Dear Shaded Viewers,
Photographer Rankin links beauty and death in second phase of his evolving exhibition at 29 Arts in Progress, Milan.
After the success of phase one of Rankin: From Portraiture to Fashion at 29 Arts in Progress Gallery, Milan, Rankin’s show has entered into its winter phase – a conceptual take on the notions of beauty and mortality.
Inspired by the often intertwined themes of death and sensuality in his work; phase two explores Rankin’s editorial pieces to produce a multilayered discussion on light and darkness, hard and soft, life and death. Including images from collaborations with world-renowned make-up artists Andrew Gallimore and Marco Antonio, these pieces take an intimate look at the dark side of desire from across Rankin’s career.
Part of the ongoing project Rankin: From Portraiture to Fashion, taking place across four months in a rotating exhibition of work designed to evolve in time with Milan’s cultural calendar – celebrating, amongst others, Vogue Photo Festival (November), Fashion Film Festival (November) and Women’s Fashion Week (February). Allowingthe photographer to explore not only his own work but the cultural appetites and changing moods of a leading European city.
“I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, so this is a great opportunity for me to showcase some of my best work, have some exciting events and really become part of the cultural fabric of a city.” RANKIN
RANKIN will take live portraits of members of the public with the only original Polaroid Land Camera operating outside of the USA. One of two remaining Cameras of this type working worldwide.
“This camera makes me so excited; It’s a beast to work with and full of weird idiosyncrasies that means no two pictures will come out the same. Being polaroid you only get once chance to get it right, one pose, one click of the camera, but the prints are real works of art.”
An offshoot of Rankin’s ten year project RANKIN LIVE, this is Rankin’s first official public access project with this unique camera. Photographing up to 80 people over this two day event, each paying participant receives their 20×24 inch (50x60cm) portrait along with a signed certificate of authenticity for the experience.
“My favourite photo-shoots involve real people. It’s what I enjoy doing the most. The fact they aren’t celebrities, they haven’t got a publicist of manager telling them how to look and act, they really showcase their true selves. I want to connect with people, I like people being real, not acting up for any kind of fame.”
– RANKIN
