Albino Peacock (Rose Red), 2012
Animals is an exhibition presenting the young photographer latest obsession: Color studio portraits of nude models interacting with live animals.
The result is an intriguing body of work, which is at once: raw, daring, morbid, highly crafted, tender and sexual.
One must wonder how did he create these images? According to the press release ?The artist visited various sanctuaries, zoos, and rescue establishments across the United States, erecting a mobile studio wherever possible and working with a number of pre-eminent animal trainers. The animals are not mere props in photographs of people; on the contrary, McGinley considers them the subjects of these images. There exists both tension and tenderness between the models and wild animals, as they claw, clutch, nibble, and hug one another.?
I could write about almost each one of these irresistible images. If I would share about the way the entire exhibition makes me feel, I have to confess my mixed feelings. On one hand, I feel quite uncomfortable as I don?t want to think about what the animals went through in the photo sessions. Or how they arrive there, particularly the exotic ones. And, about how they ended up hanging in a gallery in trendy SoHo, New York City. But, I suppose, art ? like medicine, beauty and other sectors ? somehow justifies it. On the other hand, I marvel at such interesting exhibition. I love some of the images.
?This body of work has two starkly contrasting sides,? writes the gallery ?epitomized by two of the photographs on view. In the comical Dakota (Marmoset), a tiny monkey hangs from a male model?s pubic hair (see below), partly obscuring his genitals. The human legs and torso are covered in scratches and the marmoset stares directly at the camera, wearing an expression of apparent shock. In Parakeets (see below), a flock of lushly colored birds tears across a blue background while a girl, face obscured by a blurred green and white wing, stretches out her arms in an imitation of flight. The barroom roughhouse of the former and dulcet elegance of the latter act as the exhibition?s counterweights. Where the first piece is grotesque and lascivious, as humorous as it is horrifying, the other ? a gushing moment of poetic beauty ? strikes a profound emotional and visual harmony.?
Marmoset (Horizon Blue), 2012
Parakeets, 2012
The candy-colored backgrounds also adds to the entire experience. Pop colors, in tandem with the improbable relationships between the animals and people, situate the photographs firmly within the province of the surreal and psychedelic.
You can experience Animals by yourself. If you are in New York City walk down to Soho or online at the artist?s website.
In 2003, at the age of 25, McGinley was one of the youngest artist to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art. He was also named Photographer of the Year in 2003 by American Photo Magazine. In 2007 McGinley was awarded the Young Photographer Infinity Award by the International Center of Photography.
Animals, the show will run from 02 May through 02 June, 2012. Team Gallery is located at 83 Grand Street, between Wooster and Greene, on the ground floor.
Guineafowl (Azure), 2012
Ibex (Dusty Coral), 2012
Albino (Milky), 2012
Richard (Donkey) 2012
Lemur (Carolina Blue), 2012
Baby Porcupine (Honey Gold), 2012
Peacock (Rose Quartz), 2012
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