Altars have been built; entire wars have been waged; and pages upon pages of lovers' thoughts have been written, all in tribute to the female form.
And that means that Antwerp, Belgium-based photographer Marc Lagrange is in good company. He's dedicated himself to exposing our eyes and desires to the curvature of a woman.
Lagrange will display his work in a solo exhibit held at LMNT Arts Gallery in the heart of Wynwood. The event, hosted by NAC Gallery, is a landmark for both Lagrange and Miami -- it will be the first solo show in America for the internationally iconic European fashion and art photographer.
Since the '80s, Lagrange has used photography as a medium to seduce. His subjects of choice are the femme fatale and the muse, paired with themes of eroticism and intimacy. In an industry where sex sells and art sometimes takes a backseat, Lagrange's manipulation of sensuality sets him apart from other photographers.
"It's fine art nude. It has a higher fashion influence and element to it," Vincent Harrison, co-founder of NAC Gallery, said of Lagrange's style.
After being introduced to Lagrange's work in Bridgehampton, New York, Harrison felt it was time to bring his unique talent to Miami.
"In Europe, they're very free, so nudity on TV, movies [and] commercials is normal and nudity in photography is not a big deal. [In America] it is, but Miami being such an international city and such a sexy city...it seems like a perfect place to launch it," Harrison said.
The body language in his portraits find a unique balance between ferocious and delicate. Every image is carefully arranged, from props to scouted personal locations and models, but the result looks impossibly effortless.
The exhibit is an outright temptation to what normal standards deem should be kept behind closed doors, but Lagrange is ready to bear it all for Miami in large format and Polaroid works, some of which are more conservative than others.
The preview reception will take place Friday, November 9 at 7 p.m. followed by the gala opening Saturday, November 10 at LMNT Arts Gallery, 59 NW 36th St., Miami. Call NAC Gallery at 1-805-272-5831.
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