Dash Snow

Snow began taking photographs as a teenager, he said, as a record of places he might not remember the next day.

Like photographers Nan Goldin, Larry Clark and Ryan McGinley his photos depict scenes of a sex, drug taking, violence and art-world pretense with candor, documenting the decadent lifestyle of a group of young New York City artists and their social circle.

Some of Snow's later collage-based work was characterized by his practice of using his own semen as a material applied to or splashed across newspaper photographs of police officers and other authority figures.

Snow died on the evening of July 13, 2009, at Lafayette House, a hotel in lower Manhattan. His grandmother Marie-Christophe de Menil was quoted as saying that he died of a drug overdose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dash_Snow

Mary Woronov

A few years back I was walking through the isles of Barnes & Noble and I found a book that got my attention. "Wake for the angels". I do love angels, which is why I stopped to look at it in the first place. But then I was captured by the paintings that illustrated the book: fluid bodies that look about to burst in flames or to disintegrate or to materialize outside the book. A strong dose of pesimism or realism. Stories with a strange mix of sarcasm, nostalgia, sadness. It was not really so much about angels, as it was about Los Angeles. I walked out with the book in my hand.

I was never too sure who the author was. At that time I had not been painting for a long while, and yet I found the paintings so inspiring. I loved the stories, and I loved just browsing through the pages, knowing that there was a sensibility there that I could not completely figure out but I could certainly enjoy.

Yesterday I wanted to look up the author of the book and see if she had anything else. Well, was that a surprise... You'll see. During the last two years I've been very interested in Andy Warhol, reading his books (Philosophy of Andy Warhol, Popism), books about him, a collection of his nudes... Watching "Factory Girl"... Anyway, absorbing everything I can about him. During the last couple of weeks I have also been in a very Lou Reed mood, listening to Lou and Metallica's new album, Lulu. Watching "Far away so close", in which Lou Reed has an important role. Listening to Nico.

So, was it surprising to learn that Mary Woronov, author of the book, also happened to be an important figure in the Andy Warhol scene!

American actress, artist and writer. "Mary Woronov first made headlines in the early 1960s as a Warhol superstar. She danced with Exploding Plastic Inevitable, Warhol's multimedia presentation of the Velvet Underground.

Woronov's notable appearances include in the 1975 cult film Death Race 2000 and 1979's Rock 'n' Roll High School (and the 1991 sequel Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever), but her breakthrough role was in the 1982 cult film Eating Raoul. " [Wikipedia]



Affair, by Mary Woronov



Demon, by Mary Woronov

They took George into the woods and tortured him for hours, by Mary Woronov

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Woronov

http://www.maryworonov.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Angels-Mary-Woronov/dp/1885203004

Joel-Peter Witkin

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Francesco Salomoni

Francesco Salomoni is an Italian artist currently residing in Florida. I first saw his works on eBay. His portfolio presents a few different styles, with some abstract paintings aside a number of female nudes. I just have to say that I found his paintings of nude females refreshing in their simplicity.

He also includes a number of drawings. Some of them appear to have been sketches for paintings, usually with a couple of minor differences. He also has an area dedicated to photography and a self-published photography book.

"Nude American Girl" by Francesco Salomoni.

Website: http://www.francescosalomoni.com

Noewi

A great artist and a wonderful person, Noewi shares a lot of her creative process with her fans through the Facebook page. Her paintings are playful and naughty (but nice) expressions of intimacy, beauty, femininity and masculinity.
Personally, I love this one, which her fans were able to see evolve from the initial drawing to the final painting.
Exposed, by Noewi


Noewi (Jindra) was born and raised in Czech Republic, and currently resides in the Tampa Bay area. Besides her paintings, she creates murals and faux finish, and is available for commissions.

Website: http://noewisart.com/

Online store: http://jindra-noewi.fineartamerica.com/

eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Noewis-Art

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/NoewiArtist?sk=info

Fannybunda @ Flickr

Bruce states in his profile: "many of my pictures involve nudity, I hope tastefully done. I believe that nudity need not be sexual. It can simply be an expression of the beauty and natural goodness of all creation"

"Photography is fun. It's a chance to express oneself and be creative in new ways. I like to experiment and try different things. But I also try not to take myself seriously. I am sure that many times I will play the fool--either intentionally or unintentionally."

Some of his self portraits are very inspiring, such as the one below. He has quite an extensive photo stream, including festivals in San Francisco, nude beaches, landscape, etc etc.



Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fannybunda/

William Wegman: Flo Day - Lift Off

As we watch the last launch of a space shuttle, William Wegman posted this wonderful image on his blog:



http://wegmanworld.typepad.com/wegman_world/2011/07/flo-day-lift-off.html

Casey Anthony Plain Nude Pancakes Art Auction by Dan Lacey

As Florida and the country got obsessed with the trial of Casey Anthony, Dan Lacey, the Painter of Pancakes, graces us with a series of paintings of Casey Anthony with pancakes, duct tape, etc. This and other Casey Anthony paintings are currently listed on eBay, just visit Dan Lacey's blog to see more.



http://faithmouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/casey-anthony-plain-nude-pancakes-art.html

Rik Garrett - Photography and Magic Together

I've been following Rik Garrett on blogspot and livejournal for a while. What first caught my attention was his use of traditional techniques, like wet plate photography. In our time of digital photography and photoshop, finding artists that take the time to work with real materials is always a treat.

But beyond that, Rik was expressing something more primal with his work. His dedication to create books that were allegorical to Alchemy and Magic, whether a spiritual quest or a metaphor for the photographic process and the artistic creation, is very thought provoking.

From his Earth Magic series:



More recently, Rik created a hand made book called Symbiosis, in a limited edition. The images were created by painting with acrylic paints over original photographs. This is one of the images from the Symbiosis series:



Website: http://www.rikgarrett.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rikgarrettphotography

Blogspot: http://rikgarrett.blogspot.com

William Wegman

I first heard about William Wegman in a Polaroid forum, where they referred to him as the artist that took Polaroid photos of Weimaraner dogs. Such a statement would be an over simplification of a complex and deep artist.



I went to his website. After a short visit all I knew was that I wanted to buy something from his store, I wasn't sure what but I loved everything that I was seeing.

Let me start by the medium. Yes he was shooting polaroid photos, but not your regular polaroid that you could (at that time) get film for at your corner pharmacy. No, William was using one of the few Polaroid 20x24 cameras, an impressive creation from 1978 that shoots photos on 20x24 inch instant film. This camera has been used by such diverse artists as Andy Warhol, Spencer Tunick, Lady Gaga and many many others. The camera per se is a very impressive object... and to this day, it remains in use in select locations such as the 20x24 studio in New York - see links at the end of the entry.


Photo taken from http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0913/life-art-photography-cameras-polaroid-land-grab.html


Then, the photos themselves, were far from simple photos of pets. William Wegman has been experimenting with his dogs as models/muses from the late 70s, and his dogs have become experienced and willing models in the creative process. Let's let a couple of photos from his books speak for themselves.






For those who had the pleasure of growing up watching Sesame Street, these dogs might look a bit familiar. William Wegman has also created films, including several segments for Sesame Street.



I have in my collection two of his books.

Polaroids





and

Fashion Photographs



How could I resist them? I've been to an exhibit of some of his polaroids at a local museum. It was a great time.

Website: http://www.wegmanworld.com/

Online store: http://www.wegmanstore.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WilliamWegman?ref=ts&sk=wall

Tumblr: http://williamwegman.tumblr.com/


Also, as reference, the 20x24 studio on

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/20x24-Studio/126024313416?sk=wall

Website: http://20x24studio.com/

Dan Lacey, the Painter of Pancakes

I first heard of Dan Lacey when he posted some of his art to the wft_art community in LiveJournal. It was certainly fitting artwork: nude Obama and Penelope the unicorn? Pancakes?


Obama Unicorn / Oddysey Dawn

Yeah, art can have humor and strange obsessions. Looking at Dan Lacey's work I see both things, humor and obsessions. Celebrities (with pancakes). No more pancakes for Osama Bin Laden. Political statements. Symbols. Eroticism. I can say I'm becoming a fan and look forward to each new post, whether in LJ, blogspot or facebook, and upcoming auctions on eBay.

My personal favorite so far has been a portrait of a nude man looking for a cat under the bed.


Male nude on bed looking for cat

Website: http://www.faithmouse.com/

Blogger: http://faithmouse.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Lacey/109095222452474

Jack Gescheidt and the TreeSpirit Project

Jack Gescheidt is a California based photographer, environmentalist (East coast roots) and treehugger (West coast growth). His TreeSpirit Project is a collection of environmental art photographs by Jack Gescheidt—all made with volunteers—to draw attention to the critical role trees play in our lives and the ecosystem of which we are a part.

In 2007 he made a photograph to celebrate the Memorial Oak Grove in Berkeley, which was later destroyed as part of a development project. (I remember crying that day following the news coverage).

His most recent photo, displayed below, was made in John's Island in SC, around the Angel Oak to draw attention to the oak's grandeur and raise concerns about a developer's plans to build apartments and shops on a larger tract adjacent to the small Johns Island park where the tree lives.

"Angels" © 2011, Jack Gescheidt, posted with kind permission from the artist.

Being a photographer working with nudity in public places is not always a peaceful walk in the park, and this photoshoot attracted the attention of the police as covered in the video and related story. Fortunately for us, a beautiful photograph was made and no arrests were made. You can also read more in the photographer's blogspot page.

Website: http://www.treespiritproject.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TreeSpirit-Project/282430224528

Blogspot: http://treespiritproject.blogspot.com/

Arthur S. Mole, John D. Thomas, Albert Arthur Allen

To understand Spencer Tunick, you need to look back in time.

Arthur S. Mole and John D. Thomas


"Living Portrait of Woodrow Wilson" created in 1918 with 21,000 officers and men


"Human Statue of Liberty" (1918); 18,000 officers and men

In the 1930s you can find photographer Albert Arthur Allen with very classical nude studies. However, from his production, a particular series stands out by creating textures through the use of several models in repeated or complimentary poses:

Spencer Tunick

http://www.spencertunick.com

Spencer Tunick became known by his photos of groups of nude models in apocalyptic formations in the streets of New York, and then embarked in a country wide tour photographing nude people in every state, which was released as a documentary called Naked States. A few years later a follow up documentary called Naked World was released.

As the masses of naked people increased, Spencer reunited 18,000 people in the Zocalo in Mexico, a number difficult to top.

Personally, I find more compelling and poetic his individual portraits and smaller groups. The image below was, chronologically, prior to the naked states tour.

Even after the El Zocalo installation, Spencer did a new series of individual portraits both in Mexico and Europe.

Ever since I saw Naked States, Spencer Tunick became a source of inspiration. I wished to be a part of one of his installations, and I also wanted to get back into photography. I was dealing with body image issues at the time -which I would soon realize were a phobia from my childhood. Well, it took a few years (and I had time to get back into arts and photography before it happened), but in 2007 I was part of one of his installations, at the Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach, where the photo below was taken.

Website: http://www.spencertunick.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spencer-Tunick-Official-Page/143499359000854

Now, several critics in the art scene don't give a lot of credit to Spencer Tunick. I've heard too often that he just keeps doing the same thing over and over, and that the most common reaction to his photos is: "wow, that's a lot of naked people". Heck, I've seen people react that way as well.

I think that:

* Spencer Tunick found a niche and has remained consistent in his work in that niche. Whether he is doing individual portraits, small groups, parties, or large scale installations. His exploration is about the nude figure on concrete, against a urban backdrop, in a non-glamour, non-sexualized format.

* Spencer Tunick's art has a certain community reach. It speaks to people, to non-artists who feel the desire of liberating their own inhibitions, improve their self image and relationship to their bodies, or just enjoy a socially nude environment and the transgression of being naked or seeing the nude figure where they would normally not be allowed to disrobe. Perhaps this community involvement is something that elitists and critics dislike. Art traditionally is something that the public gets to see from a distance, not something that they get to participate of.

* There is the old-age question of what is art, and what is expected of art. Perhaps we are looking for a too intellectual response to an idea that doesn't need to be that intellectual. Perhaps it's as simple as seeing an empty wall and wanting to draw a graffiti on it. Perhaps Spencer saw the grey concrete and wanted to pour some flesh on it to see what it would look like, and he just liked it.