29.5.10

Artist: Adi Nes



I am in love with Adi Nes’ photography. Perhaps it is because we have similar taste in men. I am guessing he is also drawn to the muscular build and Jew curls that are depicted in his David and Jonathan.

Adi Nes, is a forty four year old Israeli artist photographer. Despite his poor upbringing, his parents, both Sephardic Jews, nurtured his creative side. Upon completing his army service in the Israeli National Defense he enrolled accidentally in a photography program. Heavily influenced by his cultural surrounds in Israel, Nes found his calling in creating mesmerizing photographs that are intensely layered.
The first time I saw a 38’’ by 48’’ photograph of Nes’ in a gallery I could barely tear my eyes away. Nes is an intensely talented artist with a box full of tools that he implements like a true craftsman. Lighting and shadow, key elements of photography- every photographer’s best friend and worst enemy, is a large part of Nes’ genius. His photographs light up, heightening his subject matters mythical and saintly allusions. His models fascinate, surrounded by a dirty glow they are at the same time untouchable yet unmistakably human. The value of his photos intensifies the ying yang effect drawing the eyes between the darkness and the glow.



His staging, a throwback to the foundation of photography as art, when photography was staged in order to accommodate the longer exposure time, is undoubtedly time consuming. Nes clearly invests much by way of time and cost before shooting his first set. Even selection of his models is a testament to his flawless eye for choosing a part that complements the whole. The staging is integral to Nes’ talent of combining space and shape choosing locations for his shoots that give his photos a three dimensional effect. Whether there are objects in the forefront, literal levels using steps or figurative levels, his works create a simultaneous sense of shallow and deep spaces within his stage. In carefully selecting his costumes for his models Nes creates a timeless tale that transpires boundaries. He blurs the line between 'what is' and creates an image that is intensified with the cognitive knowledge that there exists a contrast. He uses homeless people to depict biblical heroes and prisoners to represent success.

Nes’ art is captured in a photograph that takes into account all aspects of visual and design elements within photography; combines them with his own personal stories, the personal stories of his models, tales from biblical, mythological and contemporary times; and creates masterpieces.

10 comments:

essbesee said...

"prisoners to represent success" - how interesting. beautiful images.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Thank you for sharing him with us. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

thenextarrow said...

last supper reenactments always seem super cliche to me, but that one is very cool. thanks for sharing, ren.

xo Alison

Mama Gone Green said...

I love taking pictures and recently, I have been trying to go see more photos in the galleries around town. Thanks for introducing me to Adi and I am excited to check out some more of his work!

jacqueline said...

WOW ren his work is truely gorgeous! You did such a wonderful write up on him! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration with us! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

Bossy Betty said...

Love learning about other photographers! Thanks for this post!

Cashon&Co said...

wow. he is AMAZING. SERIOUSLY.
the jewish army in the last supper pose. wow! And the homeless pictures.... so gritty, deep, emotional... the boy in the shopping cart? I can see why you said you couldn't peel your eyes off it.... I think an artist is truly sucessful when he evokes emotions in his viewers. Whether happy or sad.... that is not an easy thing to do without it looking contrived. and He is amazing. you are right. And that last photo of the soldier flexing his muscles yet he is wearing his traditional yamaka is such a contrast between physical beauty and religious beauty.... just great. thank you for sharing his talents, this is where I find blogs wonderful that I would of never heard of this photographer if not for the blog world!!! Happy Memorial Day dear!

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

Great pictures, wow...

xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls

Clair said...

Stirring photographs!!!

My Little Space said...

Oooo... I love the 2nd & the 4th pictures alot! They're telling me stories behind the pictures! Love it.
Regards, Kristy

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