Laurent Benaïm's Erotic Photography Gets Monumental Taschen Monograph
Laurent Benaïm, a photographer from Paris born in 1965, has been a professional in the field since 1982. During the early 1990s, he shifted back to erotic photography in response to a downturn in advertising photography, employing the 19th-century gum bichromate printing method. His expansive black-and-white images highlight nude figures with a soft, grainy texture, which mitigates the overt nature of sexual activities. Benaïm's studio located in Montreuil became a space for amateur models to delve into their fantasies, with participation reaching up to thirty individuals. His artwork provokes contemplation on both modern and historical themes. His prints have been showcased in prominent European galleries and at the Kinsey Institute. A monograph titled "Faire l'amour" (216 pages, €40), curated by Dian Hanson, has been published by Taschen.
Key facts
- Laurent Benaïm is a Parisian photographer born in 1965.
- He has been a professional photographer since 1982.
- In the early 1990s, he shifted exclusively to erotic photography.
- He uses the 19th-century gum bichromate printing technique.
- His prints are large-format black-and-white, dimly lit, with black predominating.
- His studio is in Montreuil, a Paris suburb.
- Models are non-professional and come from all over France.
- Scenes can involve up to thirty participants simultaneously.
- His work has been exhibited in European galleries and at the Kinsey Institute for Sexual Research in Bloomington, Indiana.
- Taschen published a monograph titled 'Faire l'amour' with 300 photos, curated by Dian Hanson.
- The book costs €40 and has 216 pages.
Entities
Artists
- Laurent Benaïm
- Dian Hanson
- Ferruccio Giromini
Institutions
- Taschen
- Kinsey Institute for Sexual Research
Locations
- Paris
- Montreuil
- France
- Bloomington
- Indiana