I cannot vote, so I'll tell you! Stiv Bators is a work of art that is elevated over The Cramps work of art. Without knowing the story behind the image, the viewer knows "something happened!"
I went for Stiv for a whole variety of reasons - and I don't know if you knew him, but he was the nicest guy. I used to threaten him when he did stupid things that I would reveal that secret - that he was not a menacing punk rocker, but a Nice Catholic Boy. I also called him "Steven" when I got mad at him - and only his parents, girlfriend and best pal from high school ever got away with that!
The only one of this choices that was a complete kook to me personal, and who ran away to his tour bus as I was escorted away and down the street was Lux. The security escorting me was chill when I stated I was walking and it’s was unnecessary to grab me,,a block down the street asked “so why’d they throw you out anyway?” My reply “All I did was start a pit which was maybe 5 people before security threw me out the back into Luxs face”
“Are you fucking serious? Fuck that place,” as he tore off his security vest and threw it on the ground “.. I just out of Folsom 2 weeks ago, let’s go shoot some pool and get some beers!” Which we did. Looking forward to seeing you Shalahs substack show.
Oh actually, I bet we know some people in common. I’m sure you remember the Pig Children?”
I’d choose the Cramps portrait for the fluid depth of the composition, the way our eyes follow one pair of eyes after another across the surface of the image. A movement that’s echoed slightly below with the objects on the table. I think it’s richer visually because of that, and also a bit more chiaroscuro if you want to bring painters into the argument…
to me “chiaroscuro” is a code word for Caravaggio, but I’m sure you gleaned it. I learned more about lighting from rhetorical old masters than from studio lighting instructors
Oh god, that’s Renaissance perfection, I totally get the Madonna del Rosario inspiration. It’s so lovely to have that mixed into the Iggy-nography of the image. I admire your work. My friend Matthew Mishory has a print of an image you shot of Bobby AKA Darby, whom I was close to for a bit of time back in ‘77, and it’s my favourite of any photo I’ve seen of him. And there are so many.
I had a print in a New Orleans gallery when Hurricane Katrina hit. My piece hung above the waterline and the looters weren't interested in art, so I got it back after a few months thanks to the heroic efforts of my dealer. The print was buckled and a stained from the moisture but to my surprise, the first person who saw the piece in my studio bought it because of the the story and associate damage. Now, the collector was from the South ,so they responded to the Katrina pedigree but I don't think an Italian collector is gonna value the story behind your Stiv Bator print. So, show The Cramps piece; nothing wrong with going with a winner...
The thing about the exhibit in Italy is that it is purely decorative and not competitive nor commerce-focused. I feel strongly about the Stiv story. My issue with the Cramps is that you can't take a bad picture of them - which means EVERYONE can take a great photo of the Cramps which makes the photograph itself less unique. The photograph merely says, "I was there."
Well, that's a different thing altogether...Its not often that there's drama beyond what already exists within an image, so yeah, the Stiv piece has some extra "oomph" that adds to its psychic value... And, as pointed out by others on this thread, the damage is thoroughly within the Punk Rock paradigm...
Punk move is to not use the one you’re known for plus you’re articulation of the reason to with stiv is an articulation - not an I should
i realize why i like you
you get me!
I cannot vote, so I'll tell you! Stiv Bators is a work of art that is elevated over The Cramps work of art. Without knowing the story behind the image, the viewer knows "something happened!"
thank you!
You know how Italians are. I think they will appreciate The Cramps photo more.
Are the Italians that much different than the Greeks?
That is a question that has only been brewing for a few thousand years🤣
My ancestors are from the Peloponnese, which is ethnically the same as Sicily…. But we’re ALL Mediterranean!
My cousins talk about “white people” as if they weren’t…
Sounds right
Lux was a fucking prick. Go with Stiv.
I went for Stiv for a whole variety of reasons - and I don't know if you knew him, but he was the nicest guy. I used to threaten him when he did stupid things that I would reveal that secret - that he was not a menacing punk rocker, but a Nice Catholic Boy. I also called him "Steven" when I got mad at him - and only his parents, girlfriend and best pal from high school ever got away with that!
The only one of this choices that was a complete kook to me personal, and who ran away to his tour bus as I was escorted away and down the street was Lux. The security escorting me was chill when I stated I was walking and it’s was unnecessary to grab me,,a block down the street asked “so why’d they throw you out anyway?” My reply “All I did was start a pit which was maybe 5 people before security threw me out the back into Luxs face”
“Are you fucking serious? Fuck that place,” as he tore off his security vest and threw it on the ground “.. I just out of Folsom 2 weeks ago, let’s go shoot some pool and get some beers!” Which we did. Looking forward to seeing you Shalahs substack show.
Oh actually, I bet we know some people in common. I’m sure you remember the Pig Children?”
I’d choose the Cramps portrait for the fluid depth of the composition, the way our eyes follow one pair of eyes after another across the surface of the image. A movement that’s echoed slightly below with the objects on the table. I think it’s richer visually because of that, and also a bit more chiaroscuro if you want to bring painters into the argument…
If you want to bring painters into the argument (and since you invoked chiaroscuro) - check this - I snapped it because in the moment, I reminded me of Madonna del Rosario - the hands. I have since color-corrected it - I just liked that in the un-color corrected iteration, he was all Renaissance gold www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/singer-iggy-pop-performs-live-april-15-1977-at-santa-monica-news-photo/2156853933?slot=66&adppopup=true
to me “chiaroscuro” is a code word for Caravaggio, but I’m sure you gleaned it. I learned more about lighting from rhetorical old masters than from studio lighting instructors
Oh god, that’s Renaissance perfection, I totally get the Madonna del Rosario inspiration. It’s so lovely to have that mixed into the Iggy-nography of the image. I admire your work. My friend Matthew Mishory has a print of an image you shot of Bobby AKA Darby, whom I was close to for a bit of time back in ‘77, and it’s my favourite of any photo I’ve seen of him. And there are so many.
thank you!
I had a print in a New Orleans gallery when Hurricane Katrina hit. My piece hung above the waterline and the looters weren't interested in art, so I got it back after a few months thanks to the heroic efforts of my dealer. The print was buckled and a stained from the moisture but to my surprise, the first person who saw the piece in my studio bought it because of the the story and associate damage. Now, the collector was from the South ,so they responded to the Katrina pedigree but I don't think an Italian collector is gonna value the story behind your Stiv Bator print. So, show The Cramps piece; nothing wrong with going with a winner...
I love your story.
The thing about the exhibit in Italy is that it is purely decorative and not competitive nor commerce-focused. I feel strongly about the Stiv story. My issue with the Cramps is that you can't take a bad picture of them - which means EVERYONE can take a great photo of the Cramps which makes the photograph itself less unique. The photograph merely says, "I was there."
Well, that's a different thing altogether...Its not often that there's drama beyond what already exists within an image, so yeah, the Stiv piece has some extra "oomph" that adds to its psychic value... And, as pointed out by others on this thread, the damage is thoroughly within the Punk Rock paradigm...
The cramps look like an Italian portrait