of a framer either. We've always had to print photographs ourselves.
It's so interesting to hear you talk about repercussions later in life. I am later in life, and yet I do consider repercussions. I think we all have family, in particular, who would not warm up to our work. Arthur Miller said we carry our past forward into our present. Still, there's a huge difference between being 18 and being 24. That I do remember! And between 24 and 64.
Yeah I hear you. Before you’re 24 you think your bulletproof, nothing can harm you. And by the time your in your 60's your all to aware of how vulnerable you and your family are. That’s why I’m so protective about my girls and my images. I hate to see them harmed over an image they felt proud of creating. We all remember Vanessa Williams and how her career was left in ruins by unscrupulous exploiters. My hat off to all of you out there who risk so much for your art.
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