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Goodbye Instagram! It was nice while it lasted but for some reason it never felt like a relationship beyond a necessary inconvenience. Black and Paper has decided December 31st will be the last day we post on the social media platform. The thirst is real on Instagram and we are not thirsty. In an Age of Unrepentant Self-promotion mixed with suspect followers and likes, this is not the place for us. It is better focus on our growing web site instead of getting lost in the mix of endless selfies. Black and Paper is about informing along with inspiring; promoting creative people and looking for wonderful things to share with our readers. We try to be genuine. If the product does not fit, we do not recommend like many influencers for hire. For these reasons we decided Instagram or “Instathirst” as we call it did not fit with our philosophy. A Big “THANK YOU” to our followers! We will post more pictures and commentary here on blackandpaper.com
Part 2 of the Black and Paper interview with photographer Brice Hardelin on his exhibition L’Homme Couture: A Photographic Odyssey.
Brice and I had a good time talking about his work over a glass of white wine. His career is going forward in many directions. He had just completed a well received male firemen calendar. He gave me a tour of his collection displayed on the wall of the hotel before continuing our interview.
How did the W Hotel in Paris become involved in this project?
My agent called to ask if I wanted to be a part of Paris Artist. It is an association of 150 artists in the city. The Paris Artist asked if I wanted to exhibit at the hotel. I organized a meeting. I liked the style of the W. It is young, dynamic. When the association asked the hotel who they wanted, the team chose me. I know my pictures are provocative but the W Hotel was supportive of my work. There was no censorship.
What do you think of the artistic state of the world?
There are lots of things. It is too Politically Correct. It is more and more commercial and boring. . If you look at the big fashion magazines there are only places for big names and ads. There is no space for new people. And for the big brands would stay away from images like these on the wall in front of you. For them it is going too far. For me it is not far enough.
Is there a lack of freedom?
No! None! There is no freedom at all because they want the same pictures for their clients. I have nothing against it because they have beautiful products but when you are a person with a different vision who likes to mix things like an African Mask with a Cartier Necklace no magazine would publish it.
What do you think Instagram Photographers who are no considered professionals?
I understand the platform but I have a problem with the business they are doing because they are making people think they are famous. For me they are holiday, vacation pictures. It is nothing! (Laughing) It is reality television. On Instagram everyone wants to know what you are doing for lunch but no one really cares. A person sitting on the toilet then the viewer goes to another image of another person sitting on the toilet! MEANINGLESS! What is the purpose of having 50.000 followers and none of them can buy the product! I use it of course like everyone else.
I am an old fashion photographer. I like prints Internet in a way is the death of photography. I No one wants real pictures. They want one picture after another, quantity over quality.
What is your next project?
The exhibition runs until January. I have an exhibition in Belgium, then, I am looking for an editor for a book of my work. I have editorials but I am thinking about a shoot in Africa.
L’Homme Couture is on display at the W Hotel Paris until January 3rd 2018.
Part 1 of The Black and Paper interview with photographer Brice Hardelin at the W Hotel Paris.
What is the L’Homme Couture Exhibition?
The ideal started with an editorial I did 4 years ago men with women’s accessories and jewelry. I was approached to an editorial for Mellerio, the oldest jewelry house in Paris. The brand was celebrating its 400th anniversary. I had this idea to take a picture of a girl and a guy in their jewelry. They were a bit of surprised because the jewels are normally worn by a woman. The results were fantastic. I liked the images a lot so I decided to continue the story. That is what inspired my exhibition L’Homme Couture.
Is this a gender free exhibition?
We should be beyond labels. If you think about fashion history, men were extravagant. During the Greek and Roman empires, the Renaissance, and the 17th century men wore jewelry and make up. Now everyone wears suits and sports clothes. It is boring! I am a fashion photographer. Except some details, it is all the same. I wanted to show something different, something to make people react. There is no label on this. I am a man born in the 1980’s. There were all these pop groups from David Bowie and Duran Duran who wore make up and stylish clothes. Suddenly in the 21st century, all is conservative.
What attracts you to the male form?
I like muscled guys but thin. Fashion models are quite long. I was fashion photographer for women at first. When I came back from living in Montreal for a time, an agency contacted me to shoot a girl and guy for a test. The agent liked the images of the guys. After that I was getting booked to shoot male models. Other agencies in the city started sending me only male models. I was boxed into the reputation of working well with men. I have been doing it for 10 years. I do editorials with female models but with men time is not constrained. I can shoot fast and explore other elements. With female models there is more time needed to set ups on the hair and make-up.
What style of photographer are you?
Portraitist first then I am a fashion photographer. For me the person is more important than the clothes. I like character and attitude in front of the camera.
L’Homme Couture is on display at the W Hotel Paris until January 3, 2018.
Part 2 of the Brice Hardelin interview will be online soon.
For more information go:Brice Hardelin
Is there a price difference between a Homosexual Date and Heterosexual Date? I learned there is on some levels. While having a pleasant conversation regarding relationships and dating with a straight friend the chatter took a turn dating and investments. Dating for straight men is like an investment. Women like to be wooed,,, romanced. Straight men have to play Romeos to get the Juliet’s.
My friend told me he has to pull out the credit card for dinner, cocktails, and cab service if he thinks he will get to first base or perhaps a homerun. My friend is a red blooded straight man who went through moments of being undersexed.
Imagine his reaction when I told him for homosexual men the investment was cheap. There was a location not far from where we were standing, for only 7 pounds including a free drink; oral sex was like a handshake. His face froze in bewilderment. The moment of disbelief broke once I said I may go there in 2 hours. I asked if he wanted to join but that was a case of too much, too soon.
Bringing our talk back to a reality he would understand, along with the fact I think he a bit jealous. I told him romance is not in the equation when men are prowling for sex with other men. It is physical, a release. No names are involved, no conversation, just gestures, sounds of relief at the end and then all parties go in their respective directions.
The W Hotel Paris Opera is having an exhibition from Parisian photographer Brice Hardelin titled L’Homme Couture.
Black and Paper got an interview and tour of the collection. The interview is coming soon.
Did you know Heterosexual men invest a lot of money and time in the “chase” compared to Homosexual men?
With the extra money homosexual men save from dating, is it any wonder why we wear better shoes?
Stay tuned for the story.
Count down to Black and Paper coverage from Milan Fashion Week starting September 20th. We cannot wait. Fabulosity at its best in the form of shoes, bags, looks, and runway shows from the most fashionable city in the world.
Shaving Cream What?
An ordinary trip to buy shaving cream turned into a journey of admiration, passion, male bonding, and disillusionment. Standing in front of the selection for creams I narrowed down my choices: L’Oreal or Nivea. While I was making my final decision a tall, handsome guy stood walked up to condom display wall next to the men’s grooming section. His decision was more interesting than mine. My attention turned to his face as he was studying the different boxes. All of the sudden the shaving cream was less interesting. What was he going to choose?
His left hand reached for the regular size box of condoms but then moved to the box marked “KING SIZE”. My respect and admiration along with my curiosity levels were turned on. He took the box latter box off the store peg then walked away. My thoughts were running. Safe Sex is still important. Size! Measurements! When was he going to use them? Cell phone number! What is his definition of King Size?
I continued to look over the cans of shaving cream. Suddenly, in a split two seconds, the guy was back, he quickly took the normal size box of condoms then walked away. I wanted to say” FAKE” but held it.
I was crushed. My emotions were played. I easily fell for a misrepresentation of physical manhood packaged in box. I judged a person a marked box and a sexual fantasy. How could this have happened? I felt used, liked the second choice during closing time at a cheap bar. The experience left me shaken.
I did not buy the shaving cream.