'He speaks with his body.'
Although FH, and the images and stories within, are focused on imagery of the male form, relationship is an underlying theme of almost every piece I've written. The relationship between viewer and art, art and society, but I think most important of all, the relationship between artist and subject.
I'm constantly asking photographers how and why. How die you come up with that theme or concept, why did you choose to work with that particular model, what was it about that model that inspired or nudged your creative impulses. The answers aren't always that interesting, many photographers shoot a model once, and it one and done. They liked their look, the way they moved. After one shoot, even a successful one, they move to the next idea, the next concept and the next model.
Most images are not inspired and created by mentors and muses, but some of my favorites shoots, most definitely are. With mentors and muses, there is not just one shoot, but numerous opportunities to create, to challenge, to push boundaries and grow as a creative team. Visions are explored, some tired, then dropped, others developed, created and completed.
Over the last two years, New York photographer Richard Rothstein has envisioned, developed, created and completed dozens of creative concepts, and for many, collaborated with the multi-talented and visually ethereal Sergey, to both fulfill, and inspire his creative vision. I feel fortunate, to have featured over 20 of these collaborations over the past two years.
It has been fascinating to watch the changes in relationship between artist and model, especially it's impact within the work. It has nothing really to do with Sergey's body, Sergey was naked in the first piece I did, and as a dancer, has always moved beautifully in front of the camera. What's changed, is how Richard views the body in front of him, and the ways in which both artist and model have pushed each other to cross more boundaries, push more limits, and seek out new and creative ways of telling their stories.
''I really feel like the camera is engaged in a passionate conversation when we shoot. And I think that is because of the connection between us and the affection between us. When we work together there’s a really special chemistry that blends humor, wit, sensuality and imagination. We are working to create something beautifully surrealistic, but we also work to please each other. All of that makes our collaboration special and surprising—at least for us.'
Richard has utilized his muse in numerous different stories and themes, I think one of my favorites being the retelling of classic fairy tales and fables for audiences once not apart of the stories. I also loved how Sergey's journey as an immigrant from Kharkov, Ukraine has played out in so many stories. Sergey's pride, freedom and equality powerfully visible in so many of his images and maybe most of all the joy he feels with the new life he's built, and the relationships he made, since coming to New York.
Today being Sergey's birthday, seemed a perfect time to celebrate the last two years of creative collaborations, and to feature this new set of images that Richard has entitled Rainbow. A rainbows power is both visual, and spiritual. This series highlights both the darkness that precedes, and the cascading colors and light that come, when a rainbow materializes after a storm. The details captured, of light and color over skin, are memorizing, and the sexual power and strength Sergey absorbs from the spectrum of light and color is erotically charged and electric.
Sergey by Richard Rothstein
2019
2018
Check out the second part of this shoot, the wet part....
on PAGE 2 HERE:
on PAGE 2 HERE:
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