In a pine forest cooler than the rest of the island
Lives a young fisherman with eyes like the sea
He built his own boat and made his own cabin
but he's broken the hearts of the likes like me
Most of my favorite artists and photographers are storytellers. More than just capturing hot men, they create visual tales with beginnings, middles and ends. I love when I can present a visual tale that unveils itself slowly with each scroll down the page. Some of these stories are personal, either capturing and chronicling the model, or distinct point of view of the artist.
Most often with images of the male form, the photographer or director, employ their model in the telling of a specific story, usually a fantasy tailored for a specific audience. Many of the stories depicted are soliloquy's, a visual monologue told through the eyes of the model or through the lens of artist behind the camera.
I especially love when artists tell classic stories through a homonormative optic. I've featured many over the years, most notably, Richard Rothstein's homonormative take on famous Disney characters and fairly tales. Artist Frank Joseph based this series on a classic song, Fisherman's Song, written and performed by Carly Simon for her 1990 album Have You Seen Me Lately.
The song, and the book based on the song that followed, are described as A lyrical tale of an island, and the romance of a man, a woman, and the sea. Like may of Simon's songs, Fisherman's Song is the story of a failed romance. The style is uniquely Simon, lyrical yes, but also a meloncoly folk song, one that stays with you long after listening.
The song made an impact on Frank Joseph, who shares, both it and the artist, have always had deep meaning for him, hitting on him on an emotional level. Frank always wanted to visually bring the lyrics to life, but it took years to actually commit to creating his own visual interpretation of the song.
In order to bring it life, he need just the right model to help with the creation of the characters and visuals. He met just right the man in Alain while on a visit to Amsterdam. Although Dutch, Alain has now made Costa Rica his home, and when Frank met him, saw an essence and the qualities he was looking for to inspire launching the project.
Although this series features the alluring Alain, the music video Frank created features the love story between the Fisherman, and his lover. Their time together was cut short, not due to a fight, or another man, but for a reason, small, but powerful, that I think many of us have experienced. The fisherman wanted privacy, and although he welcomed in lovers in, their time was limited. Ultimately, the Fisherman craved and a life alone, by himself in his cabin in the woods.
When he cast me adrift at the end of the summer
It was not for another, but his own privacy
I fell apart like a rose, but the scent of my longing
Remains and it weeps like an old willow tree
You can check out the video, featuring Frank and Alain on Youtube HERE:
You can also check out many more images from the shoot on Frank's site HERE:
It's easy to see what Frank saw in Alain which inspired him to bring him into the project. Alain has that soulful look need to for the role and the song. He also has a strong, rugged look, making it easy to believe he's spent long hours at sea and built his own cabin and life in the woods. Alain's fisherman is equally passionate with temporary lovers, and with permanent privacy and partnerless peace.
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