Pairing: Leah Hawker vs. Ryan McGinley

 

(Leah Hawker) The Origin Nudes 2004 | (Ryan McGinley) Edun clothing campaign 2012

Leah Hawker “The Origin Nudes” Silver gelatin print on fibre paper 8×10″ 2004
Ryan McGinley “Edun clothing campaign” Video 2012

www.leahhawker.co.za/exhibitions/origin-nudes-2004
www.nowness.com/day/2012/2/7/1872/ryan-mcginleys-beautiful-rebels

Ryan McGinley Puma short film

Ryan MacGinley, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Julia Peyton-Jones - short film for Puma

I have long suspected the world of the art photographer is financed by commissions from commerce. Ryan McGinley having already shot for Levi’s, Wranglers (a favourite) and Pringle is no stranger to risking his art in advertising.

His short film for Puma raises the bar a notch in pedigree, as he collaborates with Hans Ulrich Obrist and Julia Peyton-Jones, better known as the directors of London’s Serpentine gallery.

As always he delivers a paean to innocence with nude cyclist couple (Puma bikes surprise surprise) gamboling in orchard sunlight. Very McGinley. The official release can be found online at Wallpaper magazine, with a soundtrack that sounds surprisingly like Woozy with Cider.

However a little digging about revealed a version sans music, only the wind and ambience of recording. Which for me imparts a more engaging atmosphere, a sense of there, rather than voyeurism; stripping it of advertising’s sheen and it’s penchant for ready-made emotion. I suggest heading over to vmagazine and watching it there…

www.vmagazine.com/includes/video/1min.mov

(I realise it’s a few years old but any day can be improved with some vintage McGinley, the man even makes the Winter Olympics beautiful.)