Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Helmut Newton Exhibit

Helmut Newton heats up Paris this spring with a major retrospective of his iconic images at the Grande Palais, that confirms his position as the most influential photographer of the sexually liberated, unapologetic-ally narcissistic and strong willed woman of the 20th Century. This  editorial image of a romance between two women decked out in Saint Laurent Couture was shot for Paris Vogue in 1975 and features the infamous model GIA, a perfect heroin to star in a Newton fantasy. The precision with which he composed this pose and  directed the position of those exquisite hands are pure Newton. No detail was too small for his eye and one can be sure his awareness of the work of the greatest artists ( painters, sculptors, graphic artists) throughout history was extensive. Lesson: learn from the Masters, then put your won spin on it.