Thanks to Gene X for the info and pics.
Beverly Hills, CA - Photographer Martin Schoeller, who may be best known for his Close Up project debuted his newest project at the Ace Gallery in Beverly Hills on a Wednesday night to a packed house of art fans, critics, celebrities, athletes and even the Mayor of Los Angeles. The project was several years in the making and those in the bodybuilding industry may have noticed Schoeller and his crew at many of the women's pro shows. The final athlete to be photographed was on Sunday morning after the 2008 Arnold Classis, and that was IFBB Pro Kristy Hawkins. While Hawkins' print was not in the exhibition, which is up until April 2008, she will be included in the book when it is published, which will feature over 60 pro bodybuilders.
The prints, which are C-Prints sized 89" (H) x 72" (W) are impressive in their scale, but it's the combination of the subject matter, lighting treatment and the skill of the artist to pull out from the athletes more than is usually exposed. All the athletes are in repose trying for a neutral look. Schoeller purposefully requests this so that other elements of their personalities can come out. The pensive looks belie the strong exteriors, but a vulnerability is shown as well. Some portraits seem regal and powerful such as that of Annie Rivieccio, while some seem more sad.
However, the images really evoke responses from the viewer. They push the viewer not only to examine the person that is presented before them, but to examine themselves at the same time. They may relate and see something of themselves in the photos, which is something most people probably don't think about - what they have in common - especially when you are discussing female bodybuilders.
At the opening, there were also five of the pros on hand to do performances. They included the current Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle, the current Ms. International Yaxeni Oriquen, Annie Rivieccio, Betty Viana, and Rosemary Jennings. During their performances, the women wowed the crowd with their intense muscularity and all were in top shape. Audience members were heard gasping at the visible motions of the muscle groups as the women flexed and posed. With such a mixed crowd, it was interesting to see what the response was to them.
Many echoed a familiar refrain to those involved in the industry saying that they thought originally that muscles on women were kind of gross, but after seeing it in person, one phrase that came up repeatedly was 'inspired' - quite an opposite reaction. Laura Jackman from LA and Shane Lynch were both impressed and left the exhibit with a newer appreciation of the hard work and dedication that's required to develop a physique to that level.
In all, the even would have to have been qualified as a success from both an artistic perspective as well as for the sport and image of women's bodybuilding. At the after party/dinner next door many of the patrons were also intrigued by the women and were asking questions on training, etc. It's clear that the general public has quite an interest in female bodybuilders and hopefully this exhibition and forthcoming book will prove to be a spark for the sport and for the athletes.
