Overview

Platon's Republic embodies a dynamic collection of unique celebrity portraits by the groundbreaking British-born, New York-based, fashion photographer Platon. Over 120 photographs have been selected from an enormous range of powerful images taken over the last decade: altogether they constitute an unprecedented cross-section through the cult of fame and power. Platon's Republic is a window on to today's media-led culture that bombards, and sometimes overwhelms, us with images of world-wide importance juxtaposed with those of frivolity. This aesthetically magnetic edition replicates the same intense and sometimes surreal experience with portraits of US and UK celebrities such as Al Pacino, Bill Clinton, Vivienne Westwood and Leonard Cohen - as well as documentary photographs of Jesse Jackson and Bianca Jagger protesting against the death penalty and football supporters. Granted extraordinary access to some of the West's most powerful people, Platon's subjects are all leaders in their field. Whether they are from the TV industry, politicians, actors, fashion designers, writers or musicians, each individual subject wields enormous influence within their arena. Platon's portraits are distinctly graphic and intimate: the unusual angles he adopts to capture his subjects' revealing expressions are his hallmark. This book comprises not only the most extensive compilation of Platon's work today, but a thought-provoking and absorbing document of human character in general.

Full Product Details

9780714844084

Table of Contents

Reviews

'For once, a set of photos worth the cover price. British Vogue awarded him 'Best-Up-And-Coming Photographer' at the tender age of 24 and now we can see why. - an eclectic mix of portraits - stunning collection. - Beautiful images aside, Platon has added fascinating handwritten descriptions of some of his subjects - Whether you're a budding David Bailey or just appreciate really gorgeous photos, this is definitely one book worth owning' Heat, June 2004 ' - intimate anecdotes in the form of - handwritten notes, - combined with powerful images, will make you want to give this 'coffee-table' book pride of place in any living room' Expresso, 2004 'his work suggests an unusual intimacy' GQ, April 2004 Part personal scrapbook, part cultural documentary, the book features the best of Platon's work. (Mediabistro.com, February 10, 2004) You can almost see the force fields surrounding the cultural icons whose portraits appear in PLATON'S REPUBLIC (Phaidon). Powerful poses and nervy adjacencies (John Kerry, meet Karl Rove) give this book its quick-hit energy, as do raw, emotive images of neo-Nazi skinheads or agonized mourners at Princess Diana's funeral. Among Platon's Scrapbook notes are clues about how he got his shots: by manipulating his subjects, but also by succumbing to their will. (O The Oprah Magazine , June 2004) Finding unexpected angles has become a specialty for Platon, a young British star of portrait photography. His first book, playfully titled Platon's Republic (Phaidon), is alive with the kind of vitality and freshness that's often missing in the static world of celebrity portraiture. (Planet, June 2004) A Photo book that practically jumps off the coffee table and into your lap. (Metro, Wednesday, June 16, 2004)

Author Information

Platon (b.1968) shoots fashion, portrait and documentary work for publications such as Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Esquire, GQ, Premiere, Arena, The Face, Nylon and Newsweek. He has photographed campaigns for Nike, Levis, IBM, Ray Ban, Issey Miyake, Moschino, Kenneth Cole and Motorola. His portraits are the result of unique access to his sitters and the desire to create a new range of cultural heroes. Platon is dynamic and dedicated: his portraits are an unusual mix of grit and gloss. Unlike any other photographer of his calibre, he bridges the gap between the US and the UK, epitomizing the sense of the word 'international'.

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