EP 025: MICHAEL HALSBAND

01/15/19 • 72 min

On the show today is the photographer Michael Halsband, whose work I first saw in Surf Book, a collaborative project with legendary surfer Joel Tudor examining surf culture through the people who built it. From there I began exploring his extensive body of portraits of artists and musicians from Klaus Nomi & Bernice Abbott to David Byrne & James Brown. After studying photography at SVA, Michael got the chance to photograph Keith Richards for the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, after which he joined the Stones on their 1981 Tattoo You tour. Upon returning to New York, Michael made what was to become his most famous photograph, one that I imagine many of you have seen. The 1985 portrait of Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat wearing boxing shorts and gloves, arms crossed, looking straight into camera against a clean white background. Originally created as a promotional poster for a collaborative show between the two artists, it became the iconic image of one of art’s great partnerships.

I got to sit down with have tea with Michael in the same studio where that photograph was made. You can also see my portrait of Michael in the studio at www.williamjesslaird.com/imageculture as well as on Instagram @william.jess.laird and @image.culture

This show is produced by Sarah Levine, our music is by Jack and Eliza. If you like the show help us grow by leaving us a rating and sharing it with a friend. Thanks for listening.

You can see much of Michael’s work at his website michaelhalsband.com

This show is produced by Sarah Levine, our music is by Jack and Eliza. If you like the show help us grow by leaving us a rating and sharing it with a friend. Thanks for listening.

You can see much of Michael’s work at his website michaelhalsband.com

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EP 024: WENDY GOODMAN

My guest is the iconic writer and editor Wendy Goodman, whose new book May I Come In? is out now with Abrams Press. Having spent her career at publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times Magazine, House & Garden, and most recently New York Magazine, where she has served as Design Editor since 1997, Wendy has profiled a most interesting group of individuals through their private homes. She lives by the idea that a house never lies and that few things are more fascinating than the opportunity to see how people live during their private hours. From Gloria Vanderbilt to Richard Avedon, Tony Duquette to Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Turner and Valentino, the new book is a retrospective of her work, and, as she puts it, an ode to the golden age of magazines. Profusely illustrated with work from an exceptional group of photographers, it offers a rare glimpse into some extraordinary lives. But ultimately, what makes the book so compelling is how personal it is. It’s a book of relentless search, full of risk and anxieties, and at the end we see how perfectly a space can serve as metaphor for the self. It’s much more than just a book of interiors.

I’d like to thank Wendy Goodman, as well as Lauren Starke, Gabby Fisher, and the entire team at Abrams and New York Magazine. This show is produced by Sarah Levine. Our music is by Jack and Eliza. Remember to head over to williamjesslaird.com/imageculture to see my portrait of Wendy as well as my photographs of all our guests. You can also find them on Instagram @william.jess.laird and @image.culture . If you like this show help us grow by leaving us a rating, writing a review and sharing the show with a friend. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of May I Come In? available wherever you buy books. It makes a great gift for the holidays. Thanks so much for listening!

Find May I Come In? online at https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/may-i-come-in_9781419732461/

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EP 026: ADAM CHARLAP HYMAN

My guest is Adam Charlap Hyman, principle at the architecture and design firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero, which he cofounded in 2014. Adam’s work is grounded in a deeply considered approach to all aspects of the built environment, creating spaces imbued with a rich sense of history and narrative. His work ranges from residential interiors to art galleries, furniture, opera sets, and a new collection of abaca rugs, wallpapers, and fabrics in collaboration with Schumacher and Patterson Flynn Martin.

Recently Adam designed an exhibition at Friedman Benda Gallery entitled Blow Up in which he and curator Felix Burrichter transformed the gallery into a life-sized dollhouse, creating architectural elements through scaled up prints of Adam’s watercolor illustrations. The imagined spaces were then furnished with the work of a dreamlike roster of contemporary artists and designers.

At the center of Adam’s work is the idea of Gesamtkunstwerk, the total work of art. He has a unique way of understanding interiors that goes far beyond the decorative. Instead, his spaces feel as if they are part of an ever-expanding narrative, often funny, full of twists, and always fascinating.

I’d like to thank Adam Charlap Hyman as well as Andre Herrero, Alex Charlap Hyman, Juliet Breza, Felix Burrichter, and Friedman Benda. Remember, you can see my portrait of Adam on Instagram @william.jess.laird and @image.culture as well as at our website williamjesslaird.com/imageculture This show is produced by Sarah Levine and our music is by Jack and Eliza. Thanks for listening.

Find Charlap Hyman & Herrero at www.ch-herrero.com and on Instagram at @ch_herrero