Magnum Digest

The Magnum Digest: February 22, 2019

Gregory Halpern in Vogue, Alex Majoli’s new exhibition, Diana Markosian nominated for World Press Photo Awards, and more

Gregory Halpern Rahm from New Pandemics Modeling Agency. Full look Telfar. New York City. New York. USA. 2018. © Gregory Halpern | Magnum Photos

Gregory Halpern’s Fashion Project on Vogue

Magnum nominee Gregory Halpern’s new work – his first fashion shoot – has been published on Vogue. The project, a collaboration with New York LGBTQ+ model agency New Pandemics was, for the photographer, a continuation of his work exploring beauty and contradiction within a new oeuvre.

You can see the work and read the Vogue feature here. You can see alternate images, and read an interview with Halpern and New Pandemics’ founder Cody Chandler, here on Magnum.

"I often confuse my self-worth with my outward appearance and sometimes this industry exacerbates that mindset. However, I do think that being photographed allows you to play different characters d (...)

Alex Majoli’s New Exhibition Opens in Paris

Alex Majoli’s new exhibition, Scene, was covered in Le Monde and Aesthetica this week. The work was previously also featured in Wallpaper* Magazine. The show, and its accompanying monograph of the same name, see Majoli treading the lines between fiction, art and reportage: creating powerfully theatrical images playing on humanity’s predilection toward performance.

Alex Majoli Scene #0435. Republic of Congo. 2013. © Alex Majoli | Magnum Photos

Diana Markosian’s Quince Work Nominated for WPP

An image from Diana Markosian’s 2018 project, Quince, which followed young women in Cuba as they celebrate coming of age with their quinceañeras, has been nominated in the Contemporary Issues category of the World Press Photo of the Year competition. You can read more about the project, on Magnum, and see the other images nominated for awards here on Newsweek.

Diana Markosian A girl rides around her neighbourhood in a pink 1950s convertible as her community gathers to celebrate her 15th birthday © Diana Markosian | Magnum Photos

Sohrab Hura’s film wins Videonale Award

The Videonale festival has awarded its 2019 prize to Sohrab Hura‘s short film, The Lost Head & the Bird, selecting the winner from 28 nominations. The jury said, “The artist’s video develops a convincing visual language to address the problem[s] of sexual, religious, and political violence.” Find out more about the award here, and read about The Lost Head… and Hura’s use of moving image, here.

Sohrab Hura Video still from 'The Lost Head & The Bird': Single Channel Video, 10 minutes. India. 2017. © Sohrab Hura | Magnum Photos

Sim Chi Yin’s Portrait of Jiang Xue on NY Review of Books

Magnum nominee Sim Chi Yin’s portrait of investigative journalist Jiang Xue was published by New York Review of Books alongside an interview delving into Jiang’s past and the ongoing battle for freedom of both thought and speech in China. See the feature here.

Sim Chi Yin Chinese writer Jiang Xue who now writes bold historical and investigative pieces as a freelancer, often via her own social media channels in Chinese, after being shunted aside as Opinion editor in (...)

Last Chance to Support The New Londoners

Chris Steele-Perkins’ project on London’s diversity saw him photograph 164 families, who collectively hail from 187 countries, over four years. The book’s publication – wryly timed to coincide with Brexit day – is being supported by donations via Kickstarter. You can learn more about the project here on Magnum. More details regarding supporting the book here.

Chris Steele-Perkins From Lesotho and South Africa Mpho McKenzie with partner Joshua whose grand parents were from Jamaica and Monserat respectively. Their chidren are son, Lukah, elder daughter Rae and younger, Aria. (...)

Famed Arts Publisher Xavier Barral Has Sadly Passed Away

Since its founding in 2002, Éditions Xavier Barral published the work of over a dozen Magnum photographers, as well as many other award-winning arts, photography and scientific titles. Its founder Xavier Barral died at his Paris home on February 17. You can read an interview with Barral about the art of the photobook on Magnum, here.

Patrick Zachmann Workshop "Making a book" by Xavier Barral and Patrick Zachmann. Paris, France. 04/21/2018. © Patrick Zachmann | Magnum Photos

Fashion Pioneer Karl Lagerfeld Died, February 19

One of the most recognisable faces in fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, Creative Director of Chanel and Fendi, died on February 19. Many Magnum photographers have photographed the at times controversial figure, over the years. You can browse the Magnum image archive on Lagerfeld here.

Ferdinando Scianna German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Paris. France. 2002. © Ferdinando Scianna | Magnum Photos
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