Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Tom Bianchi:
On the Couch Volume Two


"My books usually start with a simple idea, which when unleashed, finds its own trajectory through my life. My initial idea for On The Couch was to invite men who were comfortable (or wanted to be comfortable) expressing their sexual energy for my camera. The question I asked in Volume One was, “Can we look each other in the eye and tell each other who we are and what we want. Can we share what we find wonderful about sex.?”


This initial idea, headwaters, if you will, have traversed the plains of my life and become at times a raging stream and powerful river, providing new routes for those of us on the journey of self actualization through the exploration of our sexual essence. Just as the stream insists on its own path as it seeks the ocean, the examination of our sexual desires leads us to an honest connection with our selves, our soul’s true goal. At times, this river accelerated to flood stage, sweeping old ideas and ways of being – fears and limitations – from our lives. That certainly has been the case for me.


Many of the men who appear here have told me that this also is the case for them. As Oscar Wilde observed, “Life would repeat itself tediously were it not for the demonic changes art forces upon it. The artist makes models of experience which people rush to try out.” On The Couch has become an opportunity for many men who want to express their sexual power to do so in a safe and beautiful environment – safe and beautiful in the sense that their whole selves are respected here.


I am now publishing this record in all the media available to me. In addition to the initial telling of their stories at TOMBIANCHI.COM, the project is now being published as a video series, a TV series, illustrated lectures, gallery exhibitions, books, cards, calendars and refrigerator door magnets – a most democratic art form. I have described On The Couch as my Sistine Chapel Ceiling. I do not say this out of ego, but rather as a promise of the attention I devote to the project as an artist. What started out as an idea for a book, has now become an intention to create one of the most comprehensive and candid records of human sexual experience ever made.


I know that Michelangelo -- Caravaggio, Gericault, Da Vinci and Winslow Homer -- can be included here-- were talking about their sensual passions in their work. Only a society in deep denial of its sexual yearnings could fail to see this. I believe that had these men lived in a time, as now, when their patrons, the Princes of the State and Church, were losing their power to suppress their humanness, each of them would have been doing something closer to the honesty of On The Couch. They were masters at speaking in code. But I am fascinated by what they might say today if they could. In fact, I am trying to say it for them.


I also expect that my queer ancestor artists would have been attracted to the use of the various media now available. Michelangelo was, after all, the Steven Spielberg of his age. And this is also why in my recent shows of On The Couch photographs, I had many of the most erotic images printed at the scale of heroic figure painting, life size, and larger. Sex is too beautiful, too precious, and too important to our spiritual development to be treated with less respect than I have given it.


Someone recently asked me if I thought these images might one day find their way in the world’s great museums. I answered, it depends upon the world’s becoming more healthy. If we get over our society wide antisexism, if we learn to use to use our sexual energy to increase our experience of love rather than subverting that energy into power trips to boost our self esteem the expense of others, if we come to appreciate the sacredness of this energy, then we may honor the messages that brought us to this higher state of consciousness.


In the meantime, I am content in knowing the power of my work is manifesting itself every day in the real world. Dr. Howard Devore, an individual, relationship, and sex therapist with whom I have worked closely on my own issues these last four years, told me that he has many patients who are uncomfortable with their sexual selves. After seeing the first volume of On The Couch, he said, “Now, when I have a patient with these issues, I can tell them to look at your images to see what being comfortable with one’s self sexually looks like.”


As a believer in the healing power of art, I can’t imagine a higher purpose – or more personally satisfying a goal – to which to devote myself." (Book intro by Tom Bianchi, 2004)

www.tombianchi.com

Photobook, hardcover, 120 pages, 8.5 x 9 inch, 22 x 23 cm

Thursday, December 07, 2006

wallcalendar 2007:

Sam Carson: L.A. Boys from behind

Bright outlooks: Sam Carson´s boys are showing off their voluptuous butts and more. Unobstrusive yet forceful eroticism make these photos take flight!

www.samcarson.com

Monday, December 04, 2006

wallcalendar 2007

Joe Oppedisano: Testosterone

Butch hunks artfully presented in expressive poses – a fascinating masterpiece!

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Kingdome19, Henning von Berg: Universal

Kingdome 19 and Henning von Berg are probably well known to most fans of erotic photographs of men. Kingdome 19 has made a name for himself over the years through his unusual, graphically reworked nude photography. Henning von Berg is a shooting star of the German photography scene and his photos are now shown all over the world. Both artists live in Berlin and got together for this extravagant book project for the first time to gain some new perspectives on their work.

These exciting double tone pictures show striking, extremely well hung male bodies, very skillfully staged. Special laboratory processing gives

these photographs an unusually graphical look, giving rise to a dreamy
mood. In solo portraits, sometimes bizarre, sometimes classically elegant, we see dream bodies that fire up our own desires. The result is a darkly expressive, immensely powerful book of photos presenting pure male eroticism in 160 pages of intense images. Fascinating!

www.kingdome19.de
www.henning-von-berg.com

photobook, hardcover, 160 pages, 7x 9.5 inch, 18 x 24,5 cm


European Champion Kickboxer

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Howard Roffman: Peter & Petr

Two Bel-Ami boys in Howard Roffman’s masterly presentation.


Roffman’s stylized stories of Bel-Ami boys Peter and Petr capture rarely seen moments of natural intimacy. Roffman gives his models the space to be themselves, and the romantic scenes, a combination of tenderness and sensuality, entice the observer to lose himself in his own dreams.


After countless successes with his books and exhibitions, Howard Roffman has, in a very short time, become one of the most important photographers of homoerotic photo art.

www.howardroffman.com

Photobook, hardcover, 120 pages, 8.5 x 9 inch, 22 x 23 cm

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

wallcalendar 2007

Howard Roffman: The Boys of Bel Ami

The seasons highlight. Howard Roffman meets Bel Ami – sensual, affectionate, extraordinary!

www.howardroffman.com

Friday, November 24, 2006

wallcalendar 2007

Giovanni: Private Parts


Man’s best bit perfectly presented. Giovanni approaches the cock respectfully yet shamelessly…

www.bites-by-giovanni.com

blog post BITES by Giovanni
blog post PRIVATE PARTS by Giovanni


Thursday, November 23, 2006

wallcalendar 2007

Chi Chi LaRue: XXXclusive

Rascal video’s exclusive models in hot solo portraits – horny, kinky, lovely!

www.chichilarue.com
www.rascalvideo.com
www.channel1releasing.com



Wednesday, November 22, 2006

wallcalendar 2007


From the successful American photographer Jeff Palmer. Powerful black-and-white pictures show the sensuality of perfectly built male bodies. Seductive!

www.jeffpalmer.com



Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Howard Roffman: Friends & Lovers



Photobook, hardcover, 176 pages,8.25 x 9.5 inch, 21,2, x 24,5 cm

The well-known American photographer Howard Roffman is presenting his fifth and very breathtaking photobook. His intimate photos and his skilled way of dealing with natural light have won Roffman an extensive, global fan base. This is an episodic narrative in which we are permitted to observe young couples full of naturalness, tenderness and suspense, in various constellations. The authenticity of these photographs is what makes them so charming – the photos of young men who live out their emotions in front of the camera uninhibited.

Howard Roffman is fully committed to the representation of young men and their lives in his work. Like no other he manages to capture images of his boys, their passions and their search for tenderness behind the pose. Sensitively and respectfully he documents the awakening sexuality of young men. His images depict ethereal beauty and candid authenticity.

www.howardroffman.com

Monday, November 20, 2006


Sam Carson: First Exposure


In his first illustrated book „First Exposure“ Sam Carson shows a variety of handsome, young men. None of the models shows the self-consciousness of a „first time“, in fact their youthful freedom impresses: casual, self-confident and offensive – and all of them yummy. Sam Carson presents each and every boy in his most beautiful look.

Samuel Carson began his architecture studies at Oklahoma State, graduating with top honors, and launched his career at the esteemed San Francisco firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merril. There he explored the International style, and soon moved to Los Angeles to finish his Master’s work at the UCLA School of Architecture.

It was around this time that Carson picked up the camera as an architectural tool, which eventually turned his design studio into a destination for models and people who sought out his unique vision. During the last twenty years Carson has designed over 100 buildings throughout Southern California, and photographed over 5000 models. He has received awards for ground-breaking buildings such as the Irvine Atrium and the infamous Universal Studios Tower Building. Sam is currently working on two private homes and several buildings in Oklahoma, while always keeping his photography very alive and well.

Find more information on Sam Carson at www.samcarson.com

Friday, November 17, 2006

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Thursday, November 16, 2006

Kristen Bjorn: Stallions

At long last, here is Kristen Bjorn
´s third opulently illustrated book published by Bruno Gmünder. For years an important institution in the pornographic line of business, we present the most beautiful pictures taken from our newest films: masculine men of all nations in portrait and exciting group shots. If you are looking for vigorous stallions – be sure to strike gold!

Kristen Bjorn´s guys let the pages rustle with electricity! Bjorn´s collection assembles a large variety of body and skin types – all of them united in the expression of vibrant self-confident sexuality and with irresistable sex-appeal. The exotic settings further fuel the viewer´s imagination. On 112 large-size pages and in Bjorn´s familiar brilliant colours he shows us once again what we – indifferent of our colour of skin – all share together: cracking eroticism! Kristen Bjorn once again succeeds to live up to his famous reputation!

Kristen Bjorn, born in 1957, began his carrier in 1981 as a performer at the Falcon studios. In 1989, he published his first hard core video. Ever since, he has been shooting exceedingly successful gay erotic films worldwide.

www.kristenbjorn.com

Photobook, 112 pages, full color, Hardcover, 21 x 28,5 cm / 8.25 x 11,25”

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Steven Vaschon: Rear View 2

The distinct & conceptive nude photography of Steven Vaschon turns special attention to the male backside with utmost respect and enthusiasm. Vaschon does not picture it as a fetish but pays homage to the perfect synthesis between creativity and sensuality. Already his first illustrated book was devoted to the male behind. “Rear View” (2003) exclusively contained black-and-white pictures in a rather compact format. With Rear View 2 we present a genuine large size and colorful illustrated book.

Vaschon´s photographs combine warm, inviting colors with a clear composition. The artist in most cases works with daylight in order to make sure that the flawless bodies of his men come to their own right. This 96-page illustrated book is a must for every enthusiast of the male posterior and wonderful esthetics and undoutebly will continue the success of its predecessor.

Steven Vaschon was born on the Hawaiian Islands. He has been working as a graphic designer for a number of years. Only some years ago he discovered photography as his ideal means of expression and since then works hard and with much success to perfect his male nude photography. The photographer lives in San Francisco, California.

www.amazingphotos.net

Photobook, hardcover, 96 pages, 8.25 x 11.25 inch, 21 x 27,5 cm