"Considered one of the 'wonderboys' of American fashion photography, Denis Piel produced sensual, cinematic pictures that helped define the 80s." J.J. Naudet, L’Oeil de la Photographie
(PRWEB) December 06, 2016
In his latest book DOWN TO EARTH, iconic photographer Denis Piel focuses his exquisitely trained eye on the compelling subject that has inspired and captivated artists for centuries: the deeply fecund beauty of nature in its wildest, most naked form.
The raw, evocative, earthy images in DOWN TO EARTH are inspired by the sustainable and regenerative organic farming that Piel and his family practice at Les Jardins du Château de Padiès, the 12th century Renaissance château that Piel has called home since 2002. Photographed over a complete agricultural cycle, fertility and abundance figure heavily into these storyscapes, instilling them with a very real sense of erotic, challenging beauty.
“This new work is a celebration of all that is essential to me. DOWN TO EARTH is a return to basics, a part of my longing to express some of my most precious, personal concepts of life,” says Piel. “The contact with the earth was primal.”
Known for his groundbreaking editorial work during fashion’s halcyon days of 1980’s Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair, Piel is widely acknowledged for illustrating a sense of reality in what might otherwise be an ordinary fashion shoot. Of DK’s first-ever campaign, which depicted a woman in a position of power, Donna Karan has said, “ Denis gave this woman texture, movement and emotion. He communicated her inner and other worlds.”
Piel’s work has always raised an eyebrow; not only for its brave portrayals of his subjects but for its fresh, almost raw honesty. Piel’s eye is now trained on Mother Earth, as sensual a subject as he has ever encountered.
“My pleasure in watching the growth in the gardens made me appreciate the essential nature of what was taking place. It became evident, while observing this process, how vital our relationship with the earth is. The need to propagate, to seed, to pollinate, related so much to our life and it struck a nerve with me.”
Select images from DOWN TO EARTH can be viewed here: view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10020340_316764
Please note: because of PRWeb standards and practices regarding nudity, only landscape photos are included with this release, although full spreads encompassing complete subject matter and cover art are available on the link above and by request.
This signed, limited edition release of only 500 copies contains 168 color and black and white photographs and comes to market just in time for the holiday season, making it a perfect gift for the fine art collector. Additionally, the first 30 copies are a special deluxe clamshell edition, which includes one original signed and numbered archival pigment print. The 204-page book is available at various international booksellers, at amazon.com or direct via denispiel.com.
Denis Piel currently is available for interviews; high definition, non-watermarked images from DOWN TO EARTH are available upon request. For more information, contact publicist Abbe Aronson, abbe(at)abbedoesit(dot)com.
