Favorite Pic of the Day for April 4th

Above:

Tony by Lights On Studio

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~Check out today's Birthday's HERE:~

Instagrams That Inspire

Although he only appeared in a handful of episodes last year, it speaks to the talent of actor Max Ehrich that he still ended up with an EMMY nod. Hopefully, the Y & R writers will see the talent they're wasting soon. In the meantime, you can catch Max in Hulu's The Path and his social media sites including his Instagram.

Max Ehrich on Instagram

Kudos to Peter Dinklage

Kudos to actor Peter Dinklage who was hilarious and all kinds of sexy on this weeks Saturday Night Live.  Whether in his space pants, or in no pants at all, Dinklage elevated every skit that was written for him.

Especially effective was his turn with the incredible Leslie Jones in Naked & Afraid: Celebrity Edition.   We could hope the reality show would actually do such an edition, but you know we end up with Pauly Shore and a slew of former Housewives.

Locked Out Of Heaven: Tony by Lights On Studio

'There is nothing better than working with a model who can help your ideas come to life!'

Lights On Studio

In my first piece featuring the work of Tom Nakielski from Lights on Studio, the focus was on model Hansel Wellington, perched on a Christmas wreath and grasping his candy cane.  In the second feature, the Michigan photographer shared with us his images of Zach, no candy cane this time, just Zach and his ski's.

For this shoot, Tom tried to be a little more reverent, but hitting a church just wasn't in the cards.  It wasn't from a lack of trying, Tom originally planned on shooting in an old abandoned church, but when he got there the entrances had been all boarded up.  Determined to use one of Detroit's many abandoned buildings, Tom looked to the school next door.  Though the church kept hem out, the school luckily, had one opened door.

Joining Tom in that school is a model many readers of FH might be familiar work. Although it's been a few years since I first featured the work of Tony Gee, (Provocateur) Tony is more than memorable, and I have been hoping to feature more of his imagery.  Tom got in touch with Tony via Model Mayhem and it was first time shooting a session in an old abandoned location.  Tom shares that they were both a bit concerned about trespassing or running into someone, or maybe something... that might be living in the old building. .They both however, quickly got over the apprehension as soon as they got down to business and began shooting.

' It was a cold and rainy day and not the best conditions to be running around naked in an old and run down abandoned building.'

Some of my favorite shoots are in old abandoned buildings and Tom's work with Tony is beautiful blend of artist, model and location.  One of the reasons I love locations as this so much, is the life the naked male form, and a creative photographer, breathed back into a space long abandoned and forgotten.  It is always interesting for me to think about all of the teachers and students who lives and futures were touched by there time within this structure.  How many kids ran up those stairs, struggld with a class or subject they couldn't get and cried in the very same rooms and corners that Tony's naked body now beautifully inhabits.

'Tony easily relayed my artistic vision and used his creativity to create some awesome images. He has currently been in the gym working hard and excited for a busy spring season of shooting. I am looking forward to another session.!'

Lights on Studio on tumblr

Lights On Studio on ModelMayhem

Multiple Deaths in Venice

'Nothing is stranger or more ticklish than a relationship between people who know each other only by sight, who meet and observe each other daily - no hourly - and are nevertheless compelled to keep up the pose of an indifferent stranger, neither greeting nor addressing each other, whether out of etiquette or their own whim.'

Thomas Mann, Death in Venice

I think I must have seen some of the 1971 film adaptation of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice at some point in my life.  I don't remember watching it, but as I watched the recent airing on TCM, there was something familiar.  Like the movie itself, there was a dream like quality about some of the scenes that were potently familiar.

I think every gay man, especially those like myself who grew up in the 80's and 90's, had periods of our youth where relationships were created through visual contact only.  Before coming out, there were many guys, especially in Jr high and high school, who became an important part of my life, even though we may never have actually have spoken.

This theme is what hit me most while watching the film, particularly through the brilliant performances by Dirk Bogarde and a 16 year old Björn Andrésen as Tadzio.  What was so interesting to watch was Tadzio's reaction to being obsessed over.  At times, it was clear he knew, liked and responded positively to what was going on.  Now maybe that's wishful thinking, but it is usually the hope of the longer, that the person being longed for will somehow give even the weakest of positive responses

Above: A fairly recent shot of Björn Andrésen, the face, and of course the hair have barely changed.

Cover of Composer Benjamin Britten's Death In Venice Opera

It is not surprising the book spawned not just two film adaptations, but a stage play, and opera and a ballet.  Even in the 1971 film, the music played a powerful part of the storytelling and in a couple of scenes, the two main characters were without a doubt, doing a dance.  They may not have been touching, but there movements were definitely flowing in response to the movement of the other.
Below are a few other stage adaptations of Mann's story,  and a bit more of the dance.

Maximilian Ostermann as Tadzio at Berlin’s Schaubühne (2013)

Edvin Revazov as Tadzio for The Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg (2003)

Celestin Boutin as Tadzio at the Garsington Opera at Wormsley (2015)