Tom Bianchi - Art of the Kiss Wall Calendar - Male Beefcake - B/W Photography VG For Sale

KISS:1999 Tom Bianchi Calendar: “A 16 Month Calendar Boldly Redefining the Art of the Kiss”

This vintage 1999 KISS calendar features captivating black-and-white photography by the renowned Tom Bianchi.

• Title: “Kiss: A 16 Month Calendar Boldly Redefining the Art of the Kiss”

• Photographer: Tom Bianchi

• Year of Production: 1999

• Material: Gloss paper

• Image Color: Black & White

• Subject: Male Human Form, Queer Affection, Beefcake, Nudity, B/W Photography

  Condition: Very Good.

The models featured in “Kiss” are not your average subjects. They embody male beauty and strength. The sculpted physiques of these fitness models are captured kissing in intimate moments that celebrate their soft power and sensuality.

• Robert Mapplethorpe: A friend of Tom of Finland, Mapplethorpe’s provocative photography explored themes of sexuality, masculinity, and fetishism. His work is both sensual and confrontational.

• Tom of Finland (Touko Valio Laaksonen): Tom of Finland’s influence on queer erotic art is immeasurable. Tom’s hyper-real, hypermasculine style has inspired countless artists and subcultures. His muscular figures exude confidence and desire.

Alongside other pioneering gay photographers—such as Ken Duncan, Jim French, Ken Haak, and Herb Ritts—Tom Bianchi played a crucial role in reintroducing the affectionate male nude into mainstream visual arts.

Tom Bianchi’s preferred medium is black and white photography. By removing images one step away from reality, he highlights the textural, sculptural, and sensual qualities of light on the body. His work transcends the ordinary color-filled world, compelling viewers to see differently.

1. Artistic Sensibility: Tom Bianchi’s photography transcends mere nudity. It celebrates the male form with an artistic eye, capturing moments of vulnerability, connection, and raw beauty.

2. LGBT Representation: In a time when LGBTQ+ visibility was still evolving, this calendar boldly showcased the male body in all its unapologetic glory. It’s a celebration of queer love, friendship, and identity.

3. Biographical Context: Tom Bianchi, born in 1945, is an acclaimed gay photographer. His work extends beyond aesthetics; it’s a testament to the human experience.

4. Collector’s Item: Limited in production, this calendar is a piece of LGBTQ+ history. It’s not just a timekeeper; it’s a conversation starter, a window into a pivotal era.

5. Free Shipping: Packed in Cardboard for protection. Expedited Shipping available. Sent with love from Haight Ashbury, San Francisco.

Don’t miss out on this chance to own a slice of Tom Bianchi’s legacy. Whether you gift it to a friend, or keep it as a collector’s item, the “Kiss: 1999” calendar is a beautiful celebration of queer life, love, and friendship.

About the photographer

Tom Bianchi was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago before moving to Albuquerque where he studied political science at the University of New Mexico. In 1976 Tom moved to New York and became Senior Counsel at Columbia Pictures.

Tom Bianchi graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in 1970. He became a corporate attorney, eventually working with Columbia Pictures in New York, painting and drawing on weekends. His artwork came to the attention of Betty Parsons and Carol Dreyfuss and they gave him his first one-man painting show in 1980. In 1984, he was given his first solo museum exhibition at the Spoleto Festival. After Bianchi\'s partner died of AIDS in 1988, he turned his focus to photography, producing Out of the Studio, a candid portrayal of gay intimacy. Its success led to producing numerous monographs, including On the Couch, Deep Sex, In Defense of Beauty, and Fire Island Pines. In 1993 Tom co-founded a biotech company with the mission of developing new HIV/AIDS therapies.

During his years as a lawyer, Tom collected art as an outlet for his long held desire to make art. In 1979, his passion overcame his fear. He quit his job, tore up his law degree and pasted it in a painting titled ESQ.:

Notes From a Lawyer Who Left. Betty Parsons and Carole Dreyfus introduced Tom\'s work with a debut one-man show of paintings in New York in 1980.

Since that show, Tom has produced paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs which have been shown and collected throughout the world, including a show at the Spoleto Festival in 1984 in which a significant amount of his work was assembled at the museum in Charleston. To date, Tom\'s work has been the subject of 20 one man exhibitions and has been included in over 40 group shows.

Three books of Tom\'s photographs have been published by St. Martins Press, \"Out of the Studio\", \"Living with Dickens\" and \"Extraordinary Friends\". The fourth book, \"Bob & Rod\", a photo essay about Bob & Rod Jackson-Paris was published in September 1994.

Tom Bianchi’s photography and Abercrombie & Fitch aesthetics share some similarities, yet they also diverge significantly.

Tom Bianchi’s Photography:

• Intimacy: Bianchi’s work often captures intimate moments, whether in portraits or candid shots. His focus on human connection and vulnerability resonates with viewers.

• Authenticity: Bianchi’s photographs feel genuine and unfiltered. He captures raw emotions and real-life experiences, especially in his documentation of LGBTQ+ communities.

• Artistic Depth: Bianchi’s compositions exhibit artistic depth, using light, shadow, and texture to evoke emotions. His work transcends mere documentation.

• Nostalgia: Bianchi’s images often evoke nostalgia, whether through vintage aesthetics or personal narratives. They transport viewers to specific times and places.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s branding relies on a polished, aspirational aesthetic. Their also models exude youth, fitness, and beauty, appealing to a mass market. A&F campaigns often emphasize sensuality and desire. Their use of lighting, clothing, and poses creates an alluring, aspirational atmosphere.

• But Consumerism: A&F’s aesthetics serve consumerist goals, promoting clothing and lifestyle. Their images are carefully curated for brand identity.

In summary, while both focus on idealized beauty, Tom Bianchi’s photography delves into authenticity and emotional depth, Abercrombie & Fitch prioritizes commercial appeal. 🌟