Some Bank Holiday magic!

As it's a long weekend I thought it was about time we had a bit of entertainment. So without further ado click the link HERE to see the ever fabulous Kylie Minogue in her most magical moment as a magician with more than a ltttle trick up her sleeve!

This gorgeous burlesque/music hall inspired video was directed by Ellen Von Unwerth one of my favourite photographers and an artist I have featured on this blog before. I love this collaboration between these two creative ladies!

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Bitch! Paris, Ellen Von Unwerth 2007

I have a couple of things to share this week; Firstly Ellen Von Unwerth, who I featured in a post a few weeks back is now exhibiting in London with a show called 'Fraulein'. The model turned photographer has been creating provocative sexually charged images for 15 years and this show highlights some of her favourite pieces from over that time. I wish I could see the work while it's up!

Ellen Von Unwerth's 'Fraulein'
Michael Hoppen Gallery London
Until 28th November 2009

Secondly and somewhat bizzarely I noticed a strange mix of religious iconography and sensuality this morning; My studio is situated opposite Salford Cathedral where the relics of St Therese of Lisieux were recently displayed as part of their journey to religious sites around the world.

I've always meant to pop into the cathedral as it is very impressive from the outside and I like visiting old churches etc as I like the architecture and atmosphere. The Cathedral still has lots of images of St Therese including banners, one of which had this image and tagline printed on it:

I do not regret having surrendered myself to Love

It struck me that this was an interesting choice of words to put with a picture that showed a woman who looks like she could be;
A. in religious rapture
B. in sensual rapture
C. asleep
D. dead.
There are so many layers of meaning between the image and the text. It really made me think about how interpretations of spirituality and sensuality have been mixed together over time, almost as if they could be one and the same? (incidentally, she is dead in this photo! but I didn't know that until I looked it up) Here are some other examples of classic sensual religious iconography:

The ecstasy of St Teresa by Bernini 1647 -52

'Ecstase', Pierre and Gilles 2002

For an interesting article about Pierre and Gilles click HERE.

Another way of exploring the link would be to see what happens when you place the words spoken by St Therese alongside other equally evocative images:

I do not regret having surrendered myself to Love

Which kind of brings me back to the image by Ellen Von Unwerth which you can see at the top of the post...

Ellen von Unwerth

"(Women) are not just there to be admired, they are there to be enjoyed."--Ellen Von Unwerth

This week I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite contemporary photographers Ellen von Unwerth.

I've been seeing her distinctive photos for years now and never realised they were all by the same fantastic artist until I stumbled over something about her in a photography magazine about a year ago.

"I love all the old pictures--of spanking and Bettie Page and corsets. But you can't do spanking in fashion, so I wanted to do a project where I could really let go and get girls who also love those things."--Ellen Von Unwerth on Revenge

The thing I love about this german photgrapher's work is that she seems as fascinated with the female form and all the details of it's apparel as I am! In my work I am constantly inspired by the stories I see hidden in costumes and accessories. I think Unwerth is a master at presenting her own version of these stories in her photography. She also seems to be a big fan of bottoms just like me!

"The mystery in my pictures differentiates them from porn. They tell you a story, but you don't know quite where it's going to take you. They are more ambiguous and activate your fantasies."--Ellen Von Unwerth

'Cherry Liqueur' acrylic on canvas 2008

Earlier this year Kylie Minogue posed for Ellen Von Unwerth for the new TOUS campaign. I love these photos, kylie really looks like she's having a fun time. They are really colourful sexy and girly pictures!