timeless this name Pirelli Calendar 2024, which marks two important moments in the history of an object that was born as a marketing product and eventually became an icon of modern culture. It’s 2024 fiftieth edition calendar, but also remember 60th anniversary of the project born in 1964 at the behest of marketing
The English arm of Pirelli, which commissioned Beatles portraitist Robert Freeman to create a work that has since become a staple of glamor and fashion.
“Eternal” history
For several years, due to the global economic crisis, the publication “Cal”, as it is called in the Anglo-Saxon world, is suspended, and for this reason the number of issues does not correspond to the number of birthdays. The 50th edition is signed for the first time by a very young African artist-photographer. Prince Gyasi, was born 28 years ago in Accra, the capital of Ghana. “Timeless” means “timeless, eternal, endless”something that transcends the historical moment and has universal value.
In the past, great photographers signed to The Cal have often been asked to describe their era, from Richard Avedon to Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Steve McCurry, Helmut Newton, Peter Beard, Bruce Weber, Albert Watson, Paolo. Roversi to Annie Leibovitz and Emma Summerton. Gyasi, on the other hand, had to use their color artto fix eternal images in the calendar.
Back to basics
First of all, the African artist defines the qualities of the characters he photographed as timeless: all black people “who have already left a mark, authoritative in their fields. For me, they are almost a natural resource, I just need to paint a scene around them that is just as timeless.” And Gyasi is sure that his message is timeless. “because we need to go back to our roots, find out what gifts we have, and learn how to make them bear fruit for others.” Admire those who know how to conquer time and the rules imposed by society, “people who can make normal things that seem unusual to us”. In the depths of his soul, Prince Gyasi is convinced that he himself is above time: “I create works of art that are eternal in themselves.” More than a photographer, young African actually loves to be called “artist” and, not surprisingly, his works are present in the most important collections of contemporary art in the world.such as the Pinault Foundation.
The main characters of the calendar
“I am the first black and African artist to sign the Pirelli calendar” explains Prince Gyasi, who took his first photos at 16 with an iPhone. “It gave me the opportunity to highlight some of the people who have inspired me over the years, both as a child and as an adult. Representation and culture are very important to me, so for the first time in the history of the Calendar, I decided that part of my project would take place in my country, Ghana.” British actor photographed in London Idriss Elba and Nigerian singer Tiva Savagehow timeless Naomi Campbellactress Angela Bassett, Amanda Gorman, young American poet, protagonist of 2021 with her words and yellow Prada coat at the inauguration ceremony of President Joe Biden at the White House, two other Americans, writer Margo Lee Shetterly and singer teyana taylor, English singer and songwriter James Samueland in Ghana they photographed the king of Ashanti Otumfuo Osel Tutu IIwho in 2024 celebrates the 25th anniversary of the settlement at the head of his people, the painter Amoaco Boafo and football player Marcel Desaillyboth Ghanaian and the Jamestown kid he represents Prince Gyasi as a child.
In the next issue of Auto, you’ll find a behind-the-scenes story from the Pirelli calendar in London, where Prince Gyasi, with pink pigtails on his head and square-toed silver cowboy boots, led a team of 60 people. and some of the main characters of his work.
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