Keith Skeel

I'm not totally sure why I've included this in my 'blog', but I feel this gentleman worthy of note.  The only way I can think of describing him is as an antique 'super-collector' and a purveyor of antiquarian eccentricities.  Having started from humble beginnings as a small time seller of 'funny things' at Bermondsy market in London, he has become a serious collector with a passion for beautiful, gutsy, dramatic and amusing things, a highly acclaimed 'interior decorator's decorator', and has done work for Donna Karen, Versace and Ralph Lauren.

I've been to his shop in London, and also went to the sale of his house and the totality of its contents in Suffolk (he also sold his house in New York, and all of its contents).  This was the first time he had ever sold any of his personal collection.  The shop is fantastic, but what was in the house was amazing.  Nothing was normal, everything had its own quirky idiosyncrasies, humour and wit (I think it is for this reason that I've included him). Antiques are, after all, 'sick' (in my opinion).

Julien LaChaussee - Photographer

I haven't got loads to say about this French homme, but I like the way he presents his subjects, and the sometimes conflicting content of his images.  Have a look at his website for more.

Oliviero Toscani

An Italian photographer and art director, who trained at the Dada and Bauhaus influenced Zurich Design School (I believe you can particularly see the Dada influence in his work).  He is notorious for his work with Benetton, with whom he abandoned any form of conventional advertising photography, and instead flouted taboos associated with race, war, sex, religion, death etc.  The campaigns use juxtaposition as the main tool to create meaning by using socially unmentionable subjects to create awareness of different issues, and virtually all created some sort of public outcry. 

The most infamous images included the dying David Kirby (of AIDS) and images of death-row prisoners, which due to the backlash from the victims families caused Benetton to lose a major contract, and Toscani to finish his tenure with the company. 

At least his campaigns kept everyone talking about Benetton, and he dared show the unmentionables.  What taboos are left...?

Nolita - Anti Anorexia Ad

This is an advert photographed by the scandalous photographer Oliviero Toscani (more on him later), for the fashion brand Nolita, and was shown in all Italian  cities and world media.  There is nothing shy about the image, with the fact that the model is shown fully naked only adding to the controversy and impact of the ad.  A (semi) clothed model just wouldn't have the same effect (obviously).

However, my problem with this ad is its target market - who is the ad aimed at? Anorexic people, people who are potential anorexic, or non anorexic people?  The reason I question this is because surely anorexic people don't mind what their bodies look like - they only care about being as skinny as possible, and therefore this arguably renders this ad ineffective (if that is the target market...).  Most potential anorexics would look to the poster and start comparing the unfortunate model to them - she would them become a 'body' target, someone they aspired to, rendering this ad ineffective.  It would therefore seem that this is aimed at those who aren't anorexic...

Gay Police Association Advert (2006ish)

This fairly provocative ad was welcomed by a barrage of complaints when it appeared in 2006.  Groups such as Christian Watch and the Evangelical Alliance claimed that the ad was 'derogatory, offensive and irresponsible by implying that Christians were responsible for most such homophobic incidences'.

The shock factor here is the combination of the images of blood and the bible (and the implication of violence), things that aren't usually linked.  The fact that blood is used implies that all of the incidences of homophobia are physically violent (as opposed to verbal, say), but I say why not, the ad was meant to shock, and there's no point in any half measures in this case.  The more complaints the better. 

Alain De Botton - The Architecture of Happiness

This book flooded me with joy when I read it the first time. Everything he talks about provokes more philosophical questions which he is sure to discuss as you read on. He answered so many questions I had about so many things - the content here is obviously centered around architecture, but the opinions and ruses can be applied to so many other aspects of design. Well worth reading.

Jonathan Root - Photographer

Lovely composition, content, colour and with a delicate seasoning of abstract, great stuff. Have a look at his website.