Paul & Ville

“THE WHOLE IDEA OF THIS PROJECT STARTED WHEN I MET VILLE KINOS, WHO CAME OVER TO MY STUDIO, IN 2010, TO DO A WHOLE WEEKEND OF SHOOTING. IN THE CAR AFTER PICKING HIM UP HE MENTIONED THAT BESIDES MODELING, HE WAS VERY MUCH INTO POLE DANCING AS WELL. NOT WAITING FOR MY RESPONSE HE ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT THE EROTIC STUFF YOU USUALLY SEE. 'YOUTUBE' HAD TO HELP OUT TO CONVINCE ME, SHOWING ME AMAZING GUYS IN REAL GOOD SHAPE, DOING FANTASTIC ACROBATIC STUFF ON AND AROUND A POLE. I WAS HOOKED TO THE ACROBATIC THING, AND SOON MADE A TRIP TO LIVERPOOL TO MEET PAUL CURRAN AND VILLE KINOS, BOTH ACROBATS DOING POLE DANCING, SILK AND ACTS WITH A HOOP." -FARRAND BLOCH-

Farrand Bloch is not the kind of guy to walk away from a challenge. We have already seen that in the stunning work he did with Niels (Meat Niels) and of course Ville Kinos. But if you need more convincing, simply go and visit Farrand’s website. His self portraits alone already show the extra ordinary talent and skills of this handsome photographer from The Hague, The Netherlands. And so, when he met Ville Kinos for the first time and learned he was not only a skilled model but also a talented acrobatic pole dancer, Farrand was immediately interested in doing something with that concept.

Of course, if you are a BeautifulMag regular, you probably recall some of the work Farrand Bloch did with Ville Kinos in 2011. Starting with his solo modeling work and followed by more acrobatic shots. Solo and with his artistic partner Paul Curran. But what makes today’s article so special is that now, for the first time, those fantastic results of Farrand’s collaboration with both Ville and Paul are bundled in a sublime photo book. Which at the same time is also the very first time Farrand Bloch’s work is immortalized in book form. Far too late if you ask me, but definitely worth the wait. And what makes today’s article even more special is that Farrand was so kind to share with us portraits not only from the book, but also some that didn’t make the final selection but are most certainly deserving of publication.

About Paul & Ville, Farrand says the following: “It's a selection of the best images of shoots done in a Liverpool dance studio and my own photo studio in Holland. Paul and Ville are both acrobats living in Liverpool. I had no plans to do a book on those two guys. I had managed to grab hold on other acrobats willing to pose for me, nude or semi nude. Slowly I am getting an interesting collection of images which could make this great big book of sexy acrobats I was planning to do. However editing the images of Paul and Ville, I found out that there was a story line lurking. So why not make this into a separate book first.” That storyline is as follows: two acrobats with opposite characters, one very out-going the other a bit more quiet. The elegant body of Paul next to the chunky masculine of Ville, making a real good contrast. Are they brothers or maybe lovers? Friends or competitors? All those elements are captured in Farrand Bloch’s Paul & Ville. A photobook that, partly thanks to the great acrobatic skills of the two men, looks almost casual and entirely natural in image.

Farrand Bloch likes it big… and so he choose to go for a large format publication. “I wanted to have a deluxe feeling with big pictures. As if you are walking through a private gallery,” he explains. Paul & Ville is a real must for the ones who love contemporary male photography. Very different from the usual photo books, Paul & Ville truly does tell a visual story and if you aren’t captured by the fantastic acrobatic poses of the two men, than for sure by the stunning photography by Farrand Bloch. “I am very much inspired acrobatic men,” Farrand comments, “and my hunt on them is becoming a real quest. There will be another book on my acrobats definitely.” –BM-

Farrand Bloch’s first photobook Paul & Ville is a large square format book with 32 pages, full color. Available for purchase via Farrand Bloch’s website and Blurb.com.

FARRAND BLOCH | BEAUTIFULMAG

Comments

[iama{GAY}tekeeper]

LOVE the synergy!