OBAMA’s WH PHOTOGRAPHER, PETE SOUZA, THROWS EXCELLENT “SHADE” AT TRUMP IN HIS NEW BOOK

My old pal, THE go-to book designer for photographers for the past 25+ years, Yolanda Cuomohad a fun holiday book-signing party at her studio in Chelsea. Besides having a blast seeing her grow kids, Luca and Gianni, husband Joe and artist Dad, John, and some old work pals, I got a couple of great signed books. Yolanda has designed over 130, and after she left Vanity Fair, where we met, and started her own studio I helped her on a few, one for The Met, The Waking Dream, which is practically the history of photography.

I got a great out of print book, Sylvia Plachy’s Unguided Tour (Aperture, 1991) photographer extrordinaré (who also gave birth to Oscar-winning actor, Adrien Brody) and Barack Obama‘s photographer Pete Souza. Yo (nickname for Yolanda) has designed books for both of them but it’s Mr. Souza’s new one, Shade, that is particularly relevant as we roll into 2019. 

As Chief Official White House Photographer, Souza spent more time alongside President Barack Obama than almost anyone else. He had an intimate behind-the-scenes view of the unique gravity of the Office of the Presidency —and the responsibility that comes with it.

Now, as a private citizen observing the Trump administration as we all are, he’s throwing EXCELLENT shade on his Instagram (a must-follow) and in this book. As his website says,

“Shade is a portrait in Presidential contrasts, telling the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations through a series of visual juxtapositions. Here, more than one hundred of Souza’s unforgettable images of President Obama deliver new power and meaning when framed by the tweets, news headlines, and quotes that defined the first 500 days of the Trump White House.

What began with Souza’s Instagram posts soon after President Trump’s inauguration in January 2017 has become a potent commentary on the state of the Presidency, and our country. Some call this “throwing shade.” Souza calls it telling the truth.

In Shade, Souza’s photographs are more than a rejoinder to the chaos, abuses of power, and destructive policies that now define our nation’s highest office. They are a reminder of a President we could believe in, and a courageous defense of American values.“

The holidays are over, so buy a copy for yourself. If you’re lucky, like me, you might even get yours signed, a picture and to share a drink with the man and hear a few juicy tales, that I can’t repeat here.

With Pete & Yo in her studio, looking a bit stoned. I wasn’t.

Pete, Yo and son, Luca in her studio, Dec. ‘18

Also, check his first one Obama: An Intimate Portrait.

ANDY WARHOL'S LITTLE-KNOW DOG & CAT PAINTINGS

Andy Warhol loved animals. So, it’s no big surprise that his feline friends and other domesticated animals were made into portrait subjects, some his own beloved dachshund, Archie, others belonged to friends or were private commissions. (I threw in a couple horses too, just for the hell of it.) He was a cat person early on, producing 2 limited-edition books; 25 Cats and One Blue Pussy and Holy Cats by Andy Warhol's Mother. 

After his death in the late 80s, I worked on the 2-volume, slipcased facsimile reproduction of those early books (left) with my pal, book designer, Yolanda Cuomo. Andy’s mother did the lettering for both books and since we needed to create the slip case with new text, we enlisted artist, Stephen Tashjian to recreate his mother’s script. It’s hard to tell which writing is Stephen's and which is Andy's Mom's.

(via Artspace)