Above:
Brian by Claus Pelz
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Sunday, August 2, 2015
Provincetown: Brian by Claus Pelz, Shoot 1
When I contacted Chicago based photographer Claus Pelz about featuring his work with Brian, it was based on seeing images from their second shoot. When you scroll down to the next piece, you will see there is a distinct difference between the two shoots Claus and Brian had together. I almost shaved off this first set of images. I added them back for a couple of reasons. First, I love the panoramic style in which Claus captures his models within their location. Brain looks exceptional in any image, but I love the way Claus brings his surroundings, especially the way Claus shot and framed Brian on the sand dunes. In addition I wanted to give a visual example of the differences between the first and second shoot.
'We did the first shoot when I visited Provincetown in July 2012. Brian is from the Boston area and came to P-Town to do the shoot with me. He is a really nice and friendly guy and he has that hot Boston accent. We were taking the photos where we created that rain effect when people walking by asked to take a photo with him. One of those rain-theme photos made it into my 2014 Physique Calendar.'
Chicago: Brian by Claus Pelz, Shoot 2
'You look delicious!'
Although I loved the images from their first shoot, I think I love the results of the second shoot from 2014 even more! Photographer Claus Pelz invited Brian up to his home in Chicago to shoot. This time, he asked Brian not to shave prior to this shoot, and the results... magnificent!
Born in Germany, Claus Pelz currently lives and works in Chicago. As you can see from his work with 25 year old Brian, his main focus has become male physique photography. The artist's 2014 Physique Calendar was a huge success selling world wide.
I love how Claus blends muscle, masculinity and fashion. So many models, males included, who work in fashion, tend to have leaner bodies for the clothes they model and runway. Brian clearly has a focus on definition and muscle which are highlighted by his work with Claus and the clothes he is both in and out of. Claus shot Brian in a variety of outfits and he fills out every piece he wore, especially his short, beautifully. You don't necessarily think of shorts as high fashion, but as shot by Claus, and worn by Brian, they are epitome of summer sophistication.
'It’s fun to see people’s reactions when I shoot in public, I remember when we were taking that photo in the alley with Brian wearing the cut-off jeans a guy drove by on his bicycle and said to Brian “you look delicious!"
As I stated in the first piece, I love the panoramic style that Claus uses in so many of his images. Brian's impressive physique requires a visual balance and his body is even more impressive when Claus brings into his shots all that surrounds it. The artist's real estate background might play into the theme must a bit as when selling properties, interested buyers aren't fooled by one section of a house. They want to see it in it's entirety, complete without editing or cropping to diminish the overall visual impact. Through his images, Claus ensures we are not only interested, but want to buy, whatever Brian is selling.
The image below needs to be clicked on to be fully appreciated.
Paul Newman in The Long Hot Summer (1958)
Although not especially hot, nor feeling especially long, TCM's airing last Sunday of 1958's The Long Hot Summer was the perfect movie for a muggy summer night. Although I had not seen the movie before, I had a bit of déjà vu when seeing the listing and setting my DVR recording. I had fleeting memories of promos for the 1985 television remake. I had not seen that version either, but remember cutting the advert out of the TV Guide.
The 1958 film was based on three works by William Faulkner: the 1931 novella 'Spotted Horses', the 1939 short story 'Barn Burning', and the 1940 novel 'The Hamlet'. The cast is stellar, especially Angela Lansbury and Orson Welles. Interesting to read about the friction between Welles and director Martin Ritt. Although Welles later apologized for his behaviour, stories are he was a pain in the ass on the set.
Paul Newman is a sexy as every as Ben Quick, a drifter who causes friction within the Varner Family. Newman and co-star Joanne Woodward went on to marry about a year after filming. Some of the characters in the film are said to be loosely based on Tennessee Williams' 1955 play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. That film, which also starred Newman was released about six months later and did much better at the box office than The Long Hot Summer.
Too hot to sleep inside...
Don Johnson in The Long Hot Summer (1985)
I have written before that when I was growing up in the 80's, I couldn't stand Don Johnson. I mostly knew him from Miami Vice and when I was a kid I just found him old and a bit cocky. That changed when I too got a bit older. Over the last 10 years, I have gone back and watched some of Johnson's performances, especially his work in the 70's. My feelings certainly changed. Don Johnson, although I didn't see it when I was younger, had a sexual magnetism that although I tried, I could not completely escape from.
I vaguely remember the promotional campaign for 1985's television mini-series remake of A Long hot Summer. Although they were not connected as lovers on screen, given her notoriety, it was Cybil Shepherd (as Eula, the Lee Remick role) you would have thought was paired romatintically with Johnson in the film. Johnson's romantic rival was actually played by Judith Ivey, and actress mostly known at the time for her work on Broadway.
The 1985 mini series was actually not the first remake of the 1958 film, there was also a short lived 1965 television series featuring Roy Thinnes in the role of Ben Quick. I am not really a fan of remakes, but I had to check out the 1985 version after seeing the original. The complete film is on Youtube and worth a look if you're a fan of the original.
The cast certainly does not hold up to the original (especially Angela Lansbury and Orson Welles) but Shepherd, William Russ and especially Ivey are good in their roles and Johnson is hot as ever, and shirtless and sweaty enough, to make it worth the investment. His unbuttoned jeans also seem pretty scandalous for the 80's. It is interesting at a time when females were so sexualized on prime time television that a project would be so open about focusing on the sex appeal of it's male star. Although not uncommon today, it was still not the norm on prime time in the 80's.
Too Hot to Sleep Inside...
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